Brand Spotlight: Why You Need to Know ULTRAPOWER

Shelf after shelf of black batteries with various logos is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Knowing which battery to pick without a fuss is a pipe dream to many folks. Give yourself a break by focusing your attention on the ULTRAPOWER, a powerful battery brand exclusively available at Northeast Battery.

Working With Traditional Power

Flooded batteries date back to the 1800s when they were first experimented with by the French, reports the National Association for Amateur Radio. ULTRAPOWER batteries are certainly more updated than the 1800s. In fact, our team has improved upon the traditional, flooded battery for today’s demanding applications.

There’s vibration protection for those volatile applications, including industrial needs. We try to make the battery as maintenance free as possible too. Anti-corrosion terminals are standard.

We don’t overlook the importance of the battery’s housing design either. Regardless of the weather, the battery has a robust construction to fight off both cold and heat. NEB’s brand keeps on powering up through the toughest conditions.

Solving Battery Failures

Dead batteries are a frustration in life that you’d like to avoid. NEB solves this issue with our ULTRAPOWER battery with MIXTECH technology. With reliability that you can count on, the Ultrapower + PLUS battery has a 360-degree, acid-mixing technology that prevents premature failures.

Acid stratification is everyone’s enemy when it comes to battery corrosion and surprise outages. Our in-house brand takes on acid problems with electrolytes that constantly circulate. This movement reduces battery decline on an internal level.

Ask our team about MIXTECH technology. We’ll point you toward your battery replacement. You’ll never look back with this reliability that’s nearly two times as better as the leading name-brand battery.

Going Deeper

How Stuff Works reminds everyone that deep-cycle batteries are definitely different products in the marketplace. Power up your golf cart or RV with a deep-cycle battery, but don’t slide it into your commuting car.

NEB is proud to sell our ULTRAPOWER brand of deep-cycle batteries. We’ve refined the cycling process so that you get optimal power with dozens of charging periods in the meantime. Ultrapower is our commitment to your application; unreliable power means lost time and money.

From standard to high-reserve batteries, NEB has the inventory you need. Ask our team about the right battery for your application. There’s a technology for that!

Functioning on a Modern Level

We don’t recommend running a deep-cycle battery upside down, but you could technically perform this feat with an AGM or absorbent glass mat battery. Step up to another level when you need a more modern alternative to the deep-cycle battery. AGM technology uses embedded glass fibers within mat constructions, which means that battery spills aren’t part of this product’s features.

You gain the same functionality as traditional, deep-cycle batteries but with a distinct, internal design. If you’re not sure about the right AGM battery for your application, NEB has the answers for you. Heavy vibration and long hours are no match for our long-lasting battery.

Batteries From the Battery Experts

As one of the largest distributors of heavy-duty batteries, NEB shines as power experts. Ask us about those specialized applications. There’s probably an ULTRAPOWER battery for that need.

We service countless industries, such as:

  • Landscaping
  • Repair shops
  • Production lines
  • Vehicle fleets

Today’s battery technology is more advanced than ever before. Powering up that marine vessel is a breeze with our battery stock. No details go overlooked.

Visit any of our multiple locations, give us a call or browse online. NEB is your partner in mobile power. We’ll take the confusion out of your query. It only takes a short conversation to find your simple answer.

Speak with our representatives at Northeast Battery today. Whether you’re outfitting your boat or wheelchair, every contraption needs reliable power. ULTRAPOWER batteries can get you there and back again. Our brand continues to be improved every day.

 

How to Prep Batteries for Recycling

Decades ago, tossing batteries in the trash was commonplace. This practice is gasp-worthy today because most people understand that toxic chemicals within batteries will harm the environment. Currently, most businesses and individuals store these items in-house until a trip to the recycling center is warranted. It’s always a good idea to prep the batteries before recycling so that they’re safe for storage and transport. Try these tips from the pros at Northeast Battery, and your batteries will be ready for any recycling facility.

Avoiding the Stack

Everyone is in a hurry when they’re switching out batteries. It’s tempting to stack the batteries on a shelf and head off to your next task. This scenario causes possible fire hazards, however.

Recycling batteries starts with the proper steps for preparation. From the moment that a person notices a dead battery, place it in a designated area to be further prepared. Do not stack the items. If they must be loose, be sure to arrange the collection area with no terminals in contact with each other.

