Gasoline-powered lawn mowers are loud, and emit a great deal of pollution. The solution is the electrical or battery-powered lawn mower. Battery-powered lawn mowers are good for small lawns.

Most lawn mowers are powered by gasoline. Up until recently they have been the easiest mowers to use. It was necessary only to pull the starter cord a few times, or use the electric starter, and then mow to your heart’s content. But gasoline-powered mowers are noisy and they do rather pollute the air with their emissions.

One of the knocks against the electric-powered lawnmower was that it was awkward to use. The mower must be plugged in via a long power cord, and care must be taken not to snarl or run over the power cord.

Now, you’ve got another choice - the battery-operated lawnmower. A battery-operated lawnmower will generally have enough power to allow the operator to mow both the front and back yards on one charge, unless they are extremely large.

It all depends on the battery, though. Some batteries last for thirty minutes between charges, others last up to an hour. The key thing is that they are rechargeable, so that there’s no need to bury them in a garbage dump. Although…even these batteries only last about five years or so - and then must be recycled.

There are several types of batteries: alkaline - which are not used in lawn mowers, lead acid - which are gradually being replaced by nickel cadmium, and lithium batteries - which are not only expensive but also have low storage capacity.

Nickel cadmium batteries
If you are buying a new battery operated lawn mower, make sure you get one powered by a nickel cadmium (Ni-cad) battery. They are simply better than the lead acid - they can be recycled and are environmentally friendly.

Extending battery life
As with any other type of mower, there are times when you should mow your lawn and times when you shouldn’t. You should never try to mow wet grass - it produces a tremendous strain on the battery - or engine - and doesn’t do your grass much good, either. Don’t let your grass grow such that you’re cutting off more than three inches at a time - again, bad for the engine or battery, and bad for the grass itself.

Ni-Cad batteries
Ni-Cad batteries are maintenance free. All you need to do is make sure you do not re-charge the batteries until they are completely discharged. The batteries have a ‘memory’ - if you recharge them when they don’t need to be, they will remember the energy state they were at when they were recharged, and will believe themselves to be run down the next time they reach that state - even though they have plenty of power left. (Okay, there’s a bit of anthropomorphism there, but you get the idea.)

If you’re concerned about the environment - and we all should be - the battery-operated or electrical lawn mowers should be our choice.

Mr.Andrew Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/lawn-mower-batteries-what-you-need-to-know-126810.html

Modern cars are much more complex than cars built twenty or thirty years ago. Manufacturers build advanced cars and include more and more accessories and features in their cars, and all these features are based on electricity to run. In addition, in some cases, people install after market accessories into their cars (such as more powerful audio systems) and it should come to no surprise that a car’s battery is very heavily loaded.

You may use the car’s electric systems to excess or you may forget you left your car’s headlights on over night. So batteries problems are quite common and frequent and if you know what to do in such scenarios, reconditioning an old battery or reviving an apparent dead battery is quite easy.

The most important of these actions can be performed by anyone with the proper equipment and the necessary accessories and best of all it will not cost you over $40. In fact, these tips can be put into practice when it comes to various batteries reconditioning, from car batteries to cell phone and even iPod batteries.

You can even take things further, because if you learn how to recondition batteries, you may even find it to be a profitable business venture on a small scale. There are several things you have to take into consideration when reconditioning a battery.

First, batteries of all sorts, car batteries included, are filled with dangerous acid and proper handling is vital to avoid any accidents. If you injure yourself while reconditioning a battery, consult a medic at once, as many dangerous chemical elements are included in a modern car battery. Batteries nowadays are more environmental friendly than a couple years ago, but they still have components that are dangerous to the environment so dead batteries and batteries’ parts should be disposed of in their proper places.

So let us get started and you will see how easy battery reconditioning really is. Modern rechargeable batteries allow users to forget about annoying power cables that hinder the manipulation of power tools and that restrict movement of any device to length of the cable from a power source. Many electric devices are portable and their batteries are very compact as well. When reconditioning batteries, it is important to take on board that an unhealthy battery can have its causes in the chargers that malfunction.

However, more frequently, it is the battery, which is killing the charger. People will go and buy new chargers all the time, without knowing that the problem is in the battery itself.

Every battery has a determined lifespan in which it functions properly and once this period has passed, a battery will require reconditioning. Car batteries are no different. They are charged while the car is moving, but after some years, a car battery will require maintenance as well. New batteries develop a memory effect but reconditioning a battery properly should remove this effect completely.

