Frequently Asked Questions

Even between two identical batteries a voltage difference can occur over time.

This may be due to environmental influences, such as changed ambient temperature, or because the (required) capacity has changed. Placing an equalizer between the battery charger and the batteries themselves eliminates the voltage difference between the batteries.

This significantly extends the life of the batteries. With a battery equalizer, you are therefore assured of a reliable power supply for a longer period of time.

From production to the consumer, a different amount is charged for each battery type and size, known as the disposal fee.
The Batteries Foundation (Stibat) has drawn up an implementation plan for the collection and processing of discarded batteries.
Currently, about 80% are collected spontaneously and, where technically possible, already recycled.

Unfortunately, there are many unapproved and poor chargers on the market.
While they are often nice and cheap, they only partially utilize the rechargeable battery.
A good charger meets the following characteristics:

• Fast charging: For the convenience of NiCd batteries, it is often important for batteries to be full within 1 to 2 hours.
  Given the composition of NiMH batteries, fast charging within that time is not recommended, and chargers made specifically for these NiMH cells take at least 3 to 4 hours.
• Automatic charging current: It is important that the charger has a built-in check for the correct charging current for the particular battery type.
• Overcharge protection: Good chargers have an automatic timer, or an electronic control for overcharging that causes charging to stop when the battery is fully charged.
  Uncontrolled overcharging can cause the battery to become so hot that chemical processes cause the valve to pop open.
  Batteries that have become much too hot also break down internally, rendering them useless.
• Drip charging: After the charging process, the charger should be able to switch to trickle charging.
  If you leave the batteries in the charger for several days (or weeks) after charging, the charger ensures that the battery remains full at all times.
  Self-discharge is then compensated by the charger adding extra energy.

Check out our battery chargers here.

Battery monitors are to a battery in a battery system as a fuel gauge is to the gas tank in a car.
With a battery monitor, you can read exactly the state of the battery.
This allows you to anticipate a deteriorating battery early and replace it in time.
In addition, a battery monitor warns of a charging voltage that is too high or too low.
This prevents damage to the battery and keeps it adequately charged.
By applying a battery monitor to your battery system, you extend the life of your batteries.

All harmful substances have been removed from almost all batteries in recent years.
Only NiCd rechargeable and lead-acid batteries still contain heavy metals.
Many of these batteries are already collected separately according to European directives.
The battery industry is busy developing alternative designs for these batteries in order to reduce the environmentally harmful proportion entirely.
The NiMH and zinc-air battery is an example of these developments.
Li-ion is another example.

In many vehicles and vessels, such as RVs and hybrid boats, there is often a separate starter battery and accessory battery.
With an isolation relay, priority can be given to one or the other battery in terms of charging current.
After all, charging current often comes from one source.
As long as the voltage of the starter battery is too low, an isolating relay will ensure that all available charge current is used to recharge the starter battery.
If the starter battery is charged, the isolating relay will also supply charging current to the accessory battery.
Should the voltage of the starter battery fall below a certain level again for a certain period of time, the isolating relay will again direct all available charge current to the starter battery.
This way, your starter battery always remains charged.
Cellpower’ s battery separators also have a unique feature.
They are bipolar.
This means that the current through a separator can flow in two directions.
This comes in handy when charging your accessory battery with a battery charger.
While charging the accessory battery, the separator will also conduct charge current to the starter battery.
Once the battery charger is disconnected from the accessory battery, the separator will also cut off the current from the accessory battery to the starter battery.
Thus, your starter battery will always remain maximally charged without draining the accessory battery.

Most are already fully recycled today.
With NiCd and button batteries, there are no longer any problems.
A major problem, however, are the mercury batteries still on the market, because current processing machines can only process 100% mercury-free batteries.
Since the production and thus sale of batteries containing mercury has been stopped for several years, this problem can be expected to solve itself soon.

Intercel has a large number of VdS-certified batteries in its product range.
You can find the product certificates on our downloads page.
You can also find documents with technical data and user manuals of different products on the same page.

An AGM battery is charged with a battery charger.
The most common battery chargers are 3-stage battery chargers, trickle chargers, alternators and DC buffer power supplies.
In the way of charging, a distinction is made between standby and cyclic use.
Cyclic use means that the battery is discharged and recharged regularly, for example in an electric wheelchair or golf trolley.
Standby use means that the battery is called on infrequently.
For example, a battery in a UPS.
It is called upon only when the power fails.

Charging a standby lead-acid battery

For standby use, an AGM or Gel battery should be charged at a constant voltage between 2.25V and 2.3V per cell.
For a 12V battery, that means a voltage between 13.5V and 13.8V.
This can be done using a 3-stage trickle charger or a DC power supply.
When there is a continuous load connected to the battery and charger, it is best to use a DC power supply to charge.
The current the battery charger must be able to supply is between 10% and 25% of the battery’s capacity.
That means that a Cellpower CP 12-12 with a capacity of 12Ah should be charged with a battery charger that can deliver between 1.2A and 3A.

