"How To..." Battery Q&A
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December 28, 2021
Golf Cart Battery FAQ
Your questions answered regarding anything golf cart batteries and chargers. -
October 05, 2012
Golf is a pleasurable sport as players can test their skills while enjoying remarkable scenery and light physical activity. A golf cart will enhance a day spent on the course since players can easily zip from hole to hole. However, a golf cart battery can quickly mar a pleasant day on the course when it fails to start the motorized vehicle.
Assess the Golf Cart Battery
Before completing a jump-start on a battery, players should inspect the device to make sure the cart’s connections are complete. In addition, players should check the battery for corrosion on the cables along with the contact points.
In order to remain safe during a battery assessment, players should turn the vehicle’s engine off and wear gloves. Keep in mind that golf cart batteries feature battery acid, which can cause burns if it touches human skin. During the battery assessment, players should use a wrench to shift the contacts, and with a rubbing alcohol doused towel,
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April 18, 2012
Dead Batteries...The Joy of Children
It was my turn to take my son to school today. As we prepared to get in our red Subaru Legacy my son asks, "Dad, did you charge the battery yet?" I had completely forgotten to do so. The battery went dead the prior week after our youngest daughter found an unlocked door and managed to flip every switch, turn every dial, and twist every lever. Needless to say, the lights and everything else that draws power were left on without us noticing.
I had a PulseTech Xtreme charger in the garage and connected it to the terminals. Nothing. The charger indicated it was connected to
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October 20, 2011
Lithium-ion batteries are used in an array of consumer electronics, from laptops, smart phones, and even electric cars. While the current lithium-ion batteries are good, they will get better. The reason can be credited to researchers who have found a way to have the batteries store more energy.
According to a recent article in Science Daily, the anode is a critical component in these batteries. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Berkeley Lab have designed a new type of anode that can absorb eight times the lithium of current designs. Even more promising, it has maintained its greatly increased energy capacity after over a year of testing and countless charge-discharge cycles. And additional good news with it is that the new anodes are made from low-cost materials, compatible with
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October 13, 2011
A battery not achieving or holding a desired charge is a common complaint with consumers for anything electronic. Whether it is a battery for a toy, scooter, golf cart, boat, RV, laptop, or a hose of other electronics items, customers rightfully expect for their battery to produce a charge that makes the equipment is for run.
We have discussed previously that batteries have a life and that no battery—regardless of the brand or quality—lasts forever. But sometimes, consumers unwittingly shorten their battery’s life by using the battery improperly. When that happens, the end result could be a battery that is damaged, and in some cases, could even affect the appliance or equipment itself.
Common reasons why batteries fail:
- A battery is exposed to extreme weather conditions—heat, cold or moisture.
- Battery is attempted to be used in a different way than what it was made for. Many batteries are designed for a specific product and using
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September 15, 2011
Selling batteries is what we do, but when we saw the article this week from Techlicious about potential techie products that are possible dangers to children, we wanted to pass it on to our families.
Topping No. 4 on the hazards list is "button cell batteries", touted as potential poison pills. Since 1985, there have been 3,500 injuries and nine deaths. These small button-sized batteries are commonly used in items like remote controls, toys, light-up shoes, digital ear thermometers, and countless other products.
The danger here According to the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., is that children, usually toddler-age, swallow these batteries. The batteries can get stuck
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August 18, 2011
You may have a UPS power source, even though you may not instantly be familiar with the name. UPS stands for uninterruptible power supply, and the battery-powered units are intended to provide emergency power to a load when the input power source fails.
While UPS power supplies are not limited to a particular style or type of equipment, they are most commonly used by consumers to protect computers. With companies, it may be for computers, data centers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment where a sudden, unexpected surge or power disruption could cause a loss of data, business disruption, or even threaten personal safety. Sizes of UPS units vary so they can provide the needed backup ranging from individuals to a business, building or even city. Needless to say, maintaining the battery for these units is critical in the event that the UPS is required.
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August 10, 2011
[caption id="attachment_40" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Smart Genius Chargers"][/caption]Customers frequently ask, "Why do I need a charger?" Rather than replying sarcastically, "Why do we need to eat healthy and exercise?" I choose to provide a little education that will hopefully help save our customers money and frustration in the future.
Lead acid batteries will self discharge when left sitting unused. Discharged batteries rapidly undergo a process called sulfation. You see, when batteries are discharged the active lead material bonds with the sulfate and electrolyte forming sulfate crystals. These sulfate crystals harden and
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May 05, 2011
If you’ve popped your hood and taken a close look at your car’s sealed lead acid battery lately, chances are you’ve noticed a build-up (unless your battery is new) of corrosion caused by acid condensation. The crusty-looking whitish or greenish appearance is actually easy to clean, and most likely you already have everything you need. But while it is easy enough to accomplish, you’ll need to make sure you keep safety protocols in mind so that you don’t hurt yourself—or your car—in the process.
While some batteries may be so corroded that they require disconnection of the cable clamps or terminals, we’re not recommending that and instead talking about general maintenance and cleaning that you can do while keeping your car’s battery still in place. A severely corroded battery may require additional maintenance and cleaning beyond what we are discussing here today.
Supplies:
- Safety goggles/protective glasses
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April 21, 2011
Why do batteries get old and fail, and is there any way to avoid this? While it would be amazing to have a battery that will last the lifetime of your device or equipment, the truth is that no battery lasts forever. The key cause is sulfation.
Sulfation occurs when the electrolyte solution begins to break down. Sulfur in the solution essentially leaches from the electrolyte and sticks to the lead plates as converted lead sulfuric crystals. These crystals coat the plates and prevent them from doing their job the next time you power up. At the same time, the electrolyte solution becomes weaker because it then lacks the sulfuric acid that has converted to crystals, which then interferes with the ability of the battery to accept, hold and deliver a charge.
Stage One of sulfation may be an initial form that reduces quick starting but will be absorbed back into the electrolyte when charged. With more time, sulfation progresses and a battery may require a greater charge. The final