Another important thing when reconditioning a battery is to know how to accurately measure the charge capacity of the battery in question. This will vary from battery to battery, but once you know precisely how much energy a battery can store at a given time, you can start assessing the amount of improvement you have to do to the battery. Knowing how to revert a reversed cell cannot be overstated as you will not be able to recondition the battery until you have fixed the reversed cell.

dennis james
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/car-battery-reconditioning-373486.html

Through the years there has been an increase in the use of portable electronic and an electric devices. The need for batteries has grown exponentially. There seems to be no end in sight for the use of batteries. Of the most popular batteries sealed lead batteries are the most common.

Sealed lead batteries came around and approximately 1975 for the purpose of having a power source that was maintenance-free and also ate economical for the manufacture and consumer. Amongst the features beyond the selling of the lead in the light from spillage was the formation of special release the mouse to lower dangerous gas buildup to release safely. These sealed lead batteries were designed to be rechargeable, which is most of the common uses today.

Two basic types of lead acid batteries were created to survive the economic and consumer demands. These are the VRLA and SLA batteries. VRLA stands for valve regulated lead acid. SLA stands for sealed lead acid. Both types are quite synonymous over all with little differences between them.

One of the best features of these two still batteries when they are rechargeable includes the excess faulty safety mechanism which disallows abettors explosive gas from becoming too great in quantity.

Lot of effort has gone into this aspect of rechargeable batteries. Not only do the batteries become dangerous when they are overcharged, but on a more economic note they lose their overall charge to time via buildup of crystals or corrosion which limit the amount of electrolyte storage ability.

However, with the bad, as opposed to lithium ion and other types of batteries, the damage and memory loss is next to nothing. There is approximately 35 to 40% reduction in life per year on rechargeable batteries. This causes us to have to replace the batteries eventually in almost everything that uses them.

Sealed lead batteries are used in many many devices in today’s world. He uses range from toy is such a flying helicopters and children’s stories to more sophisticated applications such as power supplies for the computer. Almost any electronic device is run by batteries, and if it is not in it plugs directly in to the state power grid now enhanced your applet in your home.

Sealed lead batteries were relatively cheap to purchase and manufacture. Although the different brands are competing for in their market share, there remains the fact that they are simply a battery and is a battery and is a battery.

Keith Londrie
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/a-glimpse-into-the-world-of-sealed-lead-batteries-88088.html

The growing threat of global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels has forced the auto industry to venture in the development of auto technologies which will reduce dependence on fossil fuels. One technology being explored by car manufacturers is the possible advent of electric cars.

Currently, the auto industry has successfully developed hybrid electric vehicles and fully-electric vehicles as well. These vehicles use an electric motor to aid the vehicle’s internal combustion engine. One major issue being faced by the auto industry when it comes to the construction of hybrid electric and even fully-electric vehicles is the battery pack which a vehicle needs to have so as to get and store power.

To address the issue, car manufacturers are partnering with other companies outside the auto industry to develop better battery packs for electric cars. One car company which has expressed its dedication to the development of better battery packs is the Japanese car company Nissan. The company recently announced that they have formed an alliance with NEC Tokin, which is a subsidiary of NEC, to develop highly efficient lithium-ion batteries for automotive application.

The partnership aims to make the electric cars more practical. A problem being faced by the electric car technology is the cost of production. If a partnership such as this can find a way to make an electric car’s battery cheaper, then electric cars can be within the reach of an even larger number of consumers.

The partnership between two of Japan’s biggest companies will work on the safety and stability of lithium-ion batteries. This kind of battery is seen as a better alternative to the nickel-metal hydride batteries which is being widely used currently. Lithium-ion batteries weigh less than nickel-metal hydride batteries. It is also more powerful than Ni-MH batteries. In fact, lithium-ion batteries are half the size of nickel-metal hydride batteries but they can store twice as much power as the Ni-MH battery. This battery pack can efficiently power an electric car or its amenities such as power windows controlled by a Nissan window switch.

Investing in the development of an advanced battery pack will positively affect Nissan. After all, it is predicted that the rechargeable car battery market will experience a surge in the near future. The expected expansion of the said market will be the effect of the advent of electric cars. It can be expected that as car manufacturers come up with ways to bring the cost of production, the public will certainly buy these environment friendly vehicles.

Car manufacturers are already developing plug-in hybrid cars which show that the future of electric cars is coming pretty soon.

RyanThomas
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/nissan-to-develop-advanced-auto-battery-134375.html

Power Tool Batteries

What color does your crew prefer on the job site? Do your guys prefer yellow and black tools by DeWalt or maybe the blue of Bosch or Makita? Perhaps the red of Milwaukee tools, the grey of Porter Cable, or the black of Skil? What ever color your team uses, they have one thing in common; they have to get the job done. And to get any job done, you need power.

