Why You Should Recycle Batteries

 

In the age of technology, batteries are useful and needed to power the things we use every day, like electronics, cell phones, household devices and laptops – the list could go on. Batteries are both portable and versatile, as they make technology accessible. However, when you throw them in the trash, they could be harmful to the environment. Below, find out why battery recycling is important.

Recycling Matters

Batteries are made with heavy metals. These include lead, mercury, cadmium and nickel. For power to be produced, these metals must react with certain chemicals. While batteries are not harmful when they are in use, if they are not discarded properly when they are no longer useful, they can be dangerous to health and the environment. When batteries are put into landfills, the metals and chemicals can leach into the groundwater, soil and lakes. If they are incinerated, the heavy metals will be released into the air.

What Batteries Are Recyclable?

There are a few types of batteries you can recycle. One is lead-acid car batteries. Other kinds include nonautomotive batteries that are lead-based such as alarm system and industrial equipment batteries and small dry-cell batteries like the ones used in common consumer products. Visit this website if you want to learn more about battery recycling in San Diego.

Jumpstarting Your Car

If you come out of work at the end of the day to find your car won’t start, a jumpstart can help. If this happens frequently, however, or you have trouble starting your car, you may need a new battery.

Save Money and Get Back on the Road With Used Batteries

 

A dead battery is one of those not-so-little inconveniences every car owner is bound to experience sooner or later. Adding insult to injury is the cost of a new car battery. When price is a priority, buying used car batteries can be a smart option.

• Cost

The most obvious benefit of a used car battery is cost. Depending on where you look for used car batteries, you can easily find something up to half the cost of a new battery and get back on the road without too much wallet shock.

• Environmentally friendly

For green motorists, a used battery is a great way to extend recycling to your vehicle.

Plenty of batteries are junked while they still have some life in them. Why not squeeze out any remaining life and reduce waste in the process?

• Temporary Fix

It doesn’t make much sense to put a five-year warranted new battery in a car that doesn’t have that long left on the road. If you need to keep your older vehicle running for a while, a refurbished car battery is an excellent stop gap.

When car troubles are misdiagnosed, good batteries go to waste. If your battery quits, call a top provider of used car batteries in Carlsbad and learn about your options.

Choosing the Right Boat Battery

 

For a first-time buyer, choosing the correct boat battery may seem like a difficult task. There is no need to worry, however, because with a little handy information on different types of batteries, you can get a good understanding of which kind to pick.

Now, the two main types of 12-volt boat batteries are cranking batteries and deep-cycle batteries. Each has its own functions, so getting to know the details can be helpful when it comes to making your purchase. Below, you will find the characteristics of each battery type.

Cranking Batteries

Cranking boat batteries are also known as starting batteries, because their job is to start your main engine. A short burst of a lot of power is needed for engine cranking. This battery’s lead plates have more surface area, allowing it to deliver the necessary power fast. That’s why a cranking battery is made with many thin lead plates. Before you go shopping, take a look at your engine’s manual and see what the recommended cranking amp (CA) or marine cranking amps (MCA) rating is, and choose a battery accordingly.

Deep-Cycle Batteries

Deep-cycle batteries differ in that they’re job is to provide power to electrical accessories like fish-finders, trolling motors and radios. These batteries have thicker and fewer lead plates than cranking batteries and are designed to power your accessories for an extended period of time at a slow rate. If you want to know more about boat battery in Carlsbad, visit this website.

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Choosing a Battery for Your Solar Panel

 

Batteries than are used in solar applications must meet unstable grid energy demands such as irregular full recharging and heavy cycling. There are several battery options for you to choose from in order to meet these requirements. Things to take into consideration when choosing include cycle life, cost, maintenance and installation.

The Options

One battery type to look into is lead-acid batteries. These have been utilized in renewable applications for many years. Lithium-ion batteries are another choice, and they are quite common. People may also opt for flow batteries. When choosing your battery, take size into consideration. Often, homeowners do not choose the correct size battery for their systems. There are many online calculators you can use to properly determine battery capacity for the correct load requirements.

Also, consider battery prices. While a cheap battery may be tempting, know that the quality might not be as high. You may actually end up spending more money over time because of the need for frequent replacements. One of the most important things to look at is cycle life. This is the amount of charge/discharge cycles your battery will provide before the capacity drops.

