Page 12 - Batteries

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 them interchangeably when they shouldn’t be can cause damage.

According to a recent article in Science Daily, batteries could get a boost from a discovery that increases power, energy density and safety while dramatically reducing charge time.

A team led by Hansan Liu, Gilbert Brown and Parans Paranthaman of the Department of Energy lab's Chemical Sciences Division found that titanium dioxide creates a highly desirable material that increases surface area and features a fast charge-discharge capability for lithium ion batteries. Compared to conventional technologies, the differences in charge time and capacity are striking.

"We can charge our battery to 50 percent of full capacity in six minutes while the traditional graphite-based lithium ion battery would be just 10 percent charged at the same current," Liu said.

Compared to commercial lithium titanate material, the ORNL compound also boasts a higher capacity -- 256 vs. 165 milliampere hour per gram -- and a sloping discharge voltage that is good for controlling state of charge. This characteristic

While momentum continues on the prospect of battery-powered automobiles in the future, a new study indicates that they aren’t currently a cost-effective way to reduce emissions and cut oil use. Rather, utilizing hybrids and plug-in cars that can go short distances on electricity still receive a battery return—at least for now.

Battery technology breakthroughs, a more efficient electric power grid and higher oil costs would actually be needed to justify the expense, weight and assembly-related costs of “large battery pack” cars, according to the survey, as reported in Bloomberg on Sept. 26.

“It’s not that large battery packs are bad, it’s that they are not providing as many benefits per dollar,” Jeremy Michalek, an engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh who led the review, said in an interview. “Ordinary hybrids increase fuel economy substantially, and the incremental cost of those systems is getting relatively small.”

That by no means that research on battery

We have been writing weekly blogs about our quality batteries and how Impact Battery is your source for your power needs of all kinds, but this week we wanted to talk about why ordering batteries online makes sense.

Studies of consumer buyer trends continue to show how more and more people are purchasing online. Reasons are simple: consumers don’t have to drive around and “hunt” for a particular item they seek. Rather, they point and click, are able to read about the item from the comfort of their own home, are able to shop for prices and quality, and then know that the item they want will be delivered to their doorstep.

We stock a wide variety of battery types that aren’t always readily available on retailers’ shelves, and our customers have told us they appreciate knowing that a particular replacement or backup battery is available and will be ready for shipping right away. Since scooter batteries and batteries for toys, boats, power sports, RVs, wheelchairs, and other equipment are sometimes

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 in children’s throats.  This is obviously a choking hazard but more often overlooked is the potential for severe chemical burns. "The effect starts within minutes of ingesting the battery and in as soon as two hours can burn a hole through the esophagus where it's lodged," says Dr. Toby Litovitz, executive

Labor Day is the traditional end to summer. And while there is still ample time to enjoy warm weather sports and activities across much of the country, thoughts are already turning to cooler temperatures and new activities it will bring.

If you are a fair weather boater and don’t plan to use your boat once cooler temperatures make their debut, it’s important to make the proper preparations for storing your battery so that it will serve you well when boating season returns.

While the preparations make take some time and effort, it’s much better than having to buy a new battery when you are ready to bring your boat out again next springtime.

Here are the basic steps in boat battery storage:

• Remove the caps off the top of wet cell batteries and check the water level in each cell. Add distilled water so that the level is full in every cell, and then replace the caps.
• Test your battery to make sure it is fully charged. If not, put it on the charger until it is fully charged.
• Clean and dry the

A futuristic concept called “reverse electrowetting” could change the way we recharge cell phones and other portable devices, but don’t look for it anytime soon.

Engineers are working on a new method to harvest the mechanical energy in our day-to-day strides, meaning they are looking at shoes to serve as a source for powering portable gadgets. The concept would utilize a micro-fluidic device consisting of thousands of micro-droplets that move past a nanotechnology-based film. The motion of the droplets would then be converted into an electric current. The idea is that you would have the energy to power devices whenever you choose to take a “power walk.”

Creators envision equipping special footwear with tiny mobile hotspots that are powered by the electricity-generating shoes. Researchers say in theory the shoes could generate up to 20 watts of electrical power.

While this additional convenience may sound appealing, it will have a long way to go before it is actually on shoe (or electronics)

The minute you buy your laptop battery, it begins on a countdown until it is spent. That should come as no surprise, as no battery lasts forever. Most laptop batteries last on average for about 3 to 5 years or about 1,000 charges, although some new ones may last longer. Scientists are always working on ways to extend a battery’s life.

Every time you charge your battery, you are diminishing the total capacity of the battery. Over time, the time between charging will be less. That’s due to the chemical reactions that take place in the battery to provide the charge. Eventually, it is simply time to get a new battery.

But there are ways to keep your battery at its optimal performance for a longer period of time. And, according to researchers who analyze battery life, one way is to regularly use your equipment. This isn’t just for laptops, but any other item that utilizes a battery. And if you are going to go without using it for a period of time, don’t be constantly charging the battery. Instead,

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.

At Impact Battery, we offer a selection of AGM sealed lead acid UPS batteries manufactured by Amstron and Universal

Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters may seem like the best thing ever invented for mobility-impaired individuals…up to the point where the battery dies. Unfortunately, it occurs more often than you think.

Often, users choose a battery based on price alone or don’t take in consideration that no battery lasts forever. That means, when it loses charge, you’re truly in a predicament, especially if you have to navigate a long distance or challenging terrain.

Batteries will definitely differ based on your wheelchair or scooter needs. While power wheelchairs are able to be operated without battery power, the rider may be unaccustomed or even physically or mentally unable in some cases to operate it effectively. And power wheelchair batteries add weight to the chair.

So, what should power wheelchair/scooter users consider when looking at a proper battery?

1. For starters, they need to carefully consider how much they utilize the chair and the distance that they typically utilize. There are