Power for tools comes in two main types; corded and cordless. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Corded tools will work for as long as there is a connection to a generator or power grid. Their limitation is the length and size of your power cord and standing water on site. This can be overcome with a GFCI built into a power cord and a thicker wire such as a 12 gauge wire.

Cordless tools use batteries to provide power as long as they last. These power tool batteries have gotten to be as powerful as a corded tool. With the advent of multiple battery chargers, cordless power can be used on any jobsite. One of the best chargers around is by DeWalt and includes a radio for job site entertainment. Batteries can have a major drawback in that they can stop holding a charge for various reasons. These reasons include a memory charge buildup, a set number of charging cycles, and heat sensitivity. A battery memory charge buildup occurs on older Nickel Cadmium batteries that have not been completely discharged before recharging. The new Lithium ion batteries do not get this memory buildup as quickly and tend to wear out due to age or charging cycles. And when a battery will no longer charge, make sure to recycle it properly so it doesnt contaminate the environment.

Generators provide good power for a jobsite where a connection to the power grid is unavailable. Generators do have drawbacks in that they may surge due to power requirements from different simultaneous users and the maximum rated load of the generator. Knowing the power demands of your tools will help you to determine what size generator you need. Remember, just because there is an open outlet doesnt mean there is sufficient power. Generators also require regular maintenance and care and it may be wise to look at porter cable generator parts. Keeping a log for all your tools will help you to prevent damage and ensure many productive hours.

No matter what the color of your tools, make sure you choose one that will meet your power needs. Your jobsite and type of work will determine your needs. Dont forget that power is an integral part of your business success as down time can cost you serious money. The right parts and tools will save you money as you make money. Careful planning can help prevent injuries and keep your crew productive.

John Gilbert
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/power-tool-batteries-140811.html

I have a 2003 Audi A6. The battery keeps draining. I disconnected the battery cable and hooked a circuit tester between the battery and the terminal and the bulb stays lit with the ignition off.

I have pulled all the fuses under the dashboard and still the bulb stays lit. I pulled some fuses and some relays under the hood close to the drivers side and nothing, bulb stays on. Any ideas. Are there some relays i am missing? This problem happened about 3 months ago, the same thing. My mechanic bypassed a small circuit board behind the dash that related to the clock in the dashboard. After that it worked for 3 months and now same thing again. I have brought a battery cut off switch for the time being until i can figure out what is causing it.

Please help, this is driving me crazy.
I have not connected the bypass yet, this is a last resort if i cannot find the power drain. Also like i said, i pulled every fuse inside the vehicle which would include the dome light, the bulb on the circuit tester stays on.

i had a alternator fault which drained my battery and would not charge it

Can be one or more than one answers.

A. The voltage across the battery increases slightly when the current increases.
B. The voltage across the battery decreases slightly when the current decreases.
C. The voltage across the battery decreases slightly when the current increases.
D. The voltage across the battery increases slightly when the current decreases.

c,d are correct

.

Of all the innovation that paved the way to the rise of electric RC flying, battery technology plays one of the biggest roles. Today, modern batteries have a much better power to weight ratio than before. This allows RC airplanes and helicopters to stay in the air for a lengthy period of time - even as long as their nitro counter parts, or even longer. Amongst the types of batteries, Li-Po or Lithium Polymer rates as the best your money can buy. While they cost much less than they used to, it is always wise to make sure that your Li-Po battery will last for as long as it could. This article will provide some pointers as to how to store your Li-Po battery for long periods without sacrificing its overall lifetime.

If the Li-Po battery is brand new and you decide to keep it for a while before putting it to first use, contrary to common sense, it is best not to store the battery in its uncharged state. The best practice is to fully charge it and maintain it at 4.2 V per cell before storing the battery away for a long time. For example, if you bought a 3-Cell Li-Po battery rated at 11.1 V, when fully charged, the battery will hold 12.6 V. This will make it suitable to keep stored away for 3 to 6 months. However, after 6 months, the voltage will start to weaken. When this happens, fully charge it again, whereby giving another 6 months of storage time. While this procedure can be performed over and over, the battery shouldn’t be kept without being used for more than 2 years.

If the Li-Po battery is fairly new and has been used no more than 70 times, has never reached temperature of more than 45 degrees, and never short circuited, the individual cells within the battery needs to be balanced before storage. This easily can be done through new versions of charger which has a “balance cell” function. Another method is to measure the voltage of each cell and set each cell to have an equal voltage to the least-voltage cell. The cells can be discharged using a simple-circuit light bulb making contact with individual cells, whereby slowly draining out each one. Once the cells are balanced, fully charge the battery, which will give each cell about 4.2 V. By doing this, the battery will be ready for a 2 to 4 month-long storage, upon which time the procedure must be repeated. Please note that ultimately, batteries of this condition stored using this procedure should not be kept for more than 1 year.