So, choosing a battery for your solar panel should not just be a quick decision. Take these things into consideration, and if you are looking for a battery store in San Diego, visit this website.

5 Signs You Need a New Car Battery

 

A car battery is a very essential component, as without it, your car would be unable to start. Batteries do sometimes need to be replaced, and there are some signs to look for if you are concerned. Check them out below to see if you need a new battery.

Cranking Without Starting

When you turn the key to your vehicle and the engine cranks but doesn’t start, the likely problem is that you need a new battery. While it could be another issue, most of the time it is a bad battery, so get your vehicle checked out to see.

Your Vehicle Needs to Be Jumped Frequently

Many things happen that will cause you to have to jump your vehicle. However, if you have had to jump it three or more times within a week, it’s probably a good idea to get a new battery.

Nothing Happens

When you go to start your vehicle and the engine does not crank or start and your lights don’t come on, get the battery checked. A bad battery is usually to blame.

Cold Cranking is Difficult

If you are putting extra effort into starting your vehicle for the first time during the day and if this occurs frequently, this could be another sign. This is when you are turning the key and you can hear the engine rotating weakly for a bit, then the engine finally starts.

Sudden Issues

If your vehicle starts fine one day and doesn’t the next, there could be an issue with your battery. To learn more about whether you need a battery replacement in Escondido, check out this website.

All Types of Batteries

 

No matter what your battery needs are, you want to find a company you can trust. It’s important to find a business that employs staff who know what they’re doing and can answer all of your battery related questions.

5 Reasons You Should Be Recycling Batteries

You’ve probably been told many times that batteries must be recycled instead of thrown in the trash, but you may not have been told the reasons why. Here are 5 good reasons to recycle your old batteries instead of throwing them in the trash.

Save the Environment

The biggest reason not to throw your batteries in the trash is the risk to yourself and the environment. Heavy metals and chemicals in the battery can leach into the soil and groundwater, which could make people and animals sick. Burning the batteries will also release these heavy metals into the air.

Clean Your House

Another reason to recycle your batteries is to de-clutter your house. Especially for car batteries, a bunch of batteries you can’t throw away can get messy after awhile.

Keep Waste Out Of Landfills

Recycling your batteries will reduce the amount of waste in landfills. It may not seem like those little batteries take up a lot of space, however they add up.

Can Make New Materials

The materials used to make batteries can be reused, which reduces the need to collect more materials to make new batteries and other products.

Possibility to Earn Some Cash

Some companies may pay you to recycle your used batteries at their shop, especially if they can make new batteries from the old and make a profit reselling.

Find a center for battery recycling in Escondido today to start helping the environment as well as yourself.

Jet Ski Life

There’s nothing like the exhilaration of riding on a jet ski. Imagine if you will, the wind whipping through your hair and alternating mist and spray that hits your face and body  while you speed along, enjoying the sun to dry the spray from your body.

How to Tell Your Solar Panel Batteries Are Dying

For many people, being able to live off of the grid is not only exciting, but important to release the power company of its power. Renewable energy is not only easier on the environment, but it can last longer. However, not everyone knows how to care for their batteries. When it comes to solar panel batteries, how do you know if yours are going dead?

They Don’t Hold a Charge Through the Night

This is a major warning sign. Your batteries should remain charged throughout the evening and until the sun comes up the next day. If the batteries can’t hold a charge, then they may be going dead.

Your Battery Won’t Charge

It’s important to take a look at what your battery might be trying to tell you. Anytime that it wouldn’t charge is a sign that something could be wrong.

The Voltage is Low

It’s important to regularly check your battery’s voltage. This can keep you up to date on whether or not you need to look into new batteries or even repairs. If your voltage is consistently lower than it should be, then it may be time to look for new ones.

Regular maintenance or replacement of your batteries is important. For more information on solar panel batteries in Carlsbad, visit this website.

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What Is a Refurbished Battery?

Batteries are small portable power cells used for many types of items used in everyday life. While most batteries discharge their power once and have to be discarded, there are some types of batteries that are rechargeable. The most common type of rechargeable battery is that of the cell phone, but motor vehicle batteries are also rechargeable as well. When looking to replace a battery that can be recharged, you might consider investing in a refurbished battery.

