HGV Flat Batteries: What To Do When A Truck Has No Charge

It’s a common problem HGV truck drivers face on the road or before a shift – HGV flat batteries. A truck that won’t start can cause all sorts of problems, from missed delivery deadlines to being stranded on the side of the road. In this article, we’ll explore some solutions to HGV flat batteries, including products that can help and safety tips for connecting a charger or jump starter. Keep reading for more information!

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What to do when your HGV truck battery goes flat

If your HGV truck battery goes flat, there are a few things you can do to try and get it going again. One option is to use a charger or jump starter to give the battery a boost. Be sure to follow the safety instructions carefully when using these products, as they can be dangerous if not used correctly.

If the batteries are flat at the beginning of your shift and your company has a maintenance workshop, you can ask for assistance and have the batteries checked, replaced, charged, or boost started. If you’re on your own and don’t have access to a charger or jump starter, you may need to call for assistance or wait until a mechanic starts their shift to help.

If you are mechanically minded and have access to tools or to a battery booster, you can check that the truck’s battery terminals are tight and in good condition, or jump-start the truck yourself.

Safety considerations boosting or jump starting truck batteries

Boosting truck batteries can be dangerous if not done correctly. Follow these safety tips when connecting a charger or jump starter to truck batteries:

Always remove the key from the ignition before connecting or disconnecting any cables
Disconnect items such as a truck sat nav or dashcam from the electric supply within the truck
Be aware of potential sparks when connecting cables, safety glasses, and gloves can provide some protection when connecting these cables
Make sure the battery is disconnected before working on it such as cleaning terminals or checking distilled water levels
Ensure you connect any booster cables to the correct terminals on the battery- red to positive, black to negative, some configurations of truck batteries can be confusing so if you are unsure leave it to a professional
Ensure any booster cables are long enough to reach the batteries, and have the correct amperage rating for trucks, this is especially important if you are using another vehicle to jump-start the truck
Make sure crocodile clips are securely attached to the terminals and the jump leads are not too tightly stretched, this is because the vehicle can rock slightly when the ignition is engaged to start the engine, which could cause a short if the leads pop off
Ask your company to provide you with training if required to enable you to jump start or boost start a truck safely

Items to help truck drivers with HGV flat batteries

If you’re having trouble with HGV truck batteries, there are a few products that can help. These include:

Battery chargers – these can be used to charge the battery or provide a boost if it’s flat

Battery boosters – these are used to start a vehicle whose battery is flat

Jump leads – these are used to jump start another vehicle’s battery

If you’re having trouble with your HGV truck battery, it’s important to find a solution as soon as possible. These products can help you get your truck going again and avoid any potential problems on the road.

Tips for keeping your HGV truck batteries in good condition

In addition to using a battery charger, booster, or jump leads, there are a few other things you can do to help keep your HGV truck batteries in good condition:

Avoid leaving electrical items on for long periods of time when the engine of the truck is not running, this can cause the batteries to lose charge
Make sure the battery is not overloaded, if it is, the truck won’t start, try turning off unnecessary items when not required
Regularly clean the battery terminals to remove any corrosion that can prevent power from flowing freely
Regularly check the leads that are attached to the batteries for wear or corrosion and ensure they do not become trapped in battery covers which could cause them to short out against a chassis

What to do when the truck has been started

After jump starting or boost starting truck batteries, it is a good idea to leave the truck running to allow the batteries to take some charge, turn off anything unnecessary such as the lights, radio, truck sat nav, or any other devices.

Once the truck has been running for a period of time, turn the truck off and restart it to ensure the batteries have replenished some charge, this is important to establish that there are no issues with the batteries or the alternator charging them.

It is always better to know you are going out onto the road with a truck that will start rather than get to your first unload to find it won’t start again!