Welcome to the MK Battery blog! We take time to highlight different products, tips and tricks we believe will come in handy in the future. Today’s tips will focus on battery and storage maintenance, so you can maximize your battery’s performance for longer life, safety and peace of mind. After reading through our tips, feel free to browse our site and view the different products we have to offer. 

Battery Storage Tips 

Disconnect Batteries  

Disconnect your batteries in your equipment when not in use. Disconnecting your batteries will eliminate any parasitic loads that may drain your batteries down while in storage.  Batteries left in a discharged state are subject to sulfation which may reduce life and/or permanently damage them. 

Keep Fully Charged 

This step is absolutely critical! Always store your batteries FULLY CHARGED. Batteries have a self-discharge rate and need to be maintained while stored. Prior to disconnecting your batteries, make sure they are fully charged. Every other month, connect your batteries, plug in the charger, and run your batteries through a full charge cycle.  

Monitor Temperature 

Extreme hot and cold weather can affect your batteries. High Temperatures will accelerate chemical activity in your battery significantly during storage.  This will increase the self-discharge rate, potentially causing a reduction in capacity and/or shorter battery life. Cold Temperatures conversely will cause slower activity, which may make a battery vulnerable to freezing if not kept fully charged. For example, if you know your garage exceeds 100 degrees during the summer, or gets below 35 degrees in the winter, you should bring them inside your home where they can be insulated.

Battery Maintenance Tips 

Keep Them Clean 

Regularly inspect your battery for signs of corrosion. Corrosion can prevent your battery cables from making a strong connection over time. Keep the battery clean by wiping it down during your inspection as well. 

Charge Regularly 

Charge your batteries every day or every night, even on days with little use. Whether your batteries are being used all day or on occasion throughout the day, a full charge allows them to perform at their best and increases the lifespan of the batteries. Charging them completely every day or night will ensure that they do not degrade over time. Keep in mind that while your battery charger may show 90% after just a quick charge, it is the last 10% of charging that takes the longest. Once the green light is visible, leave your batteries on charge for an extended period to ensure a full charge has taken place. If your equipment is not used every day, then charge fully after each use.

Reach Out to a Professional 

Any performance-related issues should be handled by a properly trained technician. Here are some signs you may need a new battery. 

Looking for more tips and guidance in another area? We offer a Resources page that highlights different helpful brochures, guides, FAQs and definitions in numerous industries such as: HME/Mobility, Telecom, UPS/High Rate, Bike-Share, Warning/Mass Notification Systems, RV/Marine, Traffic, AGM Batteries, Gel Batteries, Broadband/CATV, Biomedical, Elevator, Alkaline Batteries, Patient Lift, SDS (Safety Data Sheets), Energy Storage, Chargers/Test Equipment, Electronic/Security, Floor Cleaning and more!