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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Relevant technical information is also provided for each product on our website.
To do so, click on a product.
This will take you to the product page where all relevant information is described.
For most products, you can also download the corresponding data sheets in .pdf format.
In addition, you can find technical information, product certificates and operating instructions on our downloads page.
With questions about the technical data of our products, you can of course always contact our specialists.

Intercel understands better than anyone that good quality of our products is crucial for reliable operation of your application.
That is why Intercel strictly monitors that all of our products meet our high quality standards.
This is done both upon arrival and periodically.
As soon as we receive products from the manufacturer, a fixed percentage are subjected to quality control.
In this process, both internal and external factors are carefully examined.
Products that do not pass our quality control are not included in our stock.
Even products that have been in stock for some time are periodically subjected to a quality control.
In this way, you can be sure that the products we supply to you are of a quality you can trust. Read more about Intercel’s quality guarantee here

In principle, VRLA AGM and Gel batteries may be mounted in any position (except upside down).
This is thanks to the leak-proof nature of such batteries.
By design, the position in which the batteries are mounted has no effect on their service life.
The same applies to lithium batteries.
Wet / NiCad batteries should be mounted upright at all times, otherwise there is a risk of battery acid leakage.

Read more about battery life here

AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat.
In an AGM battery, the battery acid is contained in woven fiberglass mats that are located between the lead plates of the battery.
This is in contrast to other types of lead batteries (also called “wet batteries”), where the battery acid is loose in the battery.
This has the disadvantage that these batteries must always be located upright because otherwise battery acid can leak out of the battery.
In addition, wet batteries are not suitable for mobile or long-term autonomous applications.
This is because in mobile applications there is too much movement which creