FAQ
Why is intAct Bike-Power AGM maintenance-free and not absolutely maintenance-free?
intAct Bike-Power AGM, intAct Bike-Power SLA, intAct Bike-Power GEL and intAct Bike-Power HVT are valve regulated lead-acid batteries or VRLA batteries.
VRLA batteries produce much less gas than wet batteries. The gas produced remains in the circuit of the battery due to gas recombination, excess pressure is prevented by a safety valve. These batteries lose significantly less liquid. They do not need to be topped up, and it is not even possible to do so, as they cannot be reopened without damage.
Both the intAct Bike-Power GEL and the two AGM technology based batteries intAct Bike-Power SLA and the intAct Bike-Power HVT are delivered already filled and charged. They are absolutely maintenance-free.
With the intAct Bike-Power AGM no maintenance is possible and necessary after the first filling. It is maintenance-free.
Advanced Flooded Battery, Absorbent Glass Mat, Active Material, Ampere, Ammeter, Amp-Hour, Average Drain, Alloy, Acid, Acid Pack, Acid Stratification
Good to know
Chargers in the showroom or car dealership
Showroom chargers are ideal for car dealers. They protect the battery while customers are test-seating the vehicle in the dealership. Consumers such as lights, cockpit displays and multimedia devices require power here during every demonstration, even every time the doors are opened, even though the car is not running, i.e. the battery is not being charged. Showroom chargers are permanently connected to the mains and the battery. They supply smaller consumers directly with power and charge the battery as required.
Ideally, they are small and unobtrusive and are stowed in the engine compartment or under the vehicle like the DEFA showroom chargers.
Showroom chargers are used in addition to the dealership in all situations where the on-board electronics need to function when the engine is switched off, e.g. at trade fairs, vehicle premieres, museums or businesses with regular public tours or demonstrations for customers.
Good to know
Batteries without vent hose
Only conventional, wet batteries need a vent hose, because they gas strongly during operation. The resulting steam can escape through the openings in the plugs. To prevent the vapour from damaging the vehicle, conventional batteries are vented to the outside via a vent hose.
AGM or GEL based batteries do not gas much. Most of the vapour is re-liquefied via the gas recombination and remains in the system. Such a sealed battery is leak-proof and can be installed at an angle or even upside down. For safety, a valve ensures that no overpressure occurs in the battery. Such a battery is also called a valve regulated battery or VRLA battery.
In car starter batteries with a labyrinth lid, the vapour condenses in the labyrinth of the lid and largely runs back into the liquid. Excess pressure is vented to the outside through a chimney-like opening. They can be installed at an inclination of up to 45°.
Good to know
What does low maintenance mean?
Low-maintenance batteries can be recognised by the removable sealing plugs on the top, the vent hose and the white or transparent housing. In these batteries, the electrolyte is in liquid form, i.e. it is not bound as GEL or in fleece. They are not sealed at the factory, but are activated by the addition of battery acid prior to installation. During normal operation they lose liquid.
To compensate for the loss of fluid promptly and to avoid damage to the battery, we recommend checking the fluid level every 3 months and, if necessary, refilling the battery with distilled water up to the mark (MAX).
Tip: In case of excessive water consumption:
Check battery box for leakage.
Have the function of the charge controller checked by a specialist.
FAQ
What does damage to the battery box indicate?
Damaged battery box
If the housing is leaking, cracked or chafed, this indicates destruction by external influences.
Tip: Look for a robust design in your next battery.
Deformed battery case
If the housing is deformed by heat, this indicates a defective charge controller or incorrect charger.
Tip: Always choose the right charger for your battery, your intended use and your individual requirements!
Tip: Your workshop can check whether your charge controller is working properly.
Wrinkled battery case
If the case is deformed on a single cell, this is an indication of plate growth due to deep discharge or a cell short circuit.
Tip: Always ensure a good state of charge.
Good to know
Which charger for which battery type?
The most important distinction is that sealed batteries and especially lithium batteries can react extremely to the heat and overpressure during overcharging. A reliable cut-off is particularly important here.
Modern fully automatic electronic chargers can charge all lead-acid starter and motorcycle batteries from wet batteries from antimony (Pb/Sb) to hybrid (Sb/Ca) to calcium batteries (Ca/Ca) and EFB start-stop batteries to fleece batteries AGM, SLA and HVT also start-stop batteries as well as GEL batteries. Some of them have a 14.7 volt switch to provide a higher charging voltage for calcium starter batteries, for example. Some of these chargers also support lithium batteries.
To be on the safe side, however, it is always advisable to look at the battery manufacturer's charging procedure recommendation. It is also necessary to obtain binding values for charging voltage (in volts) and charging current (in amps).
For traction batteries, batteries in safety systems and other local supply batteries, especially in commercial use, we recommend high-frequency chargers, which provide several characteristics, each exactly to the type of battery used. Here, too, a look at the battery manufacturer's charging recommendations is mandatory.
Backup Battery, Balancing, Battery Case, Battery Categories, Battery Care, Battery Hydrometer, Backfire Protection, Boost Charging
FAQ
What is wear and what can you do about it?
With a worn battery, the active material has degraded due to excessive load. Modern vehicles with many consumers constantly place higher demands on the battery. The capacity of the installed batteries is often not designed for this.
Prevention
The choice of the right battery plays an important role here. Strong vibrations and high temperatures place additional stress on the active material.
To help you select the right battery for your application and your individual requirements, we have put together some tips for buying batteries.
Simply scroll down under the relevant batteries:
Buying tips for motorcycle batteries
Buying tips for starter batteries
Buying tips for traction batteries
Buying tips for supply batteries
Good to know
Drive batteries with grid plates
The classic lead-acid battery in the closed, low-maintenance design is suitable for the light operation of golf caddies, wheelchairs, cleaning machines, mobile lifting platforms or light industrial trucks. With the best price-performance ratio, good high-current characteristics and relative cycle stability, grid plate batteries are long-lasting and always a good choice.
Good to know
Charge filled and charged battery before installation.
A battery that is not fully charged when installed will not reach its full capacity in the future and will have a significantly shortened service life.
Even factory-filled and charged batteries can lose charge during storage. We recommend that you also fully charge them before installation.
You can find out how to do this in our step-by-step guide to charging your battery.
Good to know
Always choose a battery that suits your individual requirements
Each battery technology has particular strengths, but also weaknesses. Depending on the requirements your battery has to meet in the respective application, or which properties you want, some battery technologies are more suitable or less suitable.
It is important to weigh up the properties.
Good to know
The order of disconnection and connection
The negative terminal is connected to the body, hence the name grounding. If you accidentally touch the positive terminal and the body at the same time when the negative terminal is connected, e.g. with a metallic tool, a short circuit could occur that would damage the battery or the on-board electronics.
How to do it right?
>> Remove battery
>> Install battery
Good to know
Checking the battery step by step
There are many reasons for weakening or failing batteries. An important step in tracking them down is to measure the voltage with a battery tester.
Here's how:
1. preparation
Disconnect the battery from the vehicle, if possible remove it. Tips on how to do this
Check the battery from the outside for damage. What to look for
If you're testing a low-maintenance battery:
Make sure it is completely filled - to MAX! Pay attention to the safety instructions.
2. testing
Connect the test device to the battery.
First connect the black cable/clamp to the negative terminal of the battery, then connect the red cable to the positive terminal.
Make adjustments.
intAct test power devices guide you step-by-step through the settings with precise instructions on the LED display.
Wait for the test procedure.
Read the results.
Our test devices evaluate the measured values and issue this or similar ratings:
a. Battery is ok and charged.
b. Battery needs to be charged.
c. Battery needs to be replaced.
Save and/or print measured values.
