1. What is a Battery? 

2. What is sulfation of batteries? 

3. What are some of the major types of lead acid batteries? 

4. How long will my battery last? 

5. How to connect a battery in Series? 

6. How to connect a battery in Parallel? 

7. What is a Deep Cycle Battery? 

8. What is a AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat Battery? 

9. Can batteries freeze? 

10. Do batteries self-discharge when not in use? 

11. Are lead acid batteries recyclable? 

12. Where do I recycle my old batteries? 

13. Do I need to charge a new battery when I buy it? 

14. What is the "Memory Effect" that I have heard about? 

15. Do I have to condition my Laptop or Notebook battery? 

16. My new laptop battery is not Charging. What is wrong? 

17. Is it Possible to Upgrade the Device's Battery to a Newer Chemistry? 

18. Can I take a wheelchair, scooter or other equipment on a airplane or cruise ship? 

Q. What is a Battery?

 A battery, can be any device that stores energy for later use. The word battery, is limited to an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electricity, by use of a galvanic reactive. A galvanic reaction is a fairly simple process consisting of two dissimilar metals, and an electrolyte solution (acid). Batteries consist of one or more galvanic cells. Batteries do not make electricity, they store it. As chemicals in the battery change, electrical energy is stored or released. In rechargeable batteries this process can be repeated many times. Batteries are not 100% efficient - some energy is lost as heat and chemical reactions when charging and discharging. Approximately 20% is lost to heat during charging.

Q. What is sulfation of batteries?

Sulfation is the formation or deposit of lead sulfate on the surface and in the pores of the active material of the batteries' lead plates. If the sulfation becomes excessive and forms large crystals on the plates, the battery will not operate efficiently and may not work at all. Common causes of battery sulfation are standing a long time in a discharged condition, operating at excessive temperatures, and prolonged under or over charging. 

Q. What are some of the major types of lead acid batteries?

Batteries are divided in two ways, by application (what they are used for) and construction (how they are built). The major applications are automotive, marine, and deep-cycle. Deep-cycle includes solar electric (PV), backup power, and RV and boat "house" batteries. The major construction types are flooded (wet), gelled, and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). Flooded may be standard, with removable caps, or the so-called "maintenance free". All AGM batteries are sealed valve regulated (commonly referred to as "VRLA" - Valve Regulated Lead-Acid). 


Q. How long will my battery last?

The lifespan of a battery will vary considerably with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged, temperature, and other factors. 

Q. How to connect a battery in Series?

The positive terminal of the first battery is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery. The voltage of the batteries when connected in series is added together and the amperage remains the same as one battery, i.e., two 12 volt, 5 AH (amp hours) batteries hooked in series would equal 24 volts at 5 AH.

Q. How to connect a battery in Parallel?

The positive terminal of the first battery is connected to the positive terminal of the second battery. The negative terminal of the first battery is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery. The voltage of the batteries when connected in parallel remains the same as one battery, and the AH are added together, i.e., two 12 volt, 5 AH (amp hours) batteries hooked in parallel would equal 12 volts at 10 AH. 

Q. What is a Deep Cycle Battery?

Deep cycle batteries are "tuned" batteries. They a specially designed for "cyclical" applications such as wheel chairs, scooters, and any other device that is discharged to approximately 80% or more, then recharged for the next use. They are tuned by creating thicker plates, adding trace elements, and creating additional pressure inside the battery to keep the battery from sulfating. This also increases the life to almost double the number of "cycles" than a standard duty battery.

Q. What is a AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat Battery?

The newer type of sealed non-spillable maintenance free valve regulated battery uses "Absorbed Glass Mats", or AGM separators between the plates. This is a very fine fiber Boron-Silicate glass mat. These type of batteries have all the advantages of gelled, but can take much more abuse. Just like the Gel batteries, the AGM Battery will not leak acid if broken. 

Q. Can batteries freeze?

Yes. See your battery specifications for more information. Note: below zero temperatures significantly reduce battery efficiency.

Q. Do batteries self-discharge when not in use?

All batteries, regardless of their chemistry, self-discharge. The rate of self-discharge depends both on the type of battery and the storage temperature the batteries are exposed to. 

Q. Are lead acid batteries recyclable?

Yes. 

Q. Where do I recycle my old batteries?

You may return your spent batteries (dead batteries) prepaid to: MarketBattery.com, Inc. - or - lead-acid batteries may be brought to any store that sells automotive batteries. All other types of batteries, including small, sealed lead-acid batteries, may be recycled through the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) [ http://www.rbrc.com/index.html ]

Q. Do I need to charge a new battery when I buy it?

Yes. 

Q. What is the "Memory Effect"?

NiCad batteries, and to a lesser extent NiMH batteries, suffer from what's called the "memory effect". What this means is that if a battery is repeatedly only partially discharged before recharging, the battery "forgets" that it has the capacity to further discharge all the way down. To illustrate: If you, on a regular basis, fully charge your battery and then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge, eventually the battery will become unaware of its extra 50% capacity which has remained unused. The battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its original capacity. The way to avoid the dreaded "memory effect" is to fully cycle (fully charge and then fully discharge) the battery at least once a month (NiMH once every three months). 

Q. Do I have to condition my Laptop or Notebook battery?

You should follow the directions we include with each battery purchased.

Q. My new laptop battery is not Charging. What is wrong?

New batteries are shipped in a partially discharged condition and must be charged before use. Refer to our charging instructions that comes with the battery. Check your charger to make sure it is plugged into a live outlet (by plugging in a lamp to that outlet). Contact us for further information. (Contact Page)

Q. Is it Possible to Upgrade the Device's Battery to a Newer Chemistry?

Yes, in some instances. Contact us for expert advise. (Contact Page)

Q. Can I take a wheelchair, scooter or other equipment on a airplane or cruise ship?

Yes. There should be no problem, the battery is considered non-spillable, non-hazardous, since it is a absorbed glass mat design. These sealed lead acid valve regulated (VRLA) batteries are classified as "Battery, wet non-spillable, not subject to regulations" by DOT and IMO. By IATA they are classified as "Not restricted for air transport" and they are in compliance with IATA/ICAO special provision A67. For the gelled electrolyte batteries, they are classified as "Battery, wet, filled with acid, UN2794, Class 8". They can be legally shipped via air with special packaging etc.

MarketBattery.Com, Inc.
7360 Ulmerton Rd., #9D, Largo, FL, 33771
727-535-5354

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