Charging a cyclic lead acid battery

An AGM battery used cyclically should be charged at a constant voltage between 2.4V and 2.48V per cell.
For a 12V battery that means a voltage between 14.4V and 14.9V.
A Gel battery should be charged at a maximum of 2.4V per cell otherwise permanent damage to the battery will occur.
For optimum service life, it is important that when the battery is full, the battery charger switches to a maintenance charge with a voltage between 2.25V and 2.3V per cell.
This can be done using a 3 stage battery charger.
It will first charge at a high voltage and when the battery is full switch to a maintenance charge.
An alternator can also be used for this, but never without a charge controller when connected to a Gel battery.
The battery charger must be able to deliver a charge current between 10% and 30% of battery capacity.
A Cellpower CPX 80-12 should therefore be charged with a battery charger that delivers between 8A and 24A.

Batteries for standby use

“Standby use” – backup power: Mainly used as emergency power to prevent damage that can be caused by sudden power failure.
Stationary / standby batteries are used for standby use.
The batteries are rarely discharged and continuously maintained in voltage / recharged.

For more information and advice on battery charging, please feel free to contact Intercel

For all products we have in stock the following applies: ordered before 16:00 is delivered the next working day (for delivery addresses in the Netherlands).
For orders received between 16:00 and 17:00 we do our utmost, but cannot guarantee next day delivery.
You will usually receive a track & trace code with which you can track your order yourself.

Intercel works with a number of reputable carriers.
Therefore, we can arrange door-to-door transportation of your order, even to an address outside the Netherlands.
Intercel can also take care of the transportation or relocation of a complete battery system.
Our technical specialists have all the necessary knowledge and experience involved in such a logistical operation.

For using a caravan mover, Intercel recommends a cyclic battery.
These batteries are specially designed to be charged and discharged frequently.
This ensures you have a reliable power supply to your caravan mover for as long as possible.
With a high-quality cyclic battery, you will continue to experience the convenience of a caravan mover.
It will not fail easily.
Battery series that are excellent for your caravan mover are the CPC and CPX series from Cellpower, the YellowTop and RedTop series from Optima and the NPC series from Yuasa.
Would you like personal advice?
Then get in touch!

The rules for packing and shipping a battery depend greatly on the type of battery.
For example, the rules around packing and shipping Lithium batteries and wet batteries are very strict, while the rules for VRLA AGM batteries, due to their leak-proof nature, are already somewhat milder.
Intercel ensures that the packaging and shipping of all its goods meet the applicable requirements.
For the rules on packing and shipping a battery, it is best to refer to the product certificate or instruction manual.
Product certificates and instructions for use of our batteries can be found on the product pages of the respective products or on our download page.

For an electric scooter, Intercel recommends a cyclic battery.
These batteries are specially designed on that they can be charged and discharged frequently.
This ensures you have a reliable power supply to your electric scooter for as long as possible.
With a high-quality cyclic battery, you will never simply run out of power while on the road.
Battery series that are excellent for your electric scooter are Cellpower’s CPC, CPX and CPG series.
In addition, Intercel also offers Lithium batteries from pbq.
These batteries are very light in weight, can withstand heavy cyclic use very well and have a higher energy density compared to regular AGM batteries, leading to a greater range.
Not sure what the right battery is for you? Contact us and we are happy to advice you on which battery suits best.

Intercel stands for quality on all fronts, including the environment.
Our environmental policy is therefore based on an active attitude and a constant striving to reduce our impact on the environment, both in terms of production, use and disposal of our batteries.
In doing so, we take the applicable laws and regulations surrounding the environment as a minimum basis and try to go even further in making our business processes more environmentally friendly where possible.
To help our customers reduce their impact on the environment, Intercel offers its customers the free Intercel Battery Recycling Box.
In this box, they can collect defective and superfluous batteries.
We then ensure that it is collected and the batteries are professionally recycled.
This is how we work together for a better environment. Read more about what Intercel stands for here

Unlike fixed battery systems, mobile battery systems usually do not have a ground fault circuit interrupter.
An earth leakage circuit breaker protects against potentially deadly ground fault currents.
To prevent dangerous situations in mobile applications, such as a service truck, Intercel offers several insulation guards.
When inside the service car, one is protected from ground fault currents by the insulating effect of the service car’s rubber tires.
Outside the vehicle, however, there is a risk of ground fault currents.
As soon as a ground fault current threatens to occur, the insulation guard automatically switches off the 230 Volt system.
This ensures the safety of the user and eliminates the need to drive a separate earth pin into the ground.
In this way, safety and convenience go hand in hand.

Intercel provides total solutions for emergency power systems.
This includes the disposal of old batteries.
Our installation specialists can dismantle and dispose of the old system and batteries for you.
Intercel ensures that the old batteries are properly disposed of and professionally recycled.
This way, Intercel can relieve you of all the hassles and worries, both before, after, and during the project.