3. further procedure, depending on the result###.
a. Reinstall battery.
b. Charge battery before installation. Here you will find step by step instructions.
c. Replace battery. Here you will find tips for root cause analysis and help for battery selection for motorcycle, starter, drive and supply batteries.
FAQ
What is a motorcycle battery?
A battery that primarily starts the motorcycle. For this, the starter motor needs a lot of power for a short time. Important for this is the cold start power (CCA) that the battery provides, but also the characteristics. A battery with a high current reserve will start the motorcycle even partially charged, for example.
In addition, the motorcycle battery supplies the electrical consumers, since it is the only battery in the motorcycle. The more consumers are installed, especially retrofitted safety or entertainment features, the more capacity is needed so that the consumers are also supplied at idle or when the engine is off or the machine still starts after the consumers have been used.
Charging, Continous Test, Cutoff Voltage, Closed Battery, Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), Calcium Battery, Capacity, Carbon Additive, Constant Current Discharger, Constant Current Battery Charger, Corrosion, Charge Regulator, Charging Voltage, Cylindrical Battery, Constant-Voltage Battery-Charger, Current Collector, Circuit, Cell, Cell Short-Circuit, Cycle Life, Cycling, Cyclic Loads
Good to know
Gel motorcycle batteries
Especially for modern motorcycles with many electrical consumers and ABS, the gel batteries are intended (the acid is specified here as gel). They bring 30% more starting power than conventional batteries of the same box size with very low self-discharge, are very vibration-resistant and can be installed at an angle (up to 90°) due to the sealed design. With just a few battery types, they cover a wide range of motorcycle types and are also suitable for use in modern scooters, snowmobiles and jet skis.
FAQ
What is a UPS battery?
These block batteries ensure the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) of POS systems or smaller computer systems as well as security systems such as locking systems or security lighting when the power grid fails. UPS systems also protect the connected loads from damage or data loss due to mains fluctuations or mains surges. In addition to directly applicable block batteries such as the intAct Block-Power, individually configured battery systems are used for larger systems with high power requirements or special safety requirements. Our industrial division inbatt has the corresponding approval for the high-security area to offer this solution precisely.
Good to know
What does that even mean? Charging curve?
Current and voltage during charging can be measured and displayed as a curve over the course of the charging time. Depending on which processes, controls by switch-off (a) or switch-over points (0) are possible with a charger, one speaks of the provided charging characteristics.
Good to know
Caring for seasonally used starter batteries
Some batteries are only used seasonally - those in classic cars, motorcycles, boats, jet skis or snowmobiles, but also in certain utility, security or clearance vehicles.
If a battery is installed in a vehicle that is not used for a long time, it will lose its voltage. This can have various reasons:
Self-discharge of the battery
Leakage currents
Silent consumers
You can find out how to counteract this in our tips for the winter or summer break.
If the battery does not work reliably even after a very short standstill (a few days), we recommend that you check it thoroughly. We have compiled tips on how to do this here:
-[Detect what's wrong with the battery from the outside](popup://wissen:optical_check_frame).
-[Test like the pros](popup://wissen:test_step_by_step)
If the battery is left standing for a very long time and if it remains in a discharged state for too long, sulfation can occur, a typical "stand damage".
We recommend GEL batteries with low self-discharge for seasonal use. Or batteries based on AGM technology, which still deliver high cold start currents even when partially discharged.
Good to know
Charging correctly step by step
Tip: For full performance: Charge before first installation!
1. preparation
Check that your charger matches the battery.
Does the charger support the correct charging voltage?
Does the charging current provided match the battery?
What charging curve does your battery need?
Disconnect the battery from the vehicle, if possible remove it. Tips on how to proceed
Check the battery from the outside for damage. What to look for
If you want to charge a low-maintenance battery:
Make sure it is completely filled - to MAX! Pay attention to the safety instructions.
If possible, charge the battery open! Why?
Ensure good ventilation when charging and avoid sparks! Explosive gases can be generated.
2. loading
Attach clamps to the battery.
IMPORTANT: Always attach the red wire/clamp to the positive terminal first, then attach the black wire/clamp to the negative terminal. A short circuit with sparking or arcing is life-threatening. It will also cause lasting damage to the battery.
Connect the charger to the socket.
Switching on the charger
If the charger does not automatically make the correct settings: Adjust the voltage and select the charging characteristic.
Charging the battery
While charging, observe the LED, display or other indicator of the charger. Is the battery charging as desired?
Switch off the charger.
Disconnect charger from power supply.
Disconnect charger.
In reverse order, i.e. first disconnect the black cable/clamp from the negative terminal, then remove the red cable/clamp from the positive terminal.
3. install
Reinstall the battery. Note the order!
Good to know
Filling a dry pre-charged battery
Dry pre-charged batteries must be filled with battery acid and charged before installation.
Distilled Water, Double Lid, Degassing, Discharging, Depth of Discharge, Discharge Rate, Direct Current, Damage due to Long Down-Times, Deep Discharge, Deep-Cycle Battery, Dry-Charged
Good to know
AGM or GEL drive batteries
Drive batteries in AGM or GEL technology are sealed, absolutely maintenance-free, leak-proof batteries in a closed design with a fixed electrolyte (in fleece or gel). Both are suitable for medium to heavy cyclic use, for example in cleaning machines, golf caddies, light industrial trucks, lifting platforms, wheelchairs, motor homes and boats. AGM batteries usually deliver high currents and are still powerful even when partially charged, which provides flexibility in terms of operating time and charging times. Gel batteries are convincing due to their high vibration resistance.
Good to know
Charging the vehicle battery now and then
User chargers or consumer chargers are particularly easy to use and easy to maintain. They allow quick charging in between or when the battery is stored for a longer period of time before it is used again, e.g. a starter battery in a classic car that is only driven in summer or a small supply battery for camping.
Chargers like the DEFA Smartcharge get by with just one button, determine all the technical details independently and show the status of the charging process via LEDs or a display.
Consumer chargers can be used for starter batteries with 6, 12 or 24 volts in all private and commercial vehicles.
FAQ
How does a melted pole occur?
A melted pole is caused by a short circuit when the battery polarity is reversed during bridging or when the poles are connected by a tool or other object.
Tip: Take care when handling batteries.
Learn more about short circuit and how to avoid it.
Good to know
Always choose the right battery for the application
When choosing a battery, it basically depends on what it is to be used for.
The most important distinction is between starter batteries, including motorcycle batteries, and cyclic batteries such as traction or supply batteries.
Starter batteries, including motorcycle batteries, primarily have to start the vehicle.
Cyclic batteries power appliances for as long as possible before recharging: Traction batteries supply power to electric motors while supply batteries provide power to electrical loads independent of the power grid.
However, there are also hybrids between starter batteries and cyclic batteries, i.e. batteries that can do both. Examples of these are:
Starter batteries that also supply electrical consumers when the engine is not running in the motorcycle, car or commercial vehicle and the alternator is not supplying power, these are mainly but not only start-stop batteries.
Supply batteries that also have good starting properties, for example to start the engine on sailboats or in UPS systems in the event of a power failure a diesel generator, so-called dual-purpose batteries.
FAQ
Why should you charge wet batteries open?
Gases are produced during charging. As they rise, they mix the battery acid.
It is better for the battery if it is open during this process.
Important: This only applies to initial charging and to all batteries that can be opened. Never open a battery by force!
FAQ
What types of supply batteries are there?
In order to withstand the stress of cyclic operation for a long time without an excessive drop in performance, the active material in supply batteries is particularly well protected.
