Battery and Charger Frequently Asked Questions

PB Batteries is an experienced and professional player in the industrial battery market who can help you with the right battery solution. We have added this section on Battery and Charger Frequently asked questions to help you find answers to some of the most common questions right away.

If your question is not among the Battery and Charger Frequently asked questions listed here you can click here to ask and we can help you.

Click on the relevant question below to find the answer.

• How do I know I need a new battery?
• How can I purchase a battery from PB Batteries?
• How do I look after my battery?
• What is in a battery and how does it work?
• How long can I leave my battery without using it?
• Can you install the battery / batteries for me?
• Why do batteries fail prematurely?
• My battery has not been used for some time and has low capacity due to sulphation, how do I rectify this?
• Do you supply starter batteries for my car?
• What information do you need to identify my battery?
• What is Service?

• How do I know I need a new battery?
  There are a number of ways in which a battery may fail or show that it is approaching the end of it's useful life. Listed below are some of the most commonly found symptoms but this is by no means a list of all failure modes. Please feel free to contact us for advice on your own particular situation.
  
  1. Decreased available operating time between charging cycles.
  2. Increased or excessive use of de-ionised water for cell topping
  3. The battery is excessively smelly in use or during the charging process
  
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• How can I purchase a battery from PB Batteries?
  Pb Batteries accept most major Credit and Debit cards as well as Cheque and Cash payments. Account facilities are available for Business Users.
  
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• How do I look after my battery?
  To ensure that you enjoy the greatest possible lifetime from your battery the following points should be checked regularly.
  
  All battery cells should be topped when necessary with de-ionised water. Cell topping should be carried out when the battery is in a fully charged state. Acid should never be added to the cells, if you feel that an acid adjustment is necessary please contact us for advice.
  
  All battery terminations should be kept clean and free from corrosion in addition to being tightened to the correct tension.
  
  Deep Cycle Batteries should never be discharged by more than 80% of their overall capacity and should be fully charged following use to maintain optimum efficiency.
  
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• What is in a battery and how does it work?
  A Battery, is the term we use for a number of cells whether they are packaged together in a single unit or individual cells connected together to attain a particular voltage or ampere hour rating.
  
  It is also important that we recognise a battery as a storage device for electrical energy in much the same manner as a vehicle fuel tank is used for petrol or diesel. A battery never produces power it is simply a storage receptacle.
  
  Each cell has a number of positive and negative plates of slightly dissimilar lead content immersed in an electrolyte solution of sulphuric acid and de-ionised water.
  
  As current is drawn from the battery, acid from the electrolyte solution is absorbed into the plates changing their chemical composition, effectively making them of similar construction. The result is a reduction of energy stored in the cell or a "flat battery".
  
  Recharging the battery expels the acid from the plates, recreating the dissimilar lead content. The result being an increase in stored energy or a "charged battery".
  
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• How long can I leave my battery without using it?
  It is never the ideal solution to leave a battery unused, however if the situation is unavoidable always make sure the battery is fully charged prior to leaving it.
  
  Once the battery is fully charged leaving it for a calendar month without use should not be too detrimental to it's lifespan.
  
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• Can you install the battery / batteries for me?
  We have our own fully trained and vastly experienced team of Service Engineers working nationally who are capable and willing to take on installations as well as repairs where necessary.
  
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• Why do batteries fail prematurely?
  In most cases premature failure can be attributed to a lower level of maintenance than is required for the application. Take a look at "How do I look after my battery" for guidance on routine maintenance.
  
  Occasionally premature failure can be caused by incorrect specification of the batteries for the task they are being asked to perform. We are happy to offer advice on specification if you are unsure.
  
  If a battery is left in an unused state for a length of time sulphation of the plates can occur. Sulphation takes the form of a coating on the plates which prevents them from operating thus causing premature failure. This process can occur in a fully charged battery although it will happen at a much greater rate in a partially or fully discharged battery.
  
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• My battery has not been used for some time and has low capacity due to sulphation, how do I rectify this?
  In some cases this can be overcome by Regeneration of the battery/cell. This is not suitable for all batteries and we recommend that you call us to discuss this process in more depth if you feel it may be of interest to you.
  
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• Do you supply starter batteries for my car?
  We are able to supply starter batteries for Marine and Railway applications but do not carry Automotive product.
  
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• What information do you need to identify my battery?
  All batteries when new are supplied fitted with a battery plate/sticker that will detail the voltage and ampere hour rating. The details from this plate along with the physical dimensions of the battery will allow us to perform a fast and efficient identification of your current battery and advise on suitable replacements.
  
  If the specification plate is missing, we will still be able to perform the same service from physical dimensions alone.
  
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• What is Service?
  Service is a dedicated full time team of Battery Industry Professionals with combined experience in excess of 300 years available to discuss your current or future energy requirements and advise on the best possible solution for your application.
  
  Service is a Specialist National Service Support Team of Fully Trained Service and Installation Engineers who have built their reputation on very high standards of care, rapid service response, and the ability to give clear accurate expert advice. Constantly in touch with our Head Office and using vehicles with carefully tailored stocks of spares to achieve the highest possible "First Time Fix" rate.
  
  In short, Service is a National Service and Support Package that Leads the Industry
  
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