Taping the Positive Side

The majority of batteries require a covered, positive terminal. These batteries include:

  • Sealed lead-acid batteries
  • AA, AAA, C and D lithium batteries

For proper battery storage, place a piece of masking tape over the + or positive side. Covering this area prevents shorts that might occur as you’re recycling batteries. Although the batteries may be 1.5 volts each, a short can create a significant fire hazard among multiple power sources.

Capping Terminals

Some batteries have terminals that extend out from their housings, such as 6- or 9-volt designs. The power-source experts suggest capping the terminals for battery storage. Use the same cap from when the item was purchased.

Other caps can be used from alternative sources as long as the cap is plastic and free from any metal. Ideally, cover both terminals for optimal safety. Masking tape can always be used if no caps can be found.

Dealing With Button Batteries

Button batteries are a wonder because of their small size. They can easily short out if you stack them together, however. As you become a pro at battery recycling, recognize the unique features of these power sources. The positive and negative terminals are simply the battery’s flat surfaces. Cover both sides of the button battery so that no voltage flows between items in a storage container.

Storing Batteries Between Recycling Trips

If you want to know how to store dead batteries, keep their original packages. Most batteries come in a plastic container that has some sort of snap construction. After physically preparing the batteries, place them into their original packaging.

The container offers these benefits, such as:

  • Holding the items in the proper positions for optimal safety
  • Saving space in the storage area
  • Making the transfer between storage and the recycling center an easy prospect

Mark the plastic containers as “used” so that everyone knows that the items are definitely no good for further use, suggests the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Practicing Safety With Stored Batteries

Many regions have municipal battery recycling available to residents, reports the Washington, D.C. Department of Public Works. Visit these locations on a regular basis so that the batteries don’t become a large pile.

Remember to place the used batteries in a cool and remote location. Children and pets shouldn’t have access to them, for example.

Take a look around the batteries too. It’s easy to stockpile items in a storage area without realizing that fire hazards exist. Don’t store your batteries around these items, such as:

  • Fuel
  • HVAC vents
  • Near parked vehicles

If you have any questions regarding your used batteries, contact Northeast Battery today. We live and breathe battery facts. Always recycle your batteries in order to save money and help the environment. One battery at a time is all it takes to stay compliant with the latest rules and regulations.

 

Boat 101: How to Pick the Right Marine Battery

Losing power while you’re out in the middle of the ocean is a worst-case scenario. Every boating enthusiast wants a reliable battery that keeps on going. Your boating success all starts with the right choice of battery in the first place. With so many variations on this basic power source, it’s time that you learned how to pick the right marine boat battery. Explore these features, which will only help you on that next battery purchase.

Cranking Designs

Think of cranking batteries as starting batteries. They’re designed to provide a rush of power in a short amount of time. Igniting your engine is the sole purpose for these batteries. They typically demand a good recharging session afterward.

According to Bass Pro Shops, cranking batteries come with thin plates that fill their interior spaces. The extra surface area provides this jolt of energy to the engine.

There are very few other applications that a cranking battery is designed for, so buy this product for engine ignition only.

Deep-Cycle Products

When you need power throughout the day, a deep-cycle battery is your best friend. It has thick plates in limited numbers within the interior, reports Discover Boating. These thick plates give the battery a robust construction, which allows it to be deeply discharged on a regular basis.

Use these batteries to power almost everything on the boat besides cranking the engine, including:

  • Electrical items
  • GPS equipment
  • Stereos
  • Various accessories

In a pinch, you could swap a deep-cycle product for a cranking battery, but don’t make it a habit. Both batteries will have extremely short lifespans when used in the wrong applications.

Cold-Cranking Amps

Another way that you can pick the right battery is by looking at its features. Cold-cranking amps or CCA is a measurement of the energy provided to the boat upon ignition at about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s more of a reference value since every boater will be at a different temperature than this benchmark.

Ideally, pick a boat battery with a high CCA rating. Most vessels come with recommended values anyway. The higher value means that the battery can withstand a lot of temperature variations while still operating in a reliable way.

Wet Cells

As you learn how to pick the right marine boat battery, you’ll encounter products referred to as wet cells. These batteries are traditional choices for the average vessel. They cost less than other batteries, which makes them attractive to the budget-minded captain.