Depending on the technology used, this is done in different ways:
In supply batteries with tubular or armored plates, the active material is virtually armored in the tubes of the plate, making the intAct Traction-Power PzS suitable for heavy cyclic use up to 1,000 cycles according to IEC 254-1. In supply batteries with grid plates based on GEL, like the intAct GEL-Power, the gel-like fixed electrolyte ensures that the electrolyte is not lost, in AGM batteries like the intAct AGM-Power the separator fleece, which lies tightly against the plates. While the gel-like fixed electrolyte also ensures a permanently uniform current output, the AGM's glass-fibre fleece helps with fast charging and the provision of high charging currents. This effect is further enhanced in dual-purpose AGM-based batteries by providing more grid surface area and thus active material for the reaction, as in the Odyssey utility batteries by thinner plates of 99.99% pure lead and in the Optima Bluetop by winding the plates into tight round cells.
Lithium-based supply batteries have a particularly long service life. Due to the lithium technology there is almost no wear and tear, so that the intAct Lithium Power can withstand up to 3,500 cycles to 100 % depth of discharge without any loss of performance.
Enhanced Flooded Battery, Electrolysis, Electrolyte, End of Charging Voltage, Expanded Metall Grid
Good to know
Classic motorcycle batteries
Never change a running system. The classic lead-acid battery is suitable for almost all motorcycles and scooters and is the best choice if your customer wants a low-cost, high-performance starter battery and does not need to power additional equipment. You get reliable starting power in 12 or 6 V, coupled with long life, matched to the loads of normal motorcycle use. Our classic motorcycle batteries are dry pre-charged and come with an acid pack included, which means they can be stored almost indefinitely before being filled.
FAQ
What is short circuit and how do I prevent it?
Short-circuiting occurs when the two terminals or plates of a battery are accidentally connected together. This can happen if the separator between the plates is damaged by vibration, for example, or if excessive battery sludge builds up, closing the gap between the plates below the separator.
If the case is deformed on a single cell, this is an indication of such cell closure. However, it may also indicate excessive plate growth due to deepest charging.
Prevention
Selecting the battery suitable for the respective use helps in both cases. The intAct Bike-Power HVT is especially compact to protect all components. Cycle-resistant batteries such as the intAct Bike-Power GEL withstand frequent partial discharges well, i.e. they form less battery sludge than other battery classes.
In addition Even when bridging the battery, a short circuit can occur if the polarity is reversed or the two connection poles are accidentally connected by a tool or similar.
A short circuit caused by reversed polarity or accidental connection of the terminals can be recognised by the fact that at least one terminal has melted off.
If your battery is regularly exposed to strong vibrations or shocks, choose a SHD starter battery in future, such as the intAct Premium-Power Truck or the intAct Start-Stop-Power EFB, a HVT motorcycle battery such as the intAct Bike-Power HVT or the intAct Traction-Power PzS or intAct GEL-Power for drive or supply applications.
Good to know
Drive batteries with armoured plates
Wet deep-cycle batteries in armoured plate or tubular plate technology are designed for the heaviest loads. Several tubes, in which the active mass is quasi "armoured", are joined together to form plates. This design makes them extremely resilient and more cycle resistant than batteries with grid plates with the same battery box size. With up to 1,000 cycles at 80 % depth of discharge, they are suitable for heavy professional, cyclic use.
Good to know
Always choose a battery that matches the load
Depending on the type of battery, it is designed for certain loads:
Starter batteries must deliver as much current as possible during the starting process. The cold start current, measured in CCA, is informative here and shows how much starting power the battery can provide under optimum conditions.
Commercial vehicles such as heavy trucks or construction vehicles with particularly large displacement engines require more starting power (under the same ambient conditions) than small passenger cars.
In the case of motorcycle batteries, too, starting power is the most important factor, and this with much smaller installation dimensions. Heavy 2-cylinder motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, for example, require more starting power than a ride-on lawnmower.
You can find the required cold start power on your old battery.
Cyclic batteries, as supply batteries, must primarily supply the connected electrical consumers for a long time and, as traction batteries power the respective vehicles or machines for a long time.
In order to select a battery that is suitable for the load, the storage capacity is important. It is specified in Ah and represents how much current (in amperes = A) and for how long (in hours h) a fully charged battery can deliver under ideal conditions (uniform temperature, etc.). With these batteries, it is therefore a matter of the constant, permanent current output.
How many Ah your battery should have depends on what you want to drive with the battery. You can find help for the calculation in our sections traction batteries or supply batteries.
Good to know
Chargers for traction batteries
As with supply batteries, traction batteries are used in cyclic applications, i.e. the batteries are used until they are quite empty and are charged during idle times. Here, the charger is part of an effective drive application. The efficiency of the charger plays an important role, especially in operational scenarios where the downtimes of vehicles and machines such as forklifts or lifting platforms mean a loss of revenue. Equally important are the individual requirements of the operating environment, e.g. vehicles in cold storage have to be charged under extreme temperatures: Chargers like the Fronius Selectiva have a charging process adapted to Cold Logistics that warms the battery before charging. Or they have to operate in particularly harsh environments: The chargers in the inbatt N series are dust and splash-proof and designed for onboard use. With the chargers in our range, we have made our choice for you for many areas of application. For the optimal matching of battery and charger, especially in multi-shift, business-critical applications, we recommend an individual battery system concept from our industrial division inbatt. Including services such as assembly, leasing, battery care, etc.
Flat Plate, Float Charge, Flooded Battery, Fuse, Fill Level
FAQ
Do I need an EFB or AGM start-stop battery?
If an EFB start-stop battery is installed at the factory, it can be replaced again with an EFB start-stop battery. An upgrade to AGM is always possible.
If an AGM start-stop battery is installed at the factory, it may only be replaced with an AGM start-stop battery.
AGM batteries, with their high cold-start performance and good current consumption, are a good basis for start-stop batteries. EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) have similar strengths. They have evolved from the conventional flooded battery. A calcium grid alloy ensures better current transport in the cell and a higher cycle stability than in the classic wet battery. More information about the characteristics of the two start-stop types under intAct Start-Stop-Power AGM or intAct Start-Stop-Power EFB.
FAQ
What are motorcycle batteries suitable for?
Motorcycle batteries are not only used for motorized two-wheelers from classic cars to racing bikes, for scooters, light motorcycles, and mopeds from 50 cc, but also for four-wheeled sports and recreational vehicles and work vehicles with handlebars for any terrain also with all-wheel drive such as ATVs, Quads or with steering wheel like ride-on lawn mowers, for utility vehicles and recreational vehicles with side-by-side seats like UTVs and buggies, for snowmobiles for 1 - 2 persons like snowmobiles, snowmobiles and snow motorcycles as well as for water motorcycles like PWCs, jet boats, jet skis and similar.
Good to know
Dry pre-charge battery before installation.
A battery that is not fully charged when installed will not reach its full performance in the future and will have a significantly shortened service life.
Immediately after the first filling with acid, dry pre-charged batteries only reach 75 to 80 % of their rated power. They must therefore be charged before installation.
Even factory-filled and charged batteries can lose charge during storage. We recommend that they are also fully charged before installation.
You can find out how to do this in our step-by-step guide to charging your battery.
Good to know
Also important for starter batteries: the consumers
Even before the engine is started, the starter battery has to do a lot and supply standard equipment such as the lighting system. This draws current from the battery, which is no longer available for starting.
Nowadays, there are also a number of consumers that draw current before starting or while driving: Every electrical control element, every sensor and many measuring instruments need electricity to do their work. Also heaters and every mobile device that is permanently or temporarily connected to the vehicle.
Add up all these consumers and the question arises:
Is the current supplied by the alternator while driving enough to power all these consumers and charge the battery?
In order to check this, it is best to meticulously list all the consumers that are installed, especially all those that you have additionally installed, integrated or connected.
And find out how much current they require in amperes (A).
Batteries often have an Ah-value, which tells you how much current in amperes (A) the battery can supply for a certain duration in hours (h). Of course under optimal conditions.
FAQ
What is the point of vibration-proofing a starter battery?
