FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What makes Battery Services International different than other companies with battery rejuvenation programs?
Battery Services International is different in the following ways:
►We have developed both the electronic technology and the battery additive to match our battery
rejuvenation process. Thus, we stand behind our rejuvenation technology 100%25.
►We can restore any battery in any charging state including batteries at zero voltage and despite
their age.
►We offer comprehensive guarantee features such as money back and up to 18 months warranty.
►We formulated the PowerPlus battery additive to eliminate sulfation and prevent it from
happening again; it also reduces battery self-discharging, protects electrolyte density, and
prolongs the life of cranking and deep cycle batteries both used and new.
►We provide competitive prices and a business strategy to reduce battery costs.
►We are committed to professional service and strong customer service.
►Our process and technology has proven to increase the cranking amp capability of batteries as
much as 200 cranking amps. This is in batteries that are in service and batteries that have been
discarded as being bad.
►We can detect batteries that are mechanically damaged or have shorted cells and our
diagnostic knowledge is one of our strengths.
►We have produced thousands of batteries to date with our technology and have serviced
both companies that are big and small.
►We not only possess the technical knowledge but also have experience that we have gained
from dealing with thousands of batteries.
What advantages can I get from using Battery Services International to maintain or treat my batteries?
Here are five advantages:
► SAVE MONEY! — Reconditioning your failed batteries can yield substantial savings over purchasing a new battery. Our battery rejuvenation program is designed to reduce your battery purchasing cost by more than 50%25. Treating your batteries with our PowerPlus can double the life of new batteries allowing you to save money on replacement batteries.
► Strategic gain— “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Use our battery treatment services as a preventive and conclusive solution to your lead acid battery problems. We can provide you with replacement batteries or regenerate your old battery at a fraction of a cost of a new one.
► Avoiding headaches — Replacing your battery are always costly and time consuming. If you’re replacing your old battery, you also know that finding an exact battery is not easy. Save yourself a headache by reconditioning an old battery that fits and meets your energy needs.
► Discover existing problems— BSI battery experts can help determine what is causing your lead acid battery to malfunction or die prematurely. This knowledge will allow you to strengthen your operation in terms of cost and performance.
► Prevent future problems— Our BSI technicians can design a battery treatment plan for all your lead acid batteries. We can literally double the life of existing, new or dead lead acid batteries.
Why is a BSI restored battery different from a new battery?
All lead acid batteries will sulfate as they age. In the past batteries have been reconditioned by putting more acid in them and/or by forcing a charge into the battery with powerful chargers. These batteries are still badly sulfated and so will not be able to hold their charge as intended by the manufacturer. A BSI rejuvenated battery is fully desulfated and will stay clean of sulfation until it dies of mechanical failure. New batteries do not have protection against sulfation. This is the fundamental difference between a BSI refurbished or treated battery and a new battery that you pick up in the auto parts shelves.
Why a BSI restored battery good for me?
First, it is inexpensive. BSI batteries cost 60%25 less than a new battery. Second, they come with a 30 day money back guarantee and up to 18 months guarantee according to territory. Third, all BSI refurbished batteries will die only of mechanical failure because each one of them is protected with our powerful additive PowerPlus. Fourth, they have the same strength as a new battery of similar power characteristics. Fifth, reusing a dead battery you help to protect the environment as you prevent unnecessary debris to be thrown away prematurely.
How good is a BSI restored battery?
Typically, a BSI refurbished or treated battery is as good as a new one and better. Our batteries provide the same loads as any new battery of the same brand or group. The reason it is better is because our battery additive is inside preventing sulfation build up and prolonging its life span. This kind of performance is the norm. When our batteries fail it is usually because of mechanical failure or lack of maintenance which results in shortening the battery's life.
Can all batteries be revived?
Any lead acid battery (SLI and deep cycle) that is mechanically intact can be revived. This includes gel batteries. The only batteries not restorable with the BSI system are those with mechanical damage inside. Batteries that have lost their paste or have mechanical damages are weeded out during our testing process. Both mechanically damaged batteries and those with not enough paste can be recycled through our recycling program.
Can you restore batteries with zero voltage?
Battery Services International can restore any battery from zero voltage and up. Our battery rejuvenation technology can revive batteries dead for many years even if they have no electrolyte and their state of charge is zero. Our system also allows customers to treat new batteries to prevent sulfation prolonging the life span of the battery until the battery dies due to mechanical damage or malfunction.