Here’s how batteries work in general. When batteries discharge, they create anelectrochemical reaction that produces electricity. This electricity is generated into the product needing power. When a battery is recharged, the reaction is reversed.

With refurbished batteries, the battery is charged back to its fullest potential. This does not mean that it has the same charge as a brand new battery. Batteries have a cell memory. Each time one is recharged, it charges at a slightly lesser rate than it did when it was new. Therefore, refurbished batteries only charge to the highest point of the memory cell. The perk of purchasing a refurbished battery is that they often cost efficient solutions.

Not that you’ve been given a general overview of what a refurbished battery is, if you’re looking for refurbished batteries in San Diego, visit this website to see what options are in stock.

Know Which Battery is Right for Your Bike

Motorcycles are powerful two-wheel vehicles that operate with the use of battery. To make sure that your motorcycle is operating at its optimum torque, it is critical to know the right type of battery to use.

There five different types of batteries, which are roughly divided into two broad categories: lead-acid based and lithium based. The lead-acid based batteries are also subdivided into three categories.

•    Wet cell batteries: Wet cell batteries are also known as conventional batteries. The “wet” in the cell is a liquid acid that holds the necessary charging components. These batteries need frequent maintenance and must periodically be refilled with water to keep the liquid acid hydrated.
•    Dry cell batteries: Unlike wet cell batteries, dry cell batteries are sealed and do not require any water replacement. It is for this reason that these types are generally called maintenance free batteries. In one type of maintenance free battery, the acid comes pre-sealed; in the other, the acid is poured in, then sealed, needing no further adjustments.
•    Gel batteries: As the name implies, instead of the lead acid being encased in liquid, it in a gel substance.

Lithium batteries are smaller versions than the lead-based batteries, but just as powerful and have been proven to last longer than lead-acid batteries.

If you’re in the market for battery replacement, you can check out this website for motorcycle batteries in Carlsbad.

Drivers Should Own and Know Jumper Cables

Using jumper cables can be dangerous, but many people have to use them at some point in automobile ownership. It is important for drivers to own and know how to operate jumper cables.

Why Buy a Used Car Battery?

Car batteries are designed to last an average of 3-5 years, depending on the amount usage on the systems operated by it. The bad thing about replacing car batteries is that they seldom stop working at a time that’s convenient. When car batteries have to be replaced, the baseline price of one can start at around 80 dollars. For those who aren’t immediately able to afford a new battery, a used car battery might be a more viable option. Used car batteries are batteries that have been charged to their highest memory cell. Why they may not carry the same charge a new battery, they are convenient in many ways.

•    Cost efficient.A used battery typically cost 50-75% less than a brand new battery. For this reason alone, buying used can be a great option.

•    Great in a bind. A used battery is great as a temporary holdover until you are able to purchase a new one.

Used car batteries can really be a sound purchase if you need to replace your car battery right away. You should be mindful that the life of a used car battery may not be as long as if you were to purchase a new one. For more information about used car batteries in Escondido, visit this website.

3 More Things a Battery Store Can Do for You

 

Although battery stores are the best place to get batteries for your automotive and boating needs that isn’t the only thing they can do for you. Other than providing accessories for your batteries, battery stores can also assist in the recycling, repairing and fitting of batteries as well.

1.       Helping you recycle your batteries.

Many battery stores will accept your old batteries while helping you replace them. This helps you be environmentally friendly while also remaining lawful in disposing of the hazardous materials in your batteries.

2.       Perhaps your batteries just need to be repaired or recharged.

Simply because a battery is not functioning properly does not meant that it needs to be replaced. It may need to be repaired or a dead battery can sometimes be recharged. Of course, this will not work every time and it’s imperative you contact your battery store to assist you in learning your options. They can help you decide what is perfect for your needs.

3.       Fitting your new batteries.

In the event that your battery cannot be repaired, you’re going to need a new battery. Your battery store can help you find the correct battery for your golf cart, RV and any other machines that may need one. Not only can that but oftentimes battery stores help with your fitting as well. You can find what you need from a battery store in San Diego at the end of this link.

Batteries for all Motorsports

 

Your dirt bikes, four-wheelers and other motorsport vehicles can provide you with transportation and fun. Be sure to check your batteries often to make sure your vehicles keep running well and prevent future damage to them.