For batteries that are in a sorry state, such as having been used more than 70 times and have reached temperature higher than 60 degrees and has been short-circuited plenty of times, the first thing to keep in mind is to not hope for much. The procedure for storing these batteries still remains the same as the procedure above. Balance the cells first then charge the battery fully before storage. However, the result won’t be great.

As for the storage, keep the battery in a zip-locked bag and place it in a padded aluminum or stainless container (such as a cookie box). Keep the box away from sunlight and humidity. The reason for the stainless box is to protect your house from fire which may be ignited by batteries short-circuiting. Better safe than sorry right?

Tara Soonthornnont
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/how-to-store-your-lipo-battery-for-a-long-time-without-shortening-its-life-86718.html

In this article, you will learn about the different types of lawnmower batteries and how you should take care of them. Learning how to help your batteries last as long as possible will save you time and money.

Why A Battery Operated Lawnmower?

Most likely, you have chosen a battery operated lawnmower because you like the idea of not having to put fuel in it. Other reasons that you may like your battery operated lawnmower include less noise and pollution than a gasoline operated lawnmower. An electic lawnmower seemed to be too confining and your yard was less than 1 acre, so you chose the battery operated lawnmower.

Different Types of Batteries

A lawnmower battery is a battery that is rechargeable. These batteries get their power by storing electicity inside of them. They have been on the market for many years and the new advancement of a maintenance free nickel cadmium battery has made them even more popular. The different types of batteries include:

Alkaline batteries: This type of battery is used for smaller capacity uses, including portable electric devices. They are not used as a lawnmower battery.

Lead acid batteries: This kind of battery is used in cars and lawnmowers, but are slowly being replaced by the easier maintenance nickel cadmium battery.

Nickel cadmium batteries: This battery offers low maintenance, which is why it is becoming more popular. It is quickly replacing the lead acid battery.

Lithium and other types: These types of batteries are not being used in lawnmowers due to their expense and the low storage capacity.

Lawnmower Batteries

There are only two types of batteries that are used in lawnmowers. They are the lead acid battery and the nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) battery. The Ni-Cad battery offers you better performance and they are more environmentally friendly than the lead acid battery. Lead acid batteries cannot be disposed of in your garbage and they must be recycled. If not disposed of correctly, lead poisoning can result, which is very dangerous. There are no dangerous chemicals in a Ni-cad battery that can cause you harm, but they cannot be disposed of in a fire, because the battery may explode.

Care Of Lead Acid Batteries

Learning how to take care of lead acid batteries will help them to last longer and keep you safe.

1. The acid inside of this battery is called hydrochloric acid. You need to make sure that the acid does not spill on your body or your clothes. If there is a spill, it needs to be washed up with a large quantity of water.

2. If the water level needs to be increased, use distilled water and not tap water. Increase the water level until the lead plates are just submerged in electrolyte. Do not add water to the top, because this increases the chance of acid spillage.

3. You will find a small hole at the plug that will give you a place to add water. The hydrogen from the battery also escapes through this hole, so you want to make sure that this hole stays clear.

Care Of Ni-Cad batteries

This kind of battery does not need any regular maintenance. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that you do not want to charge the battery until it is completely dead. This will help the battery to last longer. It will take around 6 months for the battery to completely discharge and then you can start charging the batteries. This will keep your batteries in tip-top condition for a longer period of time.

A.Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/learning-about-lawnmower-batteries-88158.html

This is a 1990 f600 ford 6 cyl. diesel dump. It is not the alternator because I dissconnected the wires and the keys are out of the ignition. When I take an ohms tester with the battery dissconnected and take the positive and negative terminals which would connect to the battery I get a reading very close to 0 (.023). Any ideas where this draw or short could be? This just recently happened.

Also the GVWR of this is 23,000 any idea of how much weight I would be able to pull with this with the truck being empty?

The ohm meter doesn't help… There are things in the circuit and things that draw power when the car's off (computer memory, radio memory, etc…) The current being drawn is what matters.

You can really test the alternator by starting the car and then disconnecting the battery cables. The car should continue to run if the alternator's good (be careful not to short the positive cable to a ground). Is the battery good?

After ruling out those two things, I'd try to test how much current is being drawn from the battery with the car off (put you amp meter in the circuit between the positive battery terminal and positive battery cable). If the amount seems unreasonable (over an amp or so), remove different fuses and test the current going across the 2 fuse clips until you find the faulty circuit. Remember most multimeters will only handle 10 amps or so… Don't try to test how many amps your battery puts out or what your car is drawing with things turned on, etc…