Especially in trucks and other high-displacement commercial vehicles with diesel engines, there are strong vibrations that cause the battery to age prematurely. Our truck batteries in SHD versions are vibration resistant according to V3, like the intAct Start-Power NG Truck, or V4, like the intAct Premium-Power Truck.
But also in heavy passenger cars like SUVs and off-road vehicles the performance of the battery can suffer from the mechanical vibrations and shocks.
AGM batteries offer a good option here with the glass fibre separators: in the Optima Redtop, the wound plates pressed into the battery housing provide additional protection for the active material, and in the Odyssey starter batteries, the tightly layered, precisely fitted plates made of 99.99 % pure lead.
Another option for both cars and trucks is the intAct Start-Stop-Power EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery). This further developed flooded battery is also particularly vibration-resistant.
FAQ
What is a solar battery?
Utility batteries, which can be used as temporary storage for photovoltaic (PV) or small wind systems, are highly cycle resistant, meaning they can withstand different charging cycles well. In the renewable energy sector, charging cannot be done with a regular current, but the battery has to absorb the current according to the changing conditions of wind and sun. The intAct Solar-Power is perfectly suitable for intermediate storage in motorhomes and camping areas as well as small island systems in temporary used cabins or holiday homes.
Power storage systems for private households or the commercial sector require larger capacities. We offer correspondingly designed solutions consisting of battery cells and charge controllers through our industrial battery division inbatt.
Good to know
Always select a battery that matches the charging behavior
Starter batteries, including motorcycle batteries, are charged by the alternator while driving.
The charge takes place over a longer period of time with low current. Starter batteries are designed for this charging behaviour.
Some starter batteries combine high starting power with a particularly good current consumption, such as AGM batteries like the intAct Bike-Power AGM, the intAct Start-Stop AGM or the Odyssey batteries. Not only do they recharge better in normal use, but they can also be charged with a stronger charger and faster than other batteries. This can be advantageous for a lot of short trips or seasonal use.
Cyclic batteries such as traction batteries and supply batteries are discharged for a long time and then recharged by a charger.
This alternating charging and discharging is called cycling. Traction and supply batteries are designed for cycling.
Some traction batteries are used in applications with very short charging times. Here, the suitability for very high charging currents plays an important role and the exact matching to suitable chargers with the corresponding charging characteristic curve.
Some supply batteries are not charged from the power grid, but by electricity from photovoltaic applications or wind turbines. Here, it is important that they cope well with the fluctuating charging currents of renewable energies such as solar or wind.
The recharging behavior also plays an important role in safety-relevant applications such as emergency power supply or uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A special suitability for constant charging or trickle charging with low current over a long period of time ensures that the battery is always ready for use.
Ground Cable, Gassing, Gel Battery, Grid, Glass Mat, Gas Recombinant Technology
Good to know
The installation angle: Not all batteries are the same.
The tilt angle information on your battery tells you how to install it without leaking battery acid.
Why is this important? To protect your battery, your machine and yourself. Battery acid is highly corrosive and can damage your vehicle, including metal parts and electronics.
Flooded batteries with plugs like the intAct Bike-Power Classic can only be installed upright.
AGM motorcycle batteries, where the electrolyte is not liquid but bound in the glass fibre mats, differ, depending on whether they are sealed at the factory. The intAct Bike-Power AGM for example is sealed only after the first filling, it can be installed at an angle up to 45°. The intAct Bike-Power SLA and the intAct Bike-Power HVT are our factory sealed AGM batteries. They can be installed at an angle of up to 90° without leaking.
In GEL batteries the electrolyte is immobilized by a gel-additive. Both our intAct Bike-Power GEL and the intAct Bike-Power GEL HVT-HD are also sealed at the factory and can be installed at an angle of up to 90° without leaking.
In lithium batteries like our intAct Bike-Power Lithium there is no liquid electrolyte. They cannot leak and can therefore be installed upside down without hesitation.
Good to know
Checking the liquid level against sulphation
In a battery or accumulator, the chemical reaction between the active material of the grids and the acid generates current (electrons emitted) to supply the loads or stores current (electrons) provided by the charger or alternator.
If the acid only partially covers the grids, only the lower part of the grids can react with the acid. In the short term, less current is generated, in the medium to long term, the battery sulphates and breaks down.
Good to know
Chargers for rescue and safety vehicles
Emergency and rescue vehicles and other safety-related types of vehicles often sit around for months, but when it comes down to it, they need to be ready at a moment's notice to put out fires, rescue injured people or clear roads.
Chargers like the Fronius Acctiva-Twin can charge two 12-volt batteries in parallel, even if the batteries have been loaded differently by consumers.
Good to know
AGM and SLA Motorcycle Batteries
In these valve regulated batteries, the acid is bound in fleece (Absorbent Glass Mat). They lose very little liquid and are absolutely maintenance-free when sealed at the factory. AGM batteries, which come with an acid pack, are maintenance free after initial filling. They are less sensitive to vibrations than classic batteries, provide a higher safety reserve and are well suited for vehicles in year-round use.
Good to know
Identifying and filling the liquid level
Markings on the outside of the white or transparent housing of a wet battery indicate the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) fill levels.
During commissioning or initial filling, the battery must be filled with battery acid up to the upper mark (MAX).
During subsequent maintenance, the battery should be refilled with distilled water up to the MAX mark.
Good to know
AGM and gel supply batteries
Deep-cycle batteries in AGM or gel design can be used in a variety of applications. They are suitable as supply batteries in the areas of marine, solar and camping, because the electrolyte is bound in gel or fleece (Absorbent Glass Mat), which makes the batteries leak-proof, vibration-proof, absolutely maintenance-free and cyclically well loadable (approx. 400 cycles). There are versions for stand-by operation, e.g. for emergency lighting and UPSs, for operation with strongly fluctuating recharge currents, such as in solar applications, and also those that are extra cycle-resistant for safety applications.
Good to know
Wissen
Depending on the type, this battery is low-maintenance or maintenance-free.
Low maintenance version - TV types
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Low-maintenance design - GUG types
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Good to know
Wissen
This battery is maintenance free after initial charging.
In this it differs from other dry pre-charged batteries which are low maintenance.
Due to the AGM technology, only a little gas is produced in the battery, which is discharged via the safety valve. So almost no liquid is lost. It cannot and must not be opened again.
Good to know
First the format, then the capacity
A battery must of course fit in your vehicle, machine or device. Check the dimensions of your old battery or the available space where you want to install the battery.
Check that the terminals are easily accessible, that you can reach them easily with the existing cables and that the connections of your cables fit the battery.
Some batteries have a base plate that you can use to secure them if you have the space.
FAQ
What are truck batteries
Batteries in trucks, commercial vehicles, agricultural machines and buses have to be vibration resistant due to engine vibrations. Our truck batteries in SHD versions are vibration resistant according to V3, like intAct Start-Power NG Truck, or V4, like intAct Premium-Power Truck. For trucks with start-stop function EFB batteries are suitable, like the intAct Start-Stop-Power EFB Truck. They also cope well with the increased power consumption due to living in the driver's cab.
Truck batteries are suitable for agricultural machinery, construction vehicles, trucks, tractors, buses, coaches, emergency vehicles and much more.
Good to know
Charge lithium battery before installation
A battery that is not fully charged when installed will not reach its full performance in the future and will have a significantly shortened service life.
Lithium batteries can also lose charge during storage. We recommend that you also fully charge them before installation.
You can find out how to do this in our step-by-step guide to charging your battery.
Internal Resistance, Ion, Immobilized Electrolyte
Good to know
Lithium motorcycle batteries
Lithium-ion technology is the current top technology in the battery sector and a must for two-wheelers for whom space requirements and weight play a role, e.g. in racing or on long off-road tours. All technically highly equipped and upgraded motorcycles as well as jet skis, snowmobiles or ride-on lawnmowers that need to be ready for action quickly at any time are also well served by this. Thanks to the adapter pads (included), you can cover 90% of all common motorcycle battery types with 10 different lithium batteries.
