Monthly Archives: April 2011

Why is it that batteries to motorcycles, ATVs and even boats don’t seem to last? This is a very common complaint we hear, and one of the most obvious culprits seems to be sporadic use of the battery. Many pleasure boaters, for example, haven’t even taken their boat out since the last days of summer last year. Yet they get into the boat when warm weather arrives and are seemingly surprised that their battery isn’t quite as ready for boating action as the passengers.

Batteries will discharge at a rate of approximately 2-5 percent each month while not being used. While use does indeed keep a battery operating at peak capacity more consistently, a low battery can’t be fully charged by simply being cranked up on occasion—no matter the distance or length of time.

If a motorcycle or equipment is not going to be used for a period of 30 days or longer, consider placing the battery on a 2 amp or less smart maintenance charger for 24-48 hours every month (even better leave it connected indefinitely).

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 stage is when

It’s far from being on the marketplace, but Science News is reporting that a battery is being tested with a three-dimensional nano-structure for battery cathodes that allows for dramatically faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity.

Batteries that can store significant energy and release it fast and then recharge quickly are desirable for the up-and-coming electric vehicles. In addition, they are sought after in the medical field for equipment, lasers and in military applications.

The performance of traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries degrades significantly when they are rapidly charged or discharged. Making the active material in the battery a thin film allows for very fast charging and discharging, but reduces the capacity to nearly zero because the active material lacks volume to store energy.

The test design essentially wraps a thin film into three-dimensional structure, achieving both high active

There have been numerous reports about the battery market and how the tragic earthquake that has devastated parts of Japan could lead to a shortage. While it is true that Japan is home to numerous production sites, for not just batteries, but components for computers, cars and other technology, analysts are saying that consumers should not be adversely affected.

Most companies have a supply buffer already in place, and other plants throughout the world are stepping up production efforts to meet continued demand for Lithium-ion batteries especially, which are used to power a wide variety of consumer devices including smart phones and laptops. Battery manufacturers are also turning to alternative components sources besides those in the devastated parts of Japan to ensure supply remains constant.

The Japanese company Kureha, for one, which supplies a critical component that is used in lithium-ion batteries and in batteries used for electric vehicles, previously held over 70 percent of the