FAQs
Application Batteries
Battery
A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery.
A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one-way valves in place of open vents, which help the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
Generally, gel batteries are less tolerant of high heat and are charged at lower power than traditional or Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.
AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. The acid is absorbed by a very fine fiberglass mat, making the battery spill-proof. This enables shipment without hazardous material restrictions. The plates can be made flat to resemble a standard flooded lead acid pack in a rectangular case; they can also be wound into a cylindrical cell.
AGM batteries have very low self-discharge – from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for a much longer period without charging as compared to other lead acid batteries.
AGM’s do not have any liquid to spill, and even under severe overcharge conditions hydrogen emission is far below the 4% max specified for aircraft and enclosed spaces. The plates in AGM’s are tightly packed and rigidly mounted, and will withstand shock and vibration better than any standard battery.
AGM batteries are routinely chosen for remote sensors such as ice monitoring stations in the Arctic. AGM batteries, due to their lack of free electrolyte, will not crack and leak in these cold environments.
Deep cycle battery
A deep-cycle battery is a lead-acid battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. In contrast, starter batteries (e.g. most automotive batteries) are designed to deliver short, high-current bursts for cranking the engine, thus frequently discharging only a small part of their capacity. While a deep-cycle battery can be used as a starting battery, the lower “cranking amps” imply that an oversized battery may be required.
A deep cycle battery is designed to provide a steady amount of current over a long period of time. A deep cycle battery can provide a surge when needed, but nothing like the surge a car battery can. A deep cycle battery is also designed to be deeply discharged over and over again (something that would ruin a car battery very quickly). To accomplish this, a deep cycle battery uses thicker plates.
Anytime you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep-cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition. This includes vehicles with heavy electronic usage on-board and boats with on-board chargers, stereo and lights.
As a general rule of thumb, machines without alternators should use deep cycle batteries.
Starting: 3-12 months
Marine: 1-6 years
Golf cart: 2-7 years
AGM deep cycle: 4-8 years
Gelled deep cycle: 2-5 years
Deep cycle (L-16 type etc): 4-8 years
Rolls-Surrette premium deep cycle: 7-15 years
Industrial deep cycle (Crown and Rolls 4KS series): 10-20+ years.
Telephone (float): 2-20 years. These are usually special purpose “float service”, but often appear on the surplus market as “deep cycle”. They can vary considerably, depending on age, usage, care, and type.
NiFe (alkaline): 5-35 years
NiCad: 1-20 years
Lead-acid batteries do not suffer from memory effect. Many people think they have a memory because they experience a reduction in capacity or runtime as the battery ages. The active paste material in a lead-acid battery is a consumable item, similar to tread on a tire. Every time you cycle the battery, some of the paste is used up. As the battery ages, less of the active paste is available to charge and discharge, resulting in a reduced operating time. This situation can be more apparent in the case where a high-power or starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery is used in a deep-cycle application.
Depending on where you live and how you drive, the condition of your charging system, and a number of other factors, an automotive battery lasts about 2-3 years on average.
This means the battery goes through full charge cycles, is not subjected to extreme temperatures, is attached to a reliable and consistent charging system and is not providing power for a ton of accessories. Vehicles with heavy electronic usage (such as GPS, computer, video player) may experience shorter battery lifespan. Driving style can affect the reaction, too. Starting the car takes a huge jolt of electricity, so the charging system has to step in to replenish the battery.
If you have a short commute or take lots of brief trips (a common case in Singapore), the battery
This constant state of undercharge results in acid stratification. The result is a shorter battery life, even though the battery shows up as working on routine tests.
The best way to test a battery is with electronic testers available in the markets.
Check should be part of routine maintenance and conducted every time you have an oil change.
The age of the battery and the driver’s driving habits are factors to consider. Another important consideration is the physical appearance of the battery itself.
Corrosion or stains mean you have a leak. If your battery is covered in a case or insulating sleeve, remove it every once in a while to see what’s going on underneath. Look for buildup around the terminals and this buildup can be easily cleaned off with baking soda and water — just remember to use gloves and safety glasses while working.
The electrolytic solution is partially sulfuric acid, which is not gentle on the skin.
Finally, smell the battery, paying attention to rotten egg odors (sulfur) or the smell of the battery overheating.
Tell-tale signs of imminent replacements:
Age of battery (>2 years)
Frequent short commutes
Corrosion or stains on battery
Sulfur or overheating smells
Avoid making common mistakes like leaving your car lights on, or leaving the car untouched for long periods of time. Actions like these causes the battery to go flat very quickly.
In addition, drive your car regularly to give the batteries a good charge. Poor or improper maintenance of the car battery can corrode the cables connecting to the car batter and cause it to malfunction more quickly.
Batteries have a shelf life of between 18 to 24 months in Singapore’s climate. To prolong the life, make sure the battery terminals are clean and cable connections are secure for proper current flow. Corrosion can prevent the vehicle from starting due to increased electrical resistance. If your battery comes with vent plugs, check the water level and make sure to top them up with battery distilled water once a month to completely flood the lead plates.
Do not leave accessories plugged in when not in use as this will discharge your battery.
Do not attempt to jumpstart the battery if it goes flat. Many a times, jumpstarting batteries improperly causes damage to the electronics of most cars, which might cost you more to repair/replace. Leave it to the experts with the right tools.
Storage
No, today’s batteries use polypropylene plastic for the case material. They will not be affected. When possible, always store a battery in a cool, dry location.
The most important consideration when storing any battery is to make sure the voltage never drops below 12.4 volts. Disconnect the battery from the vehicle during storage to prevent small electrical drains from discharging the battery. Always provide a full charge with a battery charger prior to storage, and then check the battery voltage every three to six months. Charge the battery if it falls below 12.4 volts. Also, when possible, store your battery in a cool, dry location.
If your battery is likely to be exposed to weather conditions, you can house them in storage containers to prolong their lifespan.
Charging
The alternator may not be producing enough current to keep the battery properly charged
A high parasitic draw (off-key load) may be draining the battery and decreasing its service life, this may result from electrical devices on the machine/vehicle
A simple state-of-charge chart is appended for your reference.
When charging is completed, an automatic charger will maintain the battery fully charged.
Voltage is what pulls energy into your batteries. You’ll always find the voltage supplied by our chargers on the charger itself. You will want the voltage of your circuit to match the voltage provided by the charger. If the voltage is too high, you might end up shorting the circuit.
Amps are the current that’s supplied to your batteries. Think of it like a river, and the amperage is how fast that river is. The amperage listed on your selected charger needs to match or exceed the amperage required by your batteries.
When charging is completed, an automatic charger will maintain the battery fully charged.
For technical support, please call +65 6841 4566 between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Alternatively you can drop us an email.
Maintenance
One of the most damaging things one can do to a battery is let it rest uncharged. This will severely decrease battery performance and shorten battery life.
Maintenance free battery (sealed battery) is a type of lead-acid rechargeable battery. They can be mounted in any orientation and do not require constant maintenance unlike other batteries. However, such batteries still require cleaning and regular functional testing.
Disposal
All batteries must be recycled according to local regulations. We offer recycling services at your convenience and will be glad to assist in recycling of your old batteries.
Further queries
Feel free to contact us at here if your questions were not answered.