Discharging too deeply can cause permanent damage to your battery.
After too deep a discharge, the battery will no longer be able to reach the same capacity as before the too deep discharge.
To prevent a battery from being discharged too deeply, you can use a battery monitor.
This ensures that when there is a threat of too deep a discharge, the battery’s power output is switched off.
This way, your battery will always remain above the minimum voltage level.
There are also battery watchers that not only switch off the battery’s current flow when undervoltage is imminent, but also give a timely (light) signal when the battery’s minimum voltage level is approached.
This allows you to take timely measures and recharge the battery.
With a battery monitor, you can thus extend the life of the battery.

In principle, Intercel has all products listed on our website in stock.
For all our in-stock products the following applies: ordered before 16:00 is delivered the next working day (for delivery addresses in the Netherlands).
For orders received between 16:00 and 17:00 we do our utmost, but cannot guarantee next day delivery.
If a product is unexpectedly out of stock, Intercel makes every effort to still deliver the product to you as quickly as possible.

Intercel offers favorable warranty terms and conditions on all of its products.
For example, we offer a standard 3-year warranty on our Cellpower CPW and C&D Dynasty batteries.
Under certain conditions, this warranty can even be extended to five years!
For the exact warranty terms and conditions, it is advisable to contact one of our specialists.
They can tell you all about it and make you an attractive offer.

A defective battery is, of course, very annoying.
Therefore, it is advisable to take measures to extend the life of the battery as long as possible.
However, there will always come a time when a battery is definitely dead and needs to be replaced.
How can you tell when a battery is dead and what measures can you take?

Symptoms of broken battery

First of all, you will notice from a faulty battery that its performance is greatly reduced.
The battery drains significantly faster than it used to, and if the battery works at all, it delivers a current that does not adequately meet your energy needs.
The battery’s voltage is consistently too low.
A worn and old battery also often charges poorly and very slowly.
If the battery is really broken, it may not even charge at all.
In that case, it is also advisable not to try that again as it can cause potentially dangerous situations.
A swollen battery casing is also an obvious symptom.
Swelling of the battery casing can occur when the battery is internally broken or when the battery is routinely recharged with the wrong charger.
Excessive pressure has built up in a swollen battery.
Once that has happened, it is strongly discouraged to continue using the battery.
Another symptom is corrosion around the battery terminals.
Corrosion can be caused by leaking battery acid or by the environment in which the battery is located.
Corroding battery terminals cause poorer current conductivity; therefore, the battery can no longer deliver the desired power.

What to do with a broken battery?

In all cases, it is not recommended to use a broken battery any longer.
Not only will a broken battery no longer be able to meet your power needs, but depending on the defect, continued use may also create dangerous situations.
Therefore, a broken battery should be returned to a collection point and replaced with a new one.
Intercel can take care of the disposal of an old or broken battery and advise you in the search for a new suitable battery.

Prevention is better than cure

Of course, you would prefer the battery to last as long as possible.
There are several measures you can take to that end.
On our FAQ page, under the heading ‘general’, you can find some tips on how to extend the life of your battery.
Intercel provides several accessories that can help you do this.

Battery specialist Intercel recommends

The right type of battery for your application depends on a number of factors.
Will the battery be used a lot in cyclic applications, will it be on standby for long periods of time, should it be lightweight, or should it be able to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time?
Regardless of the application, there is one aspect that always matters: quality.
You want to be sure that you can rely on your battery’s power supply for a long period of time.
Intercel supplies high-quality batteries for every application.
Not sure which battery you need?
Let one of our specialists advise you.
Together with you, they will find the right battery for your application.

Private individuals and companies can hand in used batteries and battery-packs at their municipality (chemokars, chemodepots, chemobox).
Also, many stores have a so-called battery bucket in their store, where consumers can deposit their old batteries.
Intercel also offers its customers the opportunity to request an Intercel Battery Recycling Box free of charge.
In this box, they can collect the old and superfluous batteries themselves.
Once it is full, Intercel ensures that the batteries are professionally recycled.
In this way, Intercel works together with its customers for a better environment.

Intercel stands for flexibility and customization.
That means we make a special offer for every request.
So you are assured of the best quality at the most favorable price.
Would you like to know what attractive offer we can make you?
Please contact one of our specialists.

Intercel supplies batteries for a wide variety of applications.
For example, Intercel also has high-quality starter batteries in its range.
The Optima RedTop series is specially designed to serve as a starter battery, not only for cars, but also for agricultural vehicles such as tractors and harvesters.
Optima RedTop batteries are still capable of starting a car immediately even after twelve months of inactivity, a unique feature that makes RedTop batteries very attractive for seasonal use.
Compared to ordinary lead-acid batteries, Optima RedTop batteries have 15 times higher vibration resistance.
This makes the RedTop series the best choice if you are looking for a reliable starting battery.
Not sure what the right battery is for you? Contact us and we are happy to advice you on which battery suits best.