What types of batteries can you restore?
We can recondition any type of lead acid battery. These types of batteries are classified into two categories: SLI batteries (starting, lighting, and ignition) and deep cycle. The SLI batteries are mostly used for applications with automobiles and trucks or to start engines in vehicles of many uses such as motorcycles, automotives, trucks, and tractors. Deep cycle batteries are designed to store energy for applications that include solar electric (PV), backup power, RV, boats, motive power, and forklifts. Battery Services International can service all of these types of batteries even if they are in zero voltage state.
What causes a battery to die?
Lead acid batteries form sulfation crystals during discharging. The charging cycle dissolves most of the sulfation crystals that adhere to the lead plates, but some crystals are left intact when the charging cycle is completed. This process repeats again and again until enough crystals have accumulated on the plates preventing the battery from charging again. This is considered one of the primary causes for batteries to die prematurely. The second cause for batteries to go dead is lack of maintenance. Lead acid batteries required frequent checks of the electrolyte to make sure water and sulfuric acid levels is at desire density. The third killer of batteries is mechanical damage in the structure of the battery or rupture of the plates or internal connections.
What are the symptoms of sulfated batteries?
Some of the symptoms are a general lack of power, a strong odor of hydrogen gas while charging,
increase in battery temperature druing charging or discharging, excessive consumption of water, and a rapid rise in battery voltage while charging that stops the charger.
Can you restore batteries with internal mechanical damages?
We have the knowledge, the skill, and technology to restore batteries with internal damages. However, we do not focus on those types of batteries. Batteries with internal damage go to our recycling program. We prefer to focus our technology to revive sulfated batteries. Considering that 8 out of every 10 batteries can be restored without opening them we can rapidly put these batteries back into distribution to service all of our customers. Batteries destined for recycling are stored in our warehouse to wait shipping to recycling plants throughout United States.
Why does battery voltage decline?
Richard Treptow suggests in his article about lead acid batteries (March 2002, Journal of Chemical Education) that the concentration and the density of the electrolyte drops steadily during discharge due to the internal electrochemical reaction that takes place. Because sulfation precipitates due to the reaction and deposits in the porous walls of the plates, eventually the specific gravity of the electrolyte solution declines below desired levels. Thus, as the specific gravity declines so does the voltage of the battery until it dies. Using our PowerPlus additive alone will boost the specific gravity in the battery allowing an increase in voltage performance. In addition, our rejuvenation technology is a more complete process designed to fully bring back the specific gravity and the voltage of any battery treated.
Can I use PowerPlus additive in all my new batteries?
Yes. We recommend using our additive for new batteries because it simply will extend the life of the battery beyond the manufacturer’s guarantee. This is the best time to use PowerPlus because you will immune the battery from sulfation, reduce self discharging, maintain clean plates, and continuously preserve the specific gravity of the battery.
Why won't my battery take or hold a charge?
The following are possible reasons:
► The battery may have a bad cell or an internal short circuit.
► The battery may be so severely discharged that to recharge may require a professional-caliber
charger to charge it.
► The battery was not given an adequate amount of time to accept charge.
► The battery is sulfated inhibiting full charging.
► Electrolyte specific gravity is too low. Thus, the electrolyte solution is very low in sulfuric acid and
very high in water.
Is there a formula to determine battery life in a given application?
Yes. However, it is a formula for a ballpark estimate only and cannot be used to calculate battery life for alkaline batteries. You must to have the current drain of the device and mAh rating of the battery to make this calculation. Estimated total battery life = (Ib / Id) x 0.7
Where: Ib = Total Capacity Rating of battery (mAh); Id = Current Consumption of the device in milliamps (mA).
Note: Use of this formula does not guarantee that you will get the determined battery life. Other factors such as weather condition (temperature, humidity, etc.), and battery condition can extend/shorten the battery life.
There are 4 numbers printed on the label in the form of '03-01' or '07-02'. Is this the date code for when this battery should be put in use? If not, what are they?
The numbers on the back are the month and year of recommended 'use before' date.
When testing my battery with a multimeter, why do I get a low voltage reading?
Batteries do not show their correct voltage unless under a load. Battery testers are designed to provide this load; however, when testing batteries with a multimeter, you must have the meter set to measure DC voltage and place the battery under load by using a resistor in parallel with the test leads of the meter. If the voltage reads the same on a multimeter with the resistor or without, then the battery is either low or dead and should be replaced.