FAQ
Why are the labels coming off my battery?
Detached labels indicate wear due to excessive temperatures.
Tip: Always give your battery time to cool down before charging or use a charger that charges temperature compensated.
Tip: If you operate your vehicle or device in a very hot environment, choose a battery that can withstand high temperatures.
FAQ
Why does this battery have such a good current draw?
Due to the AGM technology, this battery absorbs the current particularly well, i.e. it recharges faster than a conventional wet battery and you can charge it with a higher charging current or a more powerful charger, like the ?
This characteristic comes from the fact that in AGM batteries the acid is virtually pressed against the electrodes by the fleece separators. This means that the reaction surface in the battery is larger. This means that more sulphuric acid molecules can react with the active lead sulphate at the same time, which means that more electrons are bound at the same time during charging, i.e. more current is drawn. In addition, the special alloy of the grids conducts the current particularly well.
FAQ
What types of motorcycle batteries are there?
For motorcycles and four-wheeled small vehicles, there are classic flooded batteries in low-maintenance design (intAct Bike-Power Classic and Exide Bike Conventional) or maintenance-free (intAct Garden-Power), AGM batteries (intAct Bike-Power AGM, intAct Bike-Power SLA, Exide Bike AGM and our Odyssey motorcycle batteries), HVT and GEL batteries (intAct Bike-Power HVT, intAct Bike-Power GEL HVT-HD and intAct Bike-Power GEL) and Lithium batteries (intAct Bike-Power Lithium). To cover as many vehicle types as possible, there are batteries in 12-volt as well as 6-volt versions.
Good to know
Charging during long idle periods
If the vehicle is stationary for long periods and you make a lot of short journeys, it is advisable to charge the battery regularly with a charger, even if the battery has a low self-discharge rate or high cold-start performance. The exact intervals depend on your driving style, the weather and your vehicle.
FAQ
What do deposits on the battery plugs mean?
Black deposits on the plugs indicate a battery that has worn out prematurely due to continuous excessive load.
Tip: Always ensure a good balance between current drain and charging.
Information on capacity calculations and charging behaviour can be found in our Motorcycle batteries, Starter batteries, Drive batteries and Supply batteries.
Good to know
What does absolutely maintenance-free mean?
Absolutely maintenance-free batteries are valve-regulated lead-acid batteries or VRLA batteries (VRLA = Valve Regulated Lead-Acid) that are sealed at the factory. Here, significantly less gas is produced than in wet batteries. The gas produced remains in the circuit of the battery due to gas recombination. As a result, these batteries lose significantly less liquid. They do not need to be topped up, and it is not even possible to do so, as they cannot be opened again without damage.
FAQ
What do discoloured plugs mean?
A brown-reddish discoloration of the plugs indicates an overcharging of the battery and a fault in the charging system.
Tip: Your workshop can check whether your charge controller is working properly.
Tip: Check the function and characteristics of your charger and, if necessary, replace it with one that supports important safety features such as automatic switch-off, short-circuit protection, reverse polarity protection, etc.
Lead Sediments, Lead-Acid Battery, Lead Sulfate, Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery, Lithium-Ion Battery, Load, Low-Maintenance
FAQ
What are car batteries?
For normal passenger cars, also US vehicles, Asian models and classic cars, mostly modern, maintenance-free flooded batteries are used, such as the intAct Start-Power NG, the intAct Race-Power or the intAct Premium-Power.
These batteries are suitable for small cars, SUVs, jeeps, all-wheel drive vehicles, minivans, vans and many more.
If a back-up battery is provided in the car, AGM batteries such as our intAct Back-Up-Power are used for this purpose.
In vehicles with a lot of consumers, dual-purpose batteries like the Optima Redtop or the Odyssey starter batteries can be a good solution. Thanks to AGM technology with pure lead grids, they reliably supply power-hungry consumers and still start with high performance. This also makes them well suited for use in buses, motorhomes or boats in which no additional supply battery is installed.
Good to know
Determine excessive self-discharge
If the battery charge drops significantly, possibly overnight, this may be due to leakage current. Silent, unwanted loads can be detected with an ammeter. Oils or liquids deposited on the surface of the battery can also cause considerable self-discharge. It is therefore essential to keep the surface clean and dry.
Good to know
What the battery does
In a nutshell, the battery generates electricity, which it delivers to the consumers. It is charged and is ready again.
So far, so good. Meanwhile, a bit of chemistry happens inside the battery.
Current flow
In principle, current flows between a positive and a negative terminal (the two electrodes) as soon as they are connected to a consumer (e.g. the starter motor) or a charger.
Discharge process
During this process, the active material (PB or PbO2) on the electrodes reacts with the sulfuric acid used, the electrolyte (SO4), and lead sulfate (PbSO4) is formed, which is deposited on the electrodes and the acid loses density. The battery is discharged.
Charging process
During charging, most of the chemical process is reversed, most of the lead sulfate dissolves again and lead, lead dioxide and sulfuric acid are formed again. Because some lead sulfate always remains, the battery gradually ages.
M.A.S.S., Memory Effect, Maintenance-Free, Multimeter
Good to know
Chargers for supply batteries
In order to supply the connected consumers permanently, supply batteries usually have a larger capacity than starter batteries, which are intended to deliver a lot of power, especially in the short term. Chargers designed for starter batteries reach their performance limits here. Chargers for supply batteries are designed to quickly recharge the battery between two periods of use and ensure that it is available at all times, even during long idle periods, e.g. when the sun is shining and you spontaneously want to use the cool box for a camping or boating trip. In safety systems such as UPSs (uninterruptible power supply), the battery must be permanently fully charged in order to supply the connected loads in the event of a power failure. Chargers for these applications stay on the battery permanently, support standby, constant charge and trickle charge. In addition to wet batteries, AGM, gel, and lithium batteries are primarily used in utility applications. These battery technologies must be charged differently. More information on this can be found under Charging methods and Charging characteristics. For smaller supply batteries in the private or hobby sector we recommend the DEFA Smartcharge series, for professional supply applications the DEFA Workshop charger or the Fronius Selectiva series, the latter also for safety-relevant and UPS applications. For optimum matching of battery and charger, especially in multi-shift, business-critical applications, we recommend an individual battery system concept from our industrial division inbatt. Including services such as assembly, leasing, battery care, etc.
Good to know
What waterproof brings
Ideally, batteries should be kept dry. Even slight moisture can promote leakage currents.
If you've noticed condensation on your battery frequently in the past, such as with temperature fluctuations, or water can get to your battery, it's worth considering a splash-proof battery.
Whether and what protection a battery offers against dust and water is indicated by the protection class according to the IP code.
Many types of our intAct Bike-Power Lithium motorcycle battery and the intAct Lithium-Power supply battery are splash-proof and jet-proof or even waterproof. You can find the exact specifications for each type.
FAQ
What is a camper battery?
A supply battery used in motorhomes or campers, colloquially known as a camper battery. Typically, it is charged with stationary charging current at the RV parking lot or via a solar system, because the alternator is not sufficient to provide the necessary current.
As batteries can leak gases during normal operation, we recommend not to install the battery in the living area if possible or to use a sealed battery with safety valve, which causes almost no gases, like the intAct Active-Power AGM or the intAct Active-Power GEL. Depending on where the journey is to go, it makes sense to choose a battery that is particularly temperature-resistant, such as the Odyssey supply batteries, which also performs well in heat or cold.
