Why vehicle batteries don’t last in Nigeria

By Theodore Opara

Auto battery is one of the most important features in an automobile. It is a known fact that no automobile can function without a battery. The battery is used in starting a  vehicle. It also serves as a surge protector for cars’ computer and provides power for short term use of other parts like light, stereo, wipers GPS when the light is put off.

Auto batteries come in two classifications. The battery is available in sealed or unsealed both of which perform the same role in powering automobile. Sealed batteries are maintenance free while unsealed battery is filled with lead acid when the level drops. 

The lead acid battery comprises many plates placed in electrolyte solution which is made of 65percent water and 35percent sulphuric acid. The dry cell battery is sealed. Both types of batteries serve similar purposes.

Even electric vehicle are powered mainly by batteries which are recharged before any trip.

In Nigeria, there are many battery brands. Some are locally made while majority are imported from abroad. Most batteries in Nigeria are imported from Asia,mainly China and Korea. There are imported batteries from Japan, Europe and America too. 

Lifespan
Some batteries have lifespan of more than ten years while some do not serve up to two years. Batteries from Europe, America and Japan have longer lifespan followed by those from Korea.

Generally, China-made batteries do not deliver like the other but they are the most available in  Nigerian market. They are not as expensive as the others. One would be very lucky if Chinese made batteries serve up to a year and six months. 

Oftentimes motorists go for used batteries (also known as tokunbo batteries). Though they are cheaper than the Chinese batteries but they can serve up to two years or more depending on how lucky you are.

The major reason most batteries, especially Chinese made batteries don’t last long is that, it takes a long time to clear them at seaports. Sometimes most of them enter demurrage and the expiration starts counting. Even when one buys a supposedly new battery, one might not know if the battery had spent months and even years on the counter, before it was sold.

There has been instances where people buy brand new battery and it fails within three months. The main reason is as mentioned above. 

What to do
Also for a battery to last, the alternator must be in perfect working condition to support it. Motorists should check the condition of their alternator to guarantee lifespan of their batteries.

It has been also observed that some importers usually give customers wrong information about their batteries. Sometimes, 60amps battery could be sold as 75amps battery and made to carry higher load which it is not supposed to carry. This is very common with importers of China batteries. 

Long lasting America, European and Japanese batteries cost so much to acquire but it can last for upto ten years. Such batteries can be found in cars like Mercedes, BMW, and top Japanese brands.

But unfortunately most used car dealers usually replace the batteries with weak ones before selling the cars to unsuspecting buyers who hardly use them for few months, before they park up.

Currently, the used Auto battery market is booming in Nigeria due to the harsh economy. There are signs to identify when a battery is getting weak, which include ability to roll the engine. This kind of battery, when checked usually has swollen sides, an indication that the end has come for the battery.

source: Vanguard News