FAQs

A battery is a device for storing electrical energy in a chemical form, and then releasing it as direct current in a controlled way.

All types of batteries contain a positive and a negative electrode immersed in an electrolyte, the whole assembly being within a container.
Most Axess batteries are lead-acid batteries, which means that they have positive and negative electrodes made of lead compounds in a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte.

Lead-acid batteries are secondary batteries, which means that they can be recharged after they have been discharged. Primary batteries can be discharged only once and then have to be thrown away; examples are some types of torch and radio batteries.

In the 1860s, George Leclanche of France developed what would be the forerunner of the world’s first widely used battery; the zinc carbon cell. The anode was a zinc and mercury-alloyed rod (zinc, the anode in Alessandro Volta’s original cell, proved to be one of the best metals for the job). The cathode was a porous cup of crushed manganese dioxide and some carbon. Into the mix was inserted a carbon rod to act as the current collector. Both the anode and the cathode cup were plunged into a liquid solution of ammonium chloride, which acted as the electrolyte.

The system was called a “wet cell.” Though Leclanche’s cell was rugged and inexpensive, it was eventually replaced by the improved “dry cell" in the 1880s. The anode became the zinc can containing the cell, and the electrolyte became a paste rather than a liquid; basically the zinc carbon cell that is known today.

The positive electrode is made of lead dioxide and the negative electrode is made of porous lead.
When an electrical load (for example lights or a starter-motor) is connected across the battery, a current flows through the electrolyte in the battery and through the external load. This causes the battery to discharge, which results in the chemical composition of both the electrodes changing to lead sulphate.

A battery can be charged by putting a current through the battery from an outside source of electricity such as an alternator, dynamo or charging unit. This converts the lead sulphate back to the original materials of lead dioxide and porous lead.

As the battery becomes charged, the electricity begins to decompose (hydrolyse) the water in the electrolyte into its constituent elements of hydrogen and oxygen, which are released as gas. This is why a battery gases when it is charged.

Axess Power Battery Manufacturing Plant in Milan, Italy is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

30 years ago, batteries lost water at a high rate, and consumers were advised to check the acid level as one of their weekly checks; modern maintenance free batteries need no water addition throughout their life under normal operating conditions. Incidentally, during the same period, battery life has doubled from 2 years to 4-5 years.

In the past, battery grids were made of an alloy of lead with 10 per cent of antimony; the purpose of the antimony was to give rigidity as pure lead would be too soft on its own. Unfortunately, some of the antimony dissolved in the acid and resulted in the battery losing water.

With improvements in battery technology, we have been able to reduce the antimony content from 10 per cent to 1.5 per cent, and this reduction has resulted in batteries that are low maintenance, needing only yearly attention.

The latest improvement has been the use of 0.1 per cent of calcium as a hardening agent in grids in place of antimony; this causes less contamination of the acid and much reduced water loss, making the battery maintenance-free so no water needs to be added during its operational life.

Calculate the connected load and choose the battery rating and quantity accordingly for the required backup time.

Do not mix old and new batteries. Doing so will reduce overall performance and may cause battery leakage or rupture. We recommend replacing all batteries within a device.

We do recommend changing all batteries in a unit at the same time. A partially used battery will drain energy from a new one, reducing the total amount of battery power available.

We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.

Axess Power products are extremely safe providing sensible handling, installation and charging practices are followed.

Our AGM battery cases and lids are made from ABS plastic that complies with a specific UL rating. Depending on the application, some cases are manufactured from ABS that has a higher resistance to flame than the standard model.

Both kinds of batteries are valve regulated types. The difference lies in the way the electrolyte is immobilized. In case of an absorbed electrolyte type (AGM), the electrolyte is absorbed by the glass fiber separator which acts like a sponge. In a gel-type battery the liquid electrolyte is converted into a gel during the manufacturing process. Gel batteries use a different type of separator, the internal design is otherwise similar.

SLA and VRLA are different acronyms for the same battery, Sealed Lead Acid or Valve Regulated Lead Acid. This battery type has the following characteristics: Maintenance-free, leak-proof, position insensitive. Batteries of this kind have a safety vent to release gas in case of excessive internal pressure build up. AGM, Absorbed Glass Mat refers to a specific type of SLA/VRLA where the electrolyte is absorbed into separators between the plates consisting of sponge like fine glass fiber mats.

Lithium and alkaline batteries employ different chemistries for maximum performance in different devices. Lightweight and compact, lithium batteries often come in distinctive sizes for use in specific devices.

The number of charge/discharge cycles that can be achieved before a battery reaches the end of its’ useful life. The number of cycles depends on the capacity taken from the battery (a function of discharge rate and depth of discharge), operating temperature and charging method.

The life expectancy of a battery under continuous float charge. The float service life, or life expectancy under continuous charge, depends on the frequency and depth of discharge, the charge voltage, and the ambient temperature.

The conventional direction is from positive terminal (anode) to negative terminal (cathode). This is the direction of the electric field within the wire.

You should never seek to add acid to our sealed batteries. Our VRLA batteries are a closed system that works on a recombination principle. To produce a truly maintenance free battery it is necessary that the gasses generated during overcharge are recombined in a so called “oxygen cycle"

Although most batteries contain chemicals that won’t harm exposed skin, they should still be treated as any chemical would. Always take precautions when handling exposed battery chemicals. Battery chemicals shouldn’t be placed near the eyes or ingested. Contact a physician immediately if this should occur.

NEVER light or dispose of batteries in a fire—they may explode, rupture, and cause safety risks.

We recommend storing batteries at room temperature in a dry environment. Extreme heat or cold reduces battery performance. You’ll want to avoid putting battery-powered devices in very warm places. In addition, refrigeration is not necessary or recommended.

In Milan, Italy, Axess Power Battery Manufacturing is a leading and top exporter of batteries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and worldwide.