Good to know
What the cold start performance says
Starter batteries primarily have to start the vehicle. To do this, they must deliver as much current as possible during the starting process, so the battery's high-current characteristics are important. The cold cranking amps (CCA) value provides information about the starting performance. It indicates the maximum current that the battery can provide for 30 seconds under optimum conditions. Depending on what kind of vehicle you want to start, more or less starting power is needed. A large capacity construction vehicle needs more power than a modern scooter.
Our battery finder suggests the batteries that match the starting power of your vehicle.
FAQ
What are start-stop batteries?
The EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) was developed for start-stop vehicles. This further development of the wet battery is significantly more cycle resistant, like the intAct Start-Stop-Power EFB. Because of the good current reserve, AGM batteries are also used here, like the intAct Start-Stop-Power AGM.
Start-stop batteries are suitable for micro-hybrids with brake energy recovery/recuperation, taxis, boats and many more.
Good to know
Round cell drive batteries
The "wound" grid of the round cell battery combines the advantages of a supply battery with good starting characteristics in a relatively small space. The battery has good recharge behaviour after deep discharge and good cyclic behaviour (approx. 300 cycles at 80% depth of discharge). With a constant power quality during the entire discharge process, it is particularly suitable for light use in wheelchairs, golf caddies, mobile habe platforms, car hi-fi systems and boats.
Non-Spillable, Negative (-), Negative (-) Plate, Nominal Voltage
FAQ
What is the benefit of cold starting power on a motorcycle battery?
A high cold start power ensures that a motorcycle will still start even if the battery is not fully charged. This can happen if the battery discharges during idle times, e.g. on motorcycles, ride-on lawnmowers or snowmobiles that are only used seasonally. Or even if the battery is only charged for a very short time during very short driving distances before having to restart the motorcycle.
The cold start power gives information about the power that a battery can provide quickly. In AGM batteries, the acid is virtually pressed against the electrodes by the fleece separators. This means that the reaction surface in the battery is larger. This means that more sulfuric acid molecules can react with the active lead sulfate at the same time, which simultaneously releases more electrons, i.e. more current is delivered. The alloy of the grids is also designed so that the current is conducted quickly to the consumers.
Due to these specific properties, the current is still sufficient for starting even when partially discharged. The same properties also ensure that the current is absorbed better, so that the battery charges faster, e.g. even over short distances.
Good to know
Installing the starter battery or motorcycle battery
First connect the positive cable (usually red) to the positive terminal of the battery.
Then connect the negative cable (usually black) to the negative terminal of the battery.
If you install a start-stop battery, you must then register the battery in the vehicle system.
FAQ
What is a traction battery?
Traction batteries supply power to the electric motor in machines and vehicles. They are designed to be charged with a charger when not in use and then discharged when in use. Traction batteries are designed for this repetitive alternation between charging and discharging or cycling. Unlike starter batteries, they tolerate being repeatedly discharged to a depth of discharge of up to 80 % well due to the special composition and construction of the grids and separators. The cycle stability of a traction battery provides information on how often it can reach this depth of discharge under ideal circumstances before it is damaged.
Good to know
The application determines how many volts are required.
In order not to damage either the connected loads or the battery, the voltage of the battery must fit.
Batteries are available with 6 or 12 volts. They consist of 3 or 6 cells of 2.12 volts each.
For applications that require more voltage, such as the on-board network of a truck, several 12-volt batteries are connected in series.
FAQ
What does dry pre-charged mean?
With dry pre-charged batteries, the acid is not yet filled, but the workshop, customer service or the user must fill it with battery acid and charge it before installation.
With the intAct Bike-Power Classic and the intAct Bike-Power AGM, an acid pack with exactly the right amount of battery acid is supplied.
Open-Circuit Voltage, Overcharging
Good to know
Whether short or long: charging takes place while driving
How much time does your battery normally have to charge? If your journeys are never shorter than 100 km, this is different from if you regularly only drive distances of 1 - 2 km. The alternator charges the battery with a steady, low current. It takes some time to compensate for the high current drain at the start.
It is difficult to predict how long this will take with your vehicle and your driving style. However, we recommend choosing a battery that starts well even when partially discharged and that has good charging characteristics, i.e. it recovers the current quickly, especially for short journeys.
If you mainly drive short distances, we have compiled some information about what happens in the battery and how you can prevent this: What is sulfation and what can you do about it.
Good to know
Round cell supply batteries
Similar to the tank cell, the surface area is increased by "winding" the grids, resulting in a larger amount of active mass. The box size is relatively compact, so you get the benefits of a utility battery in a small space, along with good starting characteristics. Thanks to AGM technology, these batteries have good cyclic behaviour (approx. 300 cycles) and are very resistant to vibration. These batteries are used in buses, motor homes, boats, solar and wind power systems in the semi-professional sector.
FAQ
What is a back-up battery?
In some cars, so many consumers are installed from the outset that it would overload the starter battery to supply them. This is where so-called back-up batteries are used.
If your car is equipped with a back-up battery, you should replace it again with a battery for this purpose, like our intAct Back-Up-Power.
Good to know
Safety instructions for handling acid
Battery acid consists partly of sulphuric acid, which is highly corrosive. It attacks your skin, textiles and even metal.
Put on protective clothing! So always wear gloves, safety glasses and possibly an acid-proof apron when handling batteries.
Choose a suitable work surface!
Do not spill anything! Make sure that no acid gets on vehicle or machine parts.
Explosive gases are produced by the chemical processes in the battery during charging at the latest, but also when the acid comes into contact with the electrodes.
Ventilate well! Only work on batteries in well-ventilated rooms!
Avoid sparks! Do not use open flames or cigarettes near batteries and avoid sparks!
FAQ
Why does the intAct Bike-Power AGM not have a vent hose?
The intAct Bike-Power AGM is a VRLA battery, i.e. a valve-regulated lead acid battery. The little gas that is produced is returned to the circuit by gas recombination and overpressure is prevented by the safety valve. The usual venting of wet batteries such as the intAct Bike-Power Classic does not take place, so there is no need to discharge gas or vapour from the interior of the vehicle to prevent it from condensing under the trim parts and leading to corrosion.
FAQ
What is sulfation and what can you do about it?
Sulphation or sulphation is an undesirable ageing process in batteries where too much lead sulphate forms on the lead plates, which cannot be removed even with prolonged charging. The battery's capacity drops significantly, or it fails altogether. Sulfation is typical static damage that occurs when a battery is left in a discharged state for too long or is charged incorrectly or too little.
With frequent short distance driving, sulfation builds up and builds up. The small amount of charge during the short journey is not sufficient to reduce the lead sulphate produced during the starting process (=discharging). The decreasing power of the battery also decreases its ability to draw current, i.e. during the next short drive the battery is charged even less, i.e. even less lead sulphate is converted again.
If sulphation is far advanced, there are clearly visible whitish-grey deposits on the poles, the so-called "pole growth".
Prevention
This can be prevented by short-distance drivers using an external charger to ensure that the battery is always sufficiently charged, by fully charging the battery before the winter break and by counteracting self-discharge during standstill periods by regular charging. Modern chargers also allow trickle charging, so that the battery voltage never falls below a certain value.
Some chargers have a desulphation phase in which the lead sulphate is dissolved by short current surges.
Good to know
A coherent equation: A lot out, a lot in.
Every battery loses power over time.
If it is loaded normally and is always fully charged, the capacity is slowly reduced.
If it is often overloaded and insufficiently charged, the capacity is reduced much more quickly, i.e. the battery ages much faster.
Ideally, current drain (load) and current consumption (charge) should be in balance. This prevents the battery from ageing prematurely.
Parallel Circuit, Plate, Plate Pack, Plate Set, Polarity, Pole Grease, Positive (+), Positive (+) Plate, Primary Battery, Pulse Charge, Pure Lead Battery, Placement of Terminals
Good to know
Check battery externally before charging
If the battery box is damaged or deformed, replace the battery.
Clean dirty terminals with a wire brush.