3 Things Every Car Owner Should Have in Their Emergency Kit

 

When you’re on the road and something goes wrong, it’s important to have everything you need to get your car back on the road safely, or find help. There are things every car owner should have in their emergency kit, including:

• Cell phone and charger
• Flares
• Jumper Cables

Cell Phone and Charger

It’s hard to go without your cell phone in today’s world. Car emergencies are no different. It’s important to have you cell phone and charger with you or in your car’s emergency kit. If you break down, there’s an accident or you run into other problems you can use it to contact the authorities or other help.

Flare

If your car’s battery dies or you run out of gas, flares can help make your vehicle more noticeable to passersby. You should keep a handful of flares in your car’s emergency kit at all times in case the unexpected happens.

Jumper Cables

One of the most important items to have in your car’s emergency kit is a set a jumper cables. If you leave your headlights on or an old battery keeps your car from starting, a set of jumper cables can be a life-saver.

You don’t want to be without supplies if you run into car trouble while on the road. For battery accessories in Escondido, visit this website.

3 Reasons to Recycle Unwanted Batteries

 

Some people are unaware that batteries are supposed to be recycled instead of thrown away. You may not realize what happens when you throw batteries into the trash instead of recycling them. The consequences of throwing batteries into the trash may be worse than you think.

1.       Danger to health and the environment.

Although batteries are not dangerous when being used, when they are not recycled it is dangerous. The majority of household waste in the United States is either incinerated or placed in a landfill. Heavy metals in batteries such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel can bleed the soil. In the event they are incinerated, those heavy metals will enter into the air.

2.       You could be breaking the law.

Because throwing out batteries can be so dangerous, a number of states have created laws pertaining to it. Whether it be about the proper way to recycle and dispose of them or making it illegal to throw them in the garbage. Odds are if you’re throwing your batteries in the trash, you’re violating the law.

3.       It’s much easier than you think.

There are so many places around you that accept batteries for recycling. In fact, retailers that sell automotive batteries will likely be a place you can return your car batteries. Many of these retailers also accept nonautomotive lead-based batteries as well. For more information on battery recycling in San Diego, visit this website.

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Signs it’s Time to Change Your Golf Cart Battery

 

Golf carts make it easier to get around while out on the links and can be a fun way to drive around the campgrounds or your property. Eventually your cart’s batteries will need to be replaced. There are several signs that it is time to change the battery including:

• Delay of movement when pressing on the gas pedal
• Shifting gears drains the battery
• Cart struggles going up hills

Pressing the Pedal

If you start your golf cart and press the gas pedal, but notice it takes more than two seconds for the cart to move, you may need to replace your golf cart’s batteries. You may also have a bad battery under the hood if you press the pedal to the floor and still struggle to get the cart up a hill.

Shifting Gears

A healthy golf cart battery will be able to handle when you shift gears from drive to reverse. If your battery is dying, however, shifting the cart into reverse can drain the battery further and cause problems.

Another sign of problems is issues with your cart’s accessories. If your cart’s radio, air conditioning or CD player aren’t working properly, or slow down, then you could have an issue with your golf cart’s battery. Click here for more information on golf cart batteries in Carlsbad.

Reasons to Change Your Boat Battery Annually

 

Almost everything in the world takes batteries and your boat is no different. You may only change your boat’s battery when it goes dead but there are reasons to change the battery annually including:

• Making your boat ready for the start of each season
• Preventing your boat from unexpectedly dying
• Avoiding corrosion and damage

Ready for the Water

If you change your boat’s battery each year, then you will be ready for each and every season out on the water. When you know there is a fresh battery in your boat you can rest assured that whenever you want to go for a ride the motor will start without issue?

No Power

Changing your battery annually can help prevent unexpected situations out on the water. The last thing you want when you are taking a ride with your family and friends is for the battery to sputter and die, leaving you stranded. You can prevent this with a new battery each year.

Avoiding Damage

As batteries age they can corrode and cause damage to battery terminals and other parts of your boat. A new battery annually can help you avoid this and keep your boat running great now and in the future.

Annual battery changes for your boat can keep you enjoying the sun while out on the water. Click here for more information on boat batteries in San Diego.