Authorities baffled by thefts of truck batteries in five cities

This morning there was an article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel newspaper about batteries being stolen from trucks and automobiles throughout Broward County. Authorities are apparently baffled as to why the trend in battery theft. They should have asked Battery Sales.

The battery theft is not contained to just Broward County. Batteries are being stolen in Miami-Dade as well. You may recall a news report a few months ago when batteries were stolen from approximately 40 Miami-Dade County School Buses. At Battery Sales, we have customers buying replacement batteries for their cars at least a couple times a week, if not more. You would consider yourself lucky if the theives only took the battery. On occassion, we find the theives are cutting the cables as well. Not only do customers now have to buy a new battery; but, they also have to buy cables, terminals, and other accessories.

The driving force behind the upward trend in battery theft is the price of lead. At the moment, the price of lead is on the rise. When lead jumps in price...so does battery theft. Batteries are being sold to scrap yards and in turn sold to smelters or to the Chinese for reuse offshore.

China is having an effect on battery prices in the U.S.

You may be aware by now that over the past few months the lead acid battery industry has been impacted fairly substantially by government-imposed actions in China. Most notable have been the stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and the implementation of more stringent requirements. There have also been periodic mandatory shutdowns due to power shortages. The end result is reduced productivity and higher costs.

Also contributing to increased manufacturing costs are rising salaries/wages, insurance, and fuel as well as continued currency valuation adjustments. For these reasons, battery manufacturers have found it necessary to adjust prices accordingly. We are thankful that lead costs have remained reasonably stable and does not appear to be a factor in price changes at this time.

New lead acid battery prices will be handed out by Yuasa, Power-Sonic, Enersys, and several other sealed lead acid manufactures whose product comes from China. Stay tuned! www.batterysales.com - your source for automotive, commercial, industrial, marine, and special application batteries.

Determining the Cause of Battery Failure

Determining the Cause of Battery Failure:

Factors which are important in determining cause of battery failure are battery application, installation, service history, battery condition, and age. The answers to the following questions will aid in making an accurate determination:

Battery Application & Installation

1. Is the battery being used in the application for which it was designed, i.e. automotive, truck, tractor, bus, marine, golf cart, electric, or recreational vehicle? For example, an automotive battery used in heavy duty or deep cycle service is an obvious misapplication.




2. Is the battery sized properly for the application? Is the Cranking Performance rating at least equal to vehicle original equipment requirements?




3. Does the vehicle have excessive electrical accessory requirements, particularly those which are not original equipment, e.g. add-on air conditioning, radio, winch, or other accessories? If so, a battery with greater performance may be required.




4. Does the hold-down hardware fit the battery properly and is it properly adjusted? Does the battery's BCI group size match the vehicle's OE requirements or equivalent?




5. Do the battery cables fit the battery terminals properly and are they properly adjusted and cleaned? Have the terminals been converted from size to top terminal or vice versa and is there proper clearance for terminals from metallic parts?

Service History of the Battery:

Obtaining the service history of the battery and any history of problems from the owner may help in determining the cause of failure.

1. Has the battery been used in vehicles or applications other than the present one? Other applications may have adversely affected battery life.




2. Has the vehicle's electrical system been repaired or altered recently (very common to the cause of battery failure) and is it in proper operating condition? Charging system operation has a significant effect on battery life.




3. Has the vehicle been driven regularly or has it been parked for a lengthy period of time? Batteries self-discharge with time; extended periods of undercharge may have a detrimental effect on battery life.




4. Has the vehicle been difficult to start for any reason? Starting problems may have placed excessive loads on the battery or may indicate an undersized battery.




5. Has the battery required frequent water additions in one or more cells? Excessive water loss in all cells may indicate overcharging, a worn out battery, or both.

Visual Inspection

Visual inspection of the battery may reveal signs of abuse which may have caused failure.

1. Do the terminals show signs of having been hammered, twisted or driven down into the cover? Even minor abuse can cause internal damage.




2. Does the container or cover show signs of stress, breakage, high temperature, or vibration damage which might have caused leakage in internal damage?




3. Are the vents installed properly and are they plugged with foreign material? Improperly installed, missing, or plugged vents can be a cause of explosions, leakage or contamination.




4. Is there excessive build-up of acid or foreign material on the cover? A build-up of foreign material mixed with acid around or between the posts can cause high self-discharge rates or inadequate re-charge.




5. Are electrolyte levels below the tops of the plates in any cells? This could indicate overcharging, lack of maintenance, or internal shorts.




6. Is the electrolyte cloudy, discolored, or contaminated with foreign material? Cloudy electrolyte can indicate active material spalling due to overcharge or vibration. Electrolyte contamination can cause high self-discharge rates and poor performance.