Contrary to popular thought, these marine batteries cannot get wet. They have an electrolyte solution along with openings along the top housing. These batteries are meant to have distilled water added to them on a regular basis.

For an inexpensive but high-maintenance choice, consider wet cells during your shopping excursion.

Gel Cells

A boat often has limited space for various items, including the battery. Gel cells are clever choices because they can be installed in almost any orientation. They won’t spill any contents either.

The secret behind their success is sulfuric acid mixed with silica dust. It becomes a gel that can also conduct electricity. You might find this battery in both a cranking or deep-cycle design. Be careful about which one you choose for the application.

Absorbed Glass Mat

AGM batteries have the same sealed design as gel cells, but they use glass fibers to hold the electrolyte solution. Many boaters have switched to AGM batteries because of their fast charging times. It’s a good idea to have a smart charger for these batteries, however, because they can succumb to overcharging with an old-style charger.

Read the label to verify if you have a cranking or deep-cycle AGM battery as well. Battery manufacturers are constantly updating and expanding the marketplace.

Get in touch with Northeast Battery today for any help you need with your marine battery. Tell us all about your vessel, and we’ll point you toward the best battery for it. Knowing how to pick the right marine boat battery requires knowledge on several different subjects. A reliable power source will only keep you exploring for the foreseeable future.

 

Battery Life 101: How Long Does a Car Battery Last?

Batteries provide the necessary power to get your engine running, but they will fail as time goes by. Get familiar with how long your battery should last in the first place. Their ranges can fluctuate by years, especially when you factor in your driving habits.

Textbook Lifespan

According to Popular Mechanics, the average car battery should last around six years. There are a lot of influencing factors that may alter this time frame, however.

Every battery is constructed in a clean environment with basic, internal parts that include:

  • Specialized plates
  • Electrolyte solution

The chemical changes that occur between the electrolytes and plates are what creates a charge and discharge. Under perfect circumstances, the battery lasts for six years. Most cars, however, aren’t driven under controlled conditions.

Driving Time as an Influencing Factor

A strong influence on car battery life involves drive times. You want to prolong the battery’s life, so you think about driving long distances instead of short trips. This strategy is technically correct because car batteries rely on charging from the alternator as the vehicle moves down the road.

The problem resides in the length of time that you’d have to drive each time. Fully charge a battery after running the car for eight hours straight. Most people don’t have these kinds of commutes, which leads to less life out of the battery.

When Winter Hits

Car battery replacement tasks seem to skyrocket during the winter months. There’s a good reason why this scenario occurs. Your battery may be poised to last six years, but extreme cold strikes the region. The car suddenly has a dead battery.

The cold impacts the electrolyte solution by practically stopping its molecules from moving around. Electrical power cannot move from the battery and into the car’s electrical system. The electrolyte solution might freeze in some cases. The car battery life is immediately reduced at that point.

Being Overzealous With Rapid Charging

You may be concerned about the battery’s health, so you pull it from the vehicle. Charging car batteries on external systems is commonplace for many vehicle enthusiasts. Place the battery on a rapid charger, and you have full power in no time.

Rapid charging creates issues, however. You might be reducing the battery’s lifespan. These products are designed for slow charges so that no overcharging occurs. Battery damage is possible with too much power all at once.

Overlooking the Corrosion Aspect

How Stuff Workssuggests that a good cleaning can lead to a long-lasting battery. That white dust that builds up on the terminals can create shorts and poor charging conditions. Leave that residue in place, and the battery will fail in record time.

Mix these two items together to create a cleaning paste, such as:

  • Water
  • Baking soda

Apply the mixture with a brush while wearing protective eyewear. You might see more life out of the battery with this cleaning habit in place.

Forgetting the Maintenance

Remember that some car batteries require maintenance that involves adding water. Check the water level each month so that it’s always at an appropriate level. The battery will last longer as a result.

Cranking up the Jams

The best songs may be on the radio, but putting extra strain on the electrical system will reduce the car battery’s lifespan. All of those electrical additions, such as LED lights, amplifiers and more, will take months or years off the battery. Simply keep the stock items in the car. Enjoy the cranked up music at home.

If your car battery replacement project is causing confusion, contact Northeast Batterytoday. Our team is happy to assist you with any questions or concerns about an installation or swap. Keep any vehicle running smoothly with a reliable battery. The open road is waiting for you.