Remove oils, fluids or other deposits.
For batteries with plugs, check fluid level and refill to MAX with distilled water if necessary.
Good to know
Every battery ages
With each charge/discharge process (cycle), active material is inevitably lost and the battery's performance declines. Once it has fallen to the point where it can no longer fulfil its purpose - e.g. start the vehicle, supply the consumers or drive the machine - the battery has reached the end of its service life. Several factors can accelerate premature ageing.
Good to know
Seasonal use of drive or supply battery
Many vehicles, devices or machines are only used seasonally or on certain occasions. Ideally, your battery should be ready whenever you need it. That's why we recommend always storing batteries fully charged, at approx. 15 to 18° C and in a dry place, and disconnecting them from the consumers when they are not in use for longer periods of time. But even with these precautions, the battery loses voltage over time.
To counteract self-discharge, it makes sense to charge the battery with a charger every 6 to 8 weeks. There are also chargers that can remain permanently connected to the battery and constantly recharge it slightly. However, this is at the expense of the life of the battery.
Or you can use a GEL battery like the intAct GEL-Power, which has a lower self-discharge than batteries with other technologies.
Good to know
Why is the charging voltage of the charger important?
In principle, when charging, the electrons within the battery move from one electrode to the other, in the opposite direction to when they draw current, i.e. discharge. If a discharged battery is provided with too high a voltage from the current or voltage source, the temperature inside the battery will rise too much (due to the friction of the electrons moving at the same time) and the mechanical stress can cause active material to detach from the electrodes and fall to the ground (forming battery sludge). Thus, the performance of the battery suffers and cell closure may occur.
Good to know
Removing the starter battery or motorcycle battery
If you want to remove a start-stop battery: inform the vehicle system before removal.
First disconnect the negative cable (usually black), also called ground or earth, from the negative terminal of the battery.
Then remove the positive cable (usually red) from the positive terminal of the battery.
Recycling Effiency, Rapid-Charge Battery, Reversed Polarity, Resistor
Good to know
How does a charger work?
In principle, the charger reverses the chemical process that provides the current output in the charged battery.
To do this, it provides the battery with voltage (in volts) and current (in amps). The charge controller in the charger decides how much current and voltage are charged and in which sequence, i.e. according to which characteristic curve. Different battery technologies such as GEL, AGM or lithium require different charging procedures or charging characteristics.
FAQ
What does pole growth on the battery mean?
Whitish-grey deposits on the poles, so-called "pole growth", is caused by strong sulphation on the plates.
Tip: Always ensure a good state of charge.
Sealed Maintenance-Free, Smart Charger, Short Circuit, State of Charge, Service Life, Shock-Resistant, Secondary Battery, Self-Discharge, Self-Discharge Rate, Separator, Series/Parallel Circuit, Series Circuit, Super-Heavy Duty Battery, Safety Reserve, Silver, Start-Light-Ignition, Spacer, Specific Gravity, Standby, SLI Battery, Stationary Battery, Silent Loads, Sulfating, Supply Battery
Good to know
Cleanliness pays off
To ensure proper battery function, it makes sense to keep the battery surface clean and dry. Greasy or silicone-containing dirt on the lid can hinder the flow of current. Moisture on the battery can cause a short circuit in the worst case.
Good to know
The difference between low maintenance, maintenance free and absolutely maintenance free.
Low-maintenance, flooded lead-acid batteries lose fluid during normal use. They must be maintained, i.e. the fluid level should be checked regularly and the fluid loss compensated with distilled water if necessary. These batteries usually have vent caps on the top and vent holes as well as a vent hose. It is also advisable to check regularly whether liquid has overflown during heavy charging, as acid can lead to corrosion and damage the cables or the vehicle.
In contrast, maintenance-free batteries leak almost no fluid. They don't have vent caps on the top, but a lid that you can't open. In some cases, there is a labyrinth in the lid where rising vapor is condensed and returned to the system. These closed batteries lose liquid if they are tilted heavily or used or charged improperly.
Absolutely maintenance free batteries are designed to produce extremely little gas. The gas produced remains in the circuit of the battery by gas recombination, excess pressure is prevented by a safety valve. Because of this valve, these batteries are also called valve-regulated lead-acid batteries or VRLA batteries. These batteries do not lose liquid during normal operation. Refilling is also not possible, because the battery cannot be opened!
Good to know
Our absolutely maintenance-free motorcycle batteries
intAct Bike-Power AGM, intAct Bike-Power SLA, intAct Bike-Power GEL, intAct Bike-Power HVT and intAct Bike-Power GEL HVT-HD are valve regulated lead-acid batteries or VRLA batteries (VRLA=Valve Regulated Lead-Acid).
VRLA batteries produce much less gas than wet batteries. The gas produced remains in the circuit of the battery due to gas recombination, excess pressure is prevented by a safety valve. These batteries lose significantly less liquid. They do not need to be topped up, and it is not even possible to do so, as they cannot be reopened without damage.
Both the intAct Bike-Power GEL and the intAct Bike-Power GEL HVT-HD as well as the two batteries based on AGM technology and filled ex works intAct Bike-Power SLA and intAct Bike-Power HVT are delivered already filled and charged. They are absolutely maintenance-free.
Good to know
Supply batteries with armoured plates
Wet deep-cycle batteries in armoured plate or tubular plate technology are designed for the most severe loads. Due to their structure, the tubular plates used provide a larger surface area compared to grid plates and thus more active mass for the chemical reaction. These batteries are extremely resilient, very resistant to vibration and have a very high cycle stability. With a depth of discharge of up to approx. 80 %, they can be charged and discharged up to 1,000 times, making them perfect for demanding solar applications.
Good to know
Dimensions before starting power
First of all, a battery must fit in your vehicle or machine. Check the dimensions of your old battery or the available space in the battery compartment of your vehicle.
The placement of the terminals, i.e. where exactly the positive and negative terminals are located on the battery, and where the venting takes place, also play a role. If the poles are positioned differently than intended for your vehicle or machine, the lengths of the connecting cables may not be long enough, the poles may not be accessible or the battery may not fit in the intended place.
Equally important is the shape of the connection or end terminals, so that the screws or clamps present on your cables can be attached to the battery.
FAQ
What is a starter battery?
A battery that is charged by the alternator and starts the vehicle. For this purpose, the starter motor requires a lot of current for a short time. In addition to the cold start capacity (CCA), which indicates how much current the battery can ideally supply, the properties of a battery influence how reliably it can provide this starting power. A battery with very good charging properties recharges more quickly, for example, which benefits vehicles in city traffic in particular. It also supplies the consumers in vehicles without an additional back-up battery or supply battery. The more electrical consumers are installed at the factory or retrofitted, the more capacity is required to supply them when the vehicle is idling or at an engine stop and still reliably restart the vehicle.
Good to know
Causal research for better purchasing decisions
Batteries age and fail. Sometimes it happens faster than you planned.
If you know the cause of premature aging, you have a chance to make a more appropriate choice now: A battery that fits your technical requirements, intended use, and individual habits and needs.
Appropriate care measures can reduce premature ageing.
So it's all about determining why your battery failed and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you again.
So: It's best to start with the external check
Learn more about typical causes of premature failure and how to avoid them in the future here:
What is sulfation and what can you do about it.
What is short circuit and what can you do about it?
What is wear and tear and what can you do about it?
What is corrosion and what can you do about it?
FAQ
Do I need a start-stop battery or a normal one?
In start-stop vehicles, the engine stops every time the vehicle is in neutral. This saves petrol and reduces air pollution. However, this means an extremely high load for the battery.
It has to start much more often, i.e. deliver high currents, than a normal starter battery. At the same time, it has to supply the consumers while the engine stops. Between stops, it only has a short time to recover the necessary current.