7. Are the separators cracked or broken below the vent openings? Misuse of hydrometers or other tools could cause cell shorts.




8. Are alternate plates dark and light colored? In a charged cell, the positive plates should be dark in color and the negative plates light. If all plates are very light, severe undercharging could be indicated.

Battery Age & Date Coding

The battery's age can be an important factor in determining the cause of failure. The length of time in service determines whether the battery failed prematurely or had simply worn out. All battery manufacturers date their poduct by stamping a date code into the cover or container. This code can be used to dermin the actual age of the battery. The individual manufacturers should be consulted regarding their specific date codes.

More important is the date the battery was sold. This date determines the time the battery has been in service. The date of purchase on all battery bought at Battery Sales is indicated on a dater label with a letter and number combination, e.g. A1 would indicate January 2011.

Overcharging and Undercharging Batteries

The vehicle's charging system can have a profound effect upon the life of a battery. A high voltage regulator setting can cause excessive gassing and water loss, thermal runaway, and eventual damage to plates and separators. We often see these on vintage sports cars. This is extremely common when replacing a lead-acid battery with a sealed gel battery. Gel batteries are constantly being overcharged and failing because of the voltage regulator. If the voltage regulator setting is too low, there is a high resistance in the charging circuit, or the charging system is not capable of handling the accessory load the battery will be in a constant state of discharge. If this happens over a long period of time, the sulfate which deposits on the plates can become hard and crystallize. In this form, the plates may not accept a charge under normal conditions and may even cause short circuits through the separators due to a build-up of lead sulfate through the pores which is converted to lead shorts during recharge.

Voltage regulator settings vary among vehicle manufactures and may not be adjustable. They should be checked with the indivdual manufacturer before adjustment is atempted. Different battery types using different grid alloys and manufacturing processes may require different charging methods; this includes Lead Acid Batteries, AGM Batteries, and GEL Batteries.

Lifeline...the heart of your system

Lifeline...the heart of your system:
Battery Sales sells Lifeline Batteries at wholesale pricing...call for a quote today!

Lifeline has been the leading name in AGM batteries since 1993 (Absorbed Glass Mat) . The quality and durability of the Lifeline battery series has been proven again and again in military and commercial applications worldwide.

The AGM Battery Difference:

• 20% faster recharge than a conventional vented battery and gel battery.





• 100% maintenance free battery. No addition of water needed.





• Classified as "NONSPILLABLE" and can be shipped HAZMAT Exempt by any means.





• Tested to stringent military shock and vibration standards.





• Minimal gas release under normal charging conditions.

Sizing a Lifeline Battery Bank:

It is always good to have twice the battery capacity that an applicaiton requires. This will promote long battery life and also reduce the amount of recharge time.

Lifeline Battery Charging:

Warning: All batteries must be adequately vented during charging to avoid accumulation of explosive hydrogen gasses. never install or charge in a sealed container or room.

The following chargin voltages are recommended for maximim battery life for all Lifeline Battery Models:

Volts Per Cell 6 Volt Battery 12 Volt Battery

Bulk/Absorb 2.37 - 2.40 7.10 - 7.20 14.2 - 14.4

Float 2.20 - 2.23 6.60 - 6.70 13.2 - 13.4

Conditioning / Equalizing Charge for Lifeline Batteries:

Charge at 15.5 volts for 8 hours.

Conditioning/equalizing should only be done when the battery is showing symptoms of capacity loss. If conditioning/equalizing is necessary, first go through the normal charge cycle. Once the battery is fully charged, start the conditioning/equalizing charge.

Note: For maximum life, batteries must be periodically recharged to 100% capacity. Continually recharging to less than 100% may result in premature capacity loss. It is recommended that batteries be recharged to 100% at least every 5-10 cycles.

For Inverter/Charger Lifeline Battery Applications:

Refer to the inverter/charger manual to ensure the correct voltages have been set.

Knowing when to recharge your Lifeline Battery:

As a general rule, batteries should be recharged immediately after use or when they reach approximately 50% depth of discharge. Discharging to 60% or even 100% occasionally will not harm the batteries, but if this is done frequently it will shortent he battery's overall life. If batteries are discharged beyond 50%, it is important to recharge as soon as possible (same day if possible). The depth of discharge can be estimated by measuring the "open circuit voltage" as shown in the following table. Note that the battery must be at rest with no loads for at least 4 hours to obtain an accurate "open circuit voltage"

Depth of Discharge Volts/cell 6 Volt Battery 12 Volt Battery

0% 2.3V or more 6.4V or more 12.8V or more

25% 2.08V 6.25V 12.5V

50% 2.03V 6.10V 12.2V

75% 1.98V 5.95V 11.9V

100% 1.93V or less 5.80V or less 11.6V or less

Multiple Lifeline Batteries:

If there is more than one battery in the battery bank, the following guidelines should be used:

• Always use batteries of identical make, model and with the same manufacturing date.





