Jun 23 2010

We All Need Batteries

Published by Jilly under Uncategorized

It is almost impossible to imagine a world without batteries. Just about everything we use these days and certainly everything that is portable seems to need batteries. Can you imagine life without a portable phone, cellphone or laptop? Even your toothbrush can come powered by a battery si life would be very different without them.

Until you start reading up on different types of batteries you may think they are all pretty much the same. They may look the same but underneath their casing the materials used and the amount of power they can contain may be very different from another very similar looking battery.

First we have the two main types of battery, rechargeable and disposable. Rechgargeable batteries can be used up and the recharged with a battery charger to use again, time after time. Disposable batteries are use once and throw away devices.

If you read the small print on the casing of a battery you will see it says how much power batteries hold as well as the voltage. Two batteries that look the very much the same can hold very different amounts of energy and one ay last twice as long as the other.

So, next time you think about buying batteries decide first if a rechargeable battery would make more sense and then check the maximum amount of power each battery can contain before you compare prices. Overall, while rechargeable batteries appear expensive at first, over time they work out a heck of a lot cheaper.

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May 06 2011

How To Properly Maintain RV Batteries

Published by Ishie Bobson under batteries

Batteries are an essential component of vehicles. They are used to power electrical parts such as the engine's control computer, the ignition system, the headlights, the stereo and the like. Needless to say, your car won't run if there is no battery. For this reason, it is imperative that you properly maintain the battery so that it serves its purpose well and for a longer time. RV owners should be aware that the lifespan of RV batteries like the other battery types, can be affected by the way the batteries are used and cared for. It therefore pays to have a knowledge on the proper maintenance of battery.

First, one should be aware that the right charging and the use of the proper charger is crucial to high performance and long service life. Using a charger that is incompatible with your battery can result to a number of problems. In addition, one should avoid the following charging conditions: excessively fast charging, overcharging, long interval between use and recharging, and consistently low charge state.

Another way by which you can lengthen the life of the battery of your RV is by shortening the depth of discharge. It is common knowledge that discharging your battery to 50% can make your battery last twice as long as the one which is cycled to 80%. You should also keep in mind that when storing a deep cycle battery, it has to be fully charged first. And you should also avoid keeping your battery on a cement floor because this practice can drain the battery's power or on a metal object as this can short it out.

It has to be remembered as well that prolonged storage, that is, not using the battery for a long time may result to sulfation on the plates which can lower its effectiveness. For batteries that might require addition of water occasionally, see to it that you only use distilled water. Adding a different type of water to the electrolyte solution can leave impurities that can trigger negative chemical reactions, affecting the battery's performance.

If you would ever need to replace your battery, then you can order from online stores. http://www.impactbattery.com is the leading online supplier of batteries and chargers for a variety of uses. With the use of this site, you are assured that you will get high quality batteries for your RV. An RV battery which is not cared for and maintained in the proper way will only endure 2 to 3 years of use, on the average.

This means spending an expensive amount for replacement every couple of years. While different types of battery can have different lifespan, it is best to remember that proper use and maintenance will help you maximize a battery's full potential and service life.

If you want to know more about a deep cycle battery then visit http://www.impactbattery.com for more details.

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May 04 2011

Tips to maximizing the performance of your Cordless Drill battery.

Published by Jim McIntyre under batteries

Do you fully charge your battery before us? Not with Lithium-Ion technology.

The first rule looks at whether you should fully charge your battery prior to first using the tool, and although this used to be the case it is no longer so with the Lithium-Ion powered cordless drills. It is the case with Ni-Cad batteries so be sure to fully charge yours before use.

Check that the contact points on both the cordless Drill Battery and charger are clean and free of dust and moisture. This ensures both the life and the charge of the drill will always be at the optimum levels

The Temperature is probably the most important element and the right temperature is set by the manufacturer. Follow these and make sure that in general you do not let the charging unit overheat.

Make sure the charger and the battery are stored in a clean and dry place that is free from dust and in an area that is well ventilated.

Most toolsheds are out in the backyard and since this is the case it is highly advisable to not leave your charger on day and night. This is especially true when there is an electrical storm as any power surges can potentially kill the charger and battery in one hit.

Another key factor in keeping your Cordless drill battery in the best condition is to not leave it out of charge for too long. Try and make an effort to use the battery at least once a month to keep it performing at peak levels.

If you are not planning on using your cordless power tool for a while then the storage of your battery is equally important. Again, store it in a dry and clean place free from the elements.

Make sure when storing the battery, if the charger has an option for on an off that it is therefore turned to the off position.

The best way to maximize the life of your battery and get the most from the cordless drill is to follow the instructions and manufacturers recommendations at all times. Use some common sense and make sure you keep the battery and charger clean and in good condition.

Not only should you use common sense and follow the manufacturers guidelines to maximize the life of the battery, you should also be following them because if not then you are at risk of voiding your warranty.