Therefore, only start-stop batteries designed for this load may be used in vehicles with start-stop systems. Normal starter batteries would age extremely quickly.
Then the only question left is: Do you need an EFB or AGM start-stop battery?
Good to know
Chargers in a workshop
Especially for workshops, there is another charger that supplies the vehicle with power during diagnoses and software updates on the vehicle electronics. During this phase, the vehicle management system requires a particularly large amount of power and for a particularly long time, which most starter batteries would not be able to provide. Here, too, the charger protects the installed battery from premature ageing. Workshop equipment needs special high-current characteristics. They are often splash-proof and dust-proof to withstand the typical environment of an automotive workshop, like the Fronius Acctiva Professional Flash.
Traction Battery, Terminal, Terminal Pole Type, Terminal Voltage, Tubular Plate, Terminal Bridge, Temperature Cut-off
Good to know
Pay attention to the state of charge
We recommend:
Check the charge level every 2 - 3 months if ...
... the vehicle is often left unused.
... you drive a lot of short distances.
... many consumers are installed.
... it is cold.
... in start-stop systems the engine does not switch off as intended when the vehicle stops.
Check at the latest when ...
... the vehicle starts sluggishly,
... or the performance of the battery drops noticeably
If you want to know at any time whether you need to recharge your battery: Simply monitor the state of charge with the intAct Battery-Guard.
Good to know
Avoid corrosion
The plates in a battery will corrode if they are not completely covered by battery water.
Reasons for corrosion Sealing damaged before filling in dry pre-charged batteries Closed, low-maintenance batteries such as the intAct Bike-Power Classic are dry pre-charged (TV), sealed and delivered with acid pack. The seal preserves the pre-charge and protects against oxidation.
Precaution: The seal must only be removed directly before filling and use. If it is damaged, the battery must be refilled immediately and treated as a filled and charged battery from then on.
Insufficient maintenance During normal operation, sealed, low-maintenance batteries lose minimal fluid. From the time of initial filling, their level must be checked regularly and topped up with distilled water if necessary. Because they are not sealed, they can also leak and thus lose fluid, e.g. if a motorcycle falls over.
Precaution: Regular maintenance, at least every 2 to 3 months.
Damaged housing If the housing is leaking, cracked or chafed, this indicates destruction by external influences. Note: Sealed batteries cannot be topped up, but they can also lose fluid, e.g. through a damaged battery box.
Precaution: Avoid damage to the battery box and check it regularly.
Excessively high temperatures, during operation or charging
If temperatures are too high, a battery may use too much water. Some batteries are more heat resistant than others. Overcharging a battery due to improper charging, e.g. with an unsuitable charger or faulty alternator/alternator regulator, also leads to extremely high water consumption.
If the housing is deformed by heat or even burst open, this points to a defective charge controller or incorrect charger.
Detached labels also indicate high temperatures, during charging or in the vicinity of the battery.
Precaution: Check that your charger matches the battery and make sure it is working properly. If you charge your battery via the alternator, especially while driving, have a professional check that the charge controller is working correctly. Select a battery that is less sensitive to temperature. If you plan to use your battery in a hot environment or if your traction battery has little time to cool down before charging, you should use a battery that handles high temperatures well, such as an Oddysey Extreme.
Good to know
Time for recovery
Before the winter or summer break, it is best to remove the battery or at least disconnect it and store it in a cool (ideally at 10 to 15 °C) and dry place. Charge every 4 to 6 weeks for 24 to 48 hours with a suitable charger.
Check the state of charge at the latest at the start of the season and preferably charge overnight.
FAQ
What is a supply battery?
Supply batteries must provide power for as long as possible for consumers that are not connected to the regular power grid or the starter battery. Either in mobile applications, e.g. camping or in island installations such as mountain huts, or in safety applications when the normal power grid fails or to compensate for so-called mains wipers. Depending on the application, they are charged with a charger from the mains or via smaller photovoltaic or wind power systems.
So not only do they have to supply power for a long time and then take it up again well, but they also have to cope well with changing current levels and voltages.
Supply batteries are cyclic batteries, i.e. they are designed to continuously deliver current up to a maximum depth of discharge of 80% when supplying electrical consumers and then to be fully recharged again. In contrast, a starter battery delivers a short, strong current surge for starting the engine and is recharged by the alternator while driving.
Unwanted Resistance, Uninterrupted Power Supply
Good to know
Supply batteries with grid plates
Wet (flooded) deep-cycle lead-acid batteries with grid plates are particularly suitable for small and medium-sized solar applications and wind turbines thanks to their good capacity absorption and maximum capacity reserves. Grid plate technology is robust and mature and ideally suited for low loads, for example in the hobby and camping sector. Available in 6-volt and 12-volt versions, with approx. 300 and 700 cycles respectively.
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HVT motorcycle batteries
The lead-acid battery with fixed electrolyte for all those whose motorcycle is subjected to particular stress due to shocks or vibrations. Designed to meet the demands of Harley-Davidson motorcycles with large displacement 2-cylinder V-engines, HVT batteries are extra robust, particularly resistant to vibration and absolutely leak-proof. They are also suitable for motorcycles with a high demand for electrical energy and special applications such as ABS (e.g. BMW) and use in snowmobiles and jet skis.
Good to know
What does maintenance-free mean?
In maintenance-free batteries, the electrolyte is in liquid form. They are usually closed at the factory, often with a double or labyrinth lid in which any gases produced condense and remain in the battery. In normal operation, maintenance-free ones do not lose any liquid. They cannot be opened, refilling is not possible and not necessary.
Good to know
Transformer charger versus high-frequency charger
Transformer chargers with a downstream rectifier are relatively inexpensive, but they are large, heavy and less efficient than high-frequency chargers. They allow 1- to 3-step charging methods based on the W-characteristic (W, Wa, WaPuls, W0Wa, WU, WUWa etc.). Without automatic cut-off, transformer chargers are not recommended under any circumstances. They are mainly suitable for wet batteries.
High-frequency chargers (HF) or also primary switched-mode power supply chargers enable numerous charging methods, even with many charging phases or charging stages in one unit, e.g. gentle voltage start-up possible, so-called soft start. Due to the microprocessor control and external interfaces, special characteristics per operation or individual characteristics per battery are also programmable. They can be used for different voltages and capacity ranges. The charging times are shorter here, with higher efficiency, usually over 94 % and thus up to 15 % more than 50 Hz transformer chargers. HF chargers are up to four times smaller and significantly lighter, have lower heat generation and lower water consumption. Battery data and charging history can be read out via integrated interfaces, which is the prerequisite for effective battery and charging system management.
FAQ
Why do we recommend charging the intAct Bike-Power AGM regularly with a charger despite the high cold start performance and good current reserve?
With many short journeys or long standstill times, the charge level continues to build up. This means that the battery receives less energy from the alternator than it needs for starting. Its charge level gradually drops. Once a battery is discharged to below approx. 50% or approx. 11.8 V, it is unlikely that it can be recharged. To avoid this, we recommend charging regularly with a charger.
Good to know
Lithium supply batteries
The capacity and performance of lithium iron phosphate batteries are very high compared to other batteries of the same box size. They have an extremely long life expectancy, low self-discharge and can tolerate the highest charging currents. To fully charge them, a smaller PV system is sufficient than is required for a lead-acid battery of comparable capacity, and it is faster. This makes them particularly suitable for supplying power in camping or marine applications.
Good to know
When is a multi-voltage charger worthwhile?
Electronic chargers can support different voltages. Depending on whether you only want to charge a car starter battery or also a scooter, motorhome supply battery or drive battery for small vehicles or industrial trucks, it may be worth reaching for a charger that supports batteries with different voltages.
Vented Battery, Venting Hose, Voltage, Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Battery, Vibration, Voltmeter
Wet Charged, Watt, Watt-Hour