• Make sure the battery cable is not undersized for the battery system.





• Make sure the battery cables are connected to the terminals correctly. If unsure, professional assistance is recommended.

Storing Lifeline Batteries:

Follow these guidelines if the battery is to be stored for an extended period of time (more than a month):

• Fully charge the battery before putting it in storage and store in a cool place.





• It is not necessary to leave the battery on charge while in storage.





• Disconnect the negative battery cable. This will prevent inadvertent discharging of the battery that may lead to a complete discharge.





• Boost charge the battery every 3 months while in storage to ensure maximum battery life.

Lifeline Battery Warranty:

Lifeline batteries have a 5-year pro-rated warranty with a 1-year free replacement (12-month prorated warranty in applications other than marine or RV). The warranty period starts at the time of purchase. If the original receipt is lost, the warranty will be based on the battery date code. The warranty covers defects in material, workmanship and failure, except where such failure is due to abuse, neglect or breakage. The warranty period starts at the time of purchase. If the original receipt is lost, the warranty will be basedon the battery date code. The warranty covers defects in material, wrokmanship and failure, except where such failure is due to abuse, neglect or damage to injury, discharged batteries, rental freight, or installation costs. Replacement batteries will be provided at the time the warranty is reuested. Credit will not be issued after the purchase of a new battery. For additional Lifeline Battery warranty questions, please contact Lifeline Inc at (800) 527-3224.

46 years young!

Battery Sales is celebrating their 46th year in Successful Business.

With a commitment to quality and service its no wonder why Battery Sales has maintained the leading Battery Specialist position in the South Florida Battery market for the past 46 years!

• In the event of a power outage, are you prepared?
• Are your Back-up Power Sources charged and up to date?
• Are you looking to go Green and Eco-friendly and are in need of Solar Panels and Inverters

Discharged, old batteries, bad cables and terminals, and even slight corrosion can prevent you from obtaining the power you need in an emergency.

We offer a complete line of lead acid, sealed rechargeable, and gel cell batteries for generators and emergency lighting applications.

Call our offices today to schedule an appointment with a service technician to inspect your back up power sources. With Battery Sales you will receive good service that will be here next week, next month, next year!



We do recycle your old batteries so bring them in too!

check out http://www.batterysales.com/



or call 305-891-8355

FOR YOU BATTERY NEEDS!

INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS WELCOMED

Solar Sales inc.

The Solar industry is booming and Everyone is doing there part on becoming green, and exploring safe and efficient forms of energy. Battery Sales and Solar Sales inc. are here to help.

Explore our inventory of Solar Panels, Inverters, Chargers, and Batteries.


If you havent already checked out the Solar Sales inc website follow the hyper link:
http://www.solarsalesinc.com/


It can be inmidating to switch to solar energy but email us our visit our warehouse and let us put your mind at ease.

check out http://www.batterysales.com/



or call 305-891-8355

FOR YOU BATTERY & NOW SOLAR NEEDS!



INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS WELCOMED!

Power King Marine Batteries!

• When the application requires a power source to provide extended use, dependability, and endurance, the Power King build batter is the optimum choice. Our marine line offers the performance required for deep cycling, high vibration, and dependable starting, time after time.
• More and more boating enthusiasts depend on Power King marine batteries that are designed and engineered to deliver dependable, trouble free performance. The deep cycle batteries deliver outstanding continuous use cycling for the weekend fisherman or the tournament pro.
• The performance of these batteries are enhanced by features like stainless steel terminals, hybrid radial grids with center line lugs, high density oxide, polyethylene envelope separators and safety vent caps.
• Power King deep cycle batteries have performance glass at that extends cycle life. this unique feature also adds dimensional stability and rigidity to the positive plate while retarding the shedding of the active material and lessen possible failure due to excessive vibration.
• A Power King battery is built to go the distance with unmatched performance. Power King offers superb marine product in a 24M starting battery and Group 31M, 27M , and 24M Deep Cycle batteries. The entire Power King Marine Battery line features the new twin post design. This innovative design allows cables and accessories to be accessed quickly and more effectively.

check out http://www.batterysales.com/



or call 305-891-8355

FOR YOU BATTERY NEEDS!



INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS WELCOMED!