Get the answers to Frequently Asked Questions as well as great deals on alldewalt lithium-ion cordlesss drills or view the entire range andcompare 18v Dewalt Cordless Drills

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Apr 27 2011

Extending the Life of Your Laptop Battery

Published by Johnathon Webster under laptop battery

Is your notebook starting to feel more like a desktop, constantly needing to be plugged in and recharged? This is a classic symptom of battery degradation capacity loss, where batteries become less effective at carrying a charge. Unfortunately, you cannot completely stop capacity loss, and for this reason Lithium-Ion batteries normally last just 2-4 years. However, there are several steps you can take to slow the degradation process, making it more likely that your battery will last four years instead of two.

1. Stay Away from Excessive Heat

This is perhaps THE most important thing to avoid if you're trying to extend your battery's lifespan. Heat quickly degrades the battery, and all manufacturers recommend that you avoid it. Apple suggests keeping your battery between 50F-95F when in use, with room temperature 70 F being ideal.

To keep your laptop--and its battery--at an optimal temperature, it should be used on a flat surface that facilitates air flow through the vents underneath. A cooling station is a great way to keep air circulating. They sell for as little as $10 on Amazon. Also avoid using your laptop on things that trap heat, like bedding comforters, pillows, and clothing.

2. "Should I remove the battery when my computer is plugged in?" It depends.

Shoppers frequently ask if it's okay leave the battery in your computer if it is plugged-in most of the time. This is a highly debated issue and there is a lot of inconsistent information on the web, even amongst manufacturers! Apple says you shouldn't leave it in while Dell says it doesn't matter. After examining the data out there, I've concluded that it depends on your computer usage habits.

If your computer is always connected to an external power source, runs a lot programs that require a lot of computing power, and has several peripherals connected to it, you should definitely remove the battery. In situations like this, the laptop itself is producing considerable amounts of heat, and with your battery always inside of it, your charge capacity may deteriorate quickly.

According to BatteryUniversity.com, lithium-ion batteries can experience 40% capacity loss in as little as 3 months if they are kept in extremely hot environments--above 140 F--while being fully charged.

If your computer typically doesn't get this hot, and runs on battery power often, the battery can stay inside. Ideally, try to alternate between using wall current and battery power to "keep the electrons moving."*

3. Calibrate Your Battery Every Month or Two

The on-screen battery icon, which displays your battery's current charge level, becomes less accurate over time. You might have experienced this firsthand--I definitely have.

One minute, your battery shows an hour of charge left, but then just a little while later, it magically drops to 20 minutes remaining. Sometimes the battery may actually have a lot less charge than the meter indicates. This can force your computer to shut down without warning.

Calibrating the battery every month helps to ensure that the charge meter continues to provide accurate readings.

You can calibrate your battery using the following method by Apple*:

1--Fully charge your laptop. 2--Keep it fully charged for at least two hours. You may use it during this time. 3--Unplug the power adapter and run the laptop on battery power alone. Use the computer until the battery is completely depleted. The system should automatically shuts off or go to sleep. 4--Keep it off or sleep for at least 5 hours. 5--Plug in the laptop until the battery is fully charged.

4. Avoid Completely Discharging the Battery

Unlike last decade's NiCd batteries, lithium-ion batteries should not be fully depleted--except during calibrations. Your discharges should go no lower than 50%.

According to BatteryUniversity.com, if you usually deplete your battery 100% you can expect an average lifetime of 500 charge/discharge cycles. Compare that to batteries that are only 25% discharged, which have an average lifespan of 2500 cycles. Shallow discharges exert far less stress on the battery than full discharges do.

5. Exercise efficient use battery power

Bluetooth, wireless adapters, USB peripherals, etc. all put added stress on the battery. Disable these components when they are not in use.

Using battery power efficiently goes hand-in-hand with tip 4, as it keeps your battery from becoming fully depleted and lowers your laptop's operating temperature.

6. When Storing Batteries, Make Sure They Are 40-60% Charged

Nearly all manufacturers recommend that you store your battery with a moderate level of charge. Apple says to store with 50% charge, HP says 30-50%, and Dell 40-60%.

Storing your battery fully charged can actually accelerate capacity loss. On the other hand, a battery can be rendered useless if it falls below a critical voltage after a full discharge. The fact that lithium-ion batteries self-discharge over time can the odds of having a permanent discharge. Storing the battery at close to half of its capacity buffers the battery against both extremes.

Overall, lithium-ion batteries prefer everything in moderation. Keep them from getting too hot or too cold, and don't let them remain fully charged or fully discharged for long periods of time. Although all batteries eventually need to be replaced, you can extend the life of your battery by using it efficiently.

*Reference list can be accessed at the ShopGuides blog. Check out our in-depth review of the ASUS G73JW gaming laptop. With a NVIDIA GTX 460M graphics card and Intel i7 Quad-Core processor, the G73JW delivers the computing power you need to dominate today's cutting-edge games.

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