FOCUS Batteries 30 > continued from page 29 shops should encourage motorists to charge their car’s battery on a regular basis. And when a replacement is required, fitting exactly the right replacement is vital, one supplier says. Says Hella: “Counter staff should always check whether any extra high demand electrical equipment has been added to the vehicle, as this could affect the specification. In addition, offering to test every customer’s battery, irrespective of why they have come through the door, not only promotes good customer relations, it also opens up sales opportunities. “Bearing in mind that battery-related issues remain the most common cause of breakdown, whatever the season, battery health should be a priority for workshops. <strong>The</strong>refore, as a matter of course, technicians should carry out a battery check on every vehicle that enters their premises, which allows preventative maintenance to be undertaken. Alongside this practical action, technicians should be recommending that customers that use their vehicles infrequently or make only short journeys, charge the battery on a regular basis, which will substantially reduce the risk of electrical related breakdown.” Stop-start cars have given Yuasa’s battery testing kit offers workshops a useful extra revenue stream, and following on from its ‘Always Check the Battery’ programme around a quarter of cars (27 percent) require a battery recharge. <strong>The</strong> Workshop Testing Kit includes a tester that indicates a battery’s condition and provides a voltage reading – it also comes with some point-of-sale material to help generate extra income which can, in some cases, amount to 330,000 a year, Yuasa says. “<strong>The</strong>re are huge benefits to all workshops participating in our Always Check <strong>The</strong> Battery programme. Besides increasing battery sales and revenue, workshops will also dramatically the battery replacement market a serious shake-up and demand for them will continue to rise as more cars fitted with the system drift into the aftermarket. Recognising the market’s expansion Banner has introduced three Running Bull replacements, two (rated at 65 Ah and 75Ah) covering Ford vehicles fitted with stop-start systems. Another battery rated at 80Ah targets VAG cars. Banner batteries are fitted as OE by many car makers, including Aston Martin, Caterham, Lotus, Morgan and Rolls- Royce, while its EFB types are found in small- and mediumsized cars. “<strong>The</strong> importance AGM and EFB battery technology continues to gain momentum in the UK aftermarket and we are confident that the new Running Bull part numbers will help consolidate Banner’s position within what is an increasingly important sector. Furthermore, the new-to-range part numbers not only demonstrate Banner’s standing as a complete solutions provider, they reflect and support the Group’s growing OE pedigree, says Banner UK country manager, Lee Quinney. But just how frequently are stop-start batteries being replaced? According to Ecobat, not as frequently as perhaps they should be, as many drivers switch off their car’s stopstart system which in turn prolongs battery life. According to Ecobat: “Because most drivers tend to deactivate the start/stop system, Test each and every time increase their levels of customer service and satisfaction, which in turn drives loyalty and enhances their reputation,” says Yuasa marketing executive James Douglas. “In our experience, the main barriers to workshops implementing a battery testing regime can be the initial outlay for a battery analyser and a fear that testing will take up valuable workshop time. Our Complete Workshop Battery Testing Kit is a great solution. It not only provides workshops with an accurate tester, but also the information, guidance and point of sales material they need to make the scheme a success. <strong>The</strong> test itself takes less than a minute and is even quicker after some practice.” they are only making the number of starts the SLI battery is designed to make and are subsequently lasting significantly longer than was expected. “As a result, AGM batteries still do not feature greatly in the marketplace, despite the fact that most cars now use them. <strong>The</strong>refore, there is a danger that technicians and workshops could be unprepared and without the correct understanding and tools needed to communicate with these potentially complex AGM battery systems. Nevertheless, by the end of the year, 12 percent of battery replacements will be AGM, and by 2020, it is expected that this will increase to a fifth.” Ecobat offers a range of tools for testing, fault-finding and installing AGM batteries, saying any time a car is in for servicing or repairs, the battery should be tested as a matter of course. “A battery testing tool is an essential aid for workshops as it can provide accurate readings, without the need to remove the battery. <strong>The</strong> device also tells the condition of both AGM and SLI batteries meaning that technicians can determine the battery’s state of charge, starting capacity, electrical consumption and charging voltage, so that they can assess the health of the battery and, if necessary, apply the precise charging regime to keep it in the best possible condition,” Ecobat says. “Should an AGM battery need replacing, technicians can turn to another tool that will allow them install the battery with confidence. <strong>The</strong> battery validation tool (BVT) follows a ‘connect and reset’ process through a simple six-button/ LED graphics display, meaning they can view the order to validate the replacement. When connected, the BVT will go through the reset procedure to correctly introduce and integrate the battery into the vehicle’s electronic systems.” continued on page 33 > 29, 30, 33 Batteries.indd 2 19/10/2017 13:25
Improve customer service. Increase battery revenue. Nearly 40% of the vehicles you service or repair will need their battery replaced or recharged. Checking the battery of every vehicle entering your workshop will enhance your business reputation, improve customer satisfaction and drive loyalty. It could also increase your annual battery revenue significantly. Discover more at www.yuasa.com/checkbattery See the benefits for yourself. Get your complete Workshop Battery Testing Kit from participating Yuasa distributors. Includes GS Yuasa Battery tester, POS material and guide book. Always_Check_<strong>The</strong>_Battery_Final_Oct_A4.indd 1 05/09/2017 16:22:04 GS Yuasa FP.indd 1 17/10/2017 14:55
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