How can I tell if my battery is charged or not?
Lead acid batteries are made up of cells. Each cell is approximately 2 volts, so a 12-volt battery has 6 individual cells. It turns out that a fully charged 2-volt cell has a voltage of approximately 2.15 volts. Oddly enough, a fully discharged 2-volt cell has a voltage of 1.9 volts. That’s only a difference of 0.25 volts on each cell from fully charged to fully discharge. So a 12-volt battery will measure at about 12.9 volts when it’s fully charged and about 11.4 volts when it is fully discharged. That’s a total of 1.5 volts that represents the full range of charge on a 12-volt battery.
What is the difference between Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion and Lead Acid batteries?
Nickel Cadmium batteries may suffer from reduced run time if they are are not discharged completely before being recharged. This is the so called memory effect which reduces battery life but can be reversed by completely discharging (Not to zero volts but 1 volt per cell. Running the device until it powers down is sufficient) and recharging, sometimes over a number of cycles (at least 3 times). A more common reason for reduced life is overcharging by poorly designed battery chargers which continue to charge the battery rather than automatically shutting off and is not reversible. You can determine if this is occurring by checking if the battery is warm or hot sometime after the charger indicates a full charge.
Ni-Cd batteries use cadmium which is highly toxic to the environment if not disposed of properly. They have a life of approximately 800 cycles or 3-5 years but in practice this is probably much less due to memory and overcharging.
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries have an approximately 40%25 higher charge density and will run longer on a charge than an equivalent NiCd. They do not suffer from the memory effect to the same extent and do not need to be fully discharged before recharging although occasional discharging may be beneficial. They have a life span of approximately 400 charge cycles.Ni-MH batteries are a more environmental friendly alternative to Ni-Cd.
Lithium ion batteries have the greatest charge density (twice that of Ni-Cd) and do not suffer from memory effect. Although more expensive they offer longer use, lighter weight and less self-discharge than other battery chemistries. They have a life of approximately 400 charge cycles. They are more environmentally friendly as they don't contain toxic materials such as Mercury or Cadmium.
Lead Acid batteries are the same as the one in your car and are generally very reliable . They should be kept fully charged and there is no requirement for discharging prior to recharging.
Should batteries be recycled?
In the interest of the environment all batteries, particularly NiCd and lead acid, should be recycled and not thrown in the garbage. In addition, batteries are classified a hazardous material that can harm human health and the environment. Call a BSI post to recycle all your batteries. We offer pick up services.
What are Lead-Acid Batteries?
A lead-acid battery is a device designed and used to store electrical energy through chemical reactions involving lead and acid. Lead-acid batteries, also known as storage batteries, are used primarily in cars and other motor vehicles. As the name implies, lead-acid batteries contain predominantly lead and acid. The typical battery weighs 36 pounds and contains about 18 pounds of lead, a toxic metal, and 1 gallon of sulfuric acid, a corrosive liquid. Other components include rubber separators, lead oxides, and sulfates. The battery components are contained in corrosion and heat-resistant housing usually composed of plastic (polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polystyrene). The primary function of lead-acid batteries is to generate a high electric charge. Lead-acid batteries are considered "dead," or spent, if they no longer can hold a charge.
Recycling Lead-Acid Batteries
Instead of throwing away lead-acid batteries, you should recycle them. All BSI posts will take your dead batteries or can pick them up at your location. One reason for recycling is that the components in lead-acid batteries can be used to make new lead-acid batteries, cable coverings and other products. Even the plastic casing can be recycled. About 60%25 of lead used in manufacturing lead-acid batteries is derived from recycled lead.
Handling and Storing Lead-Acid Batteries
There are a number of serious health problems which can result from exposure to leaking lead-acid batteries. Routes of exposure include ingestion, inhalation or direct contact with skin. Lead absorbed into the blood can cause high blood pressure in adults and neurological damage in children. Direct contact with sulfuric acid can cause severe burns and the fumes can damage lung tissue and cause blindness.
When handling spent lead-acid batteries, you should minimize contact by wearing heavy rubber gloves, clothing that covers exposed skin, boots, and eye protection. You should try to get your battery to a recycling center as soon as possible after removing it from your vehicle. If you must store it, keep it dry and do not expose it to freezing temperatures. Also, store it in a leak-proof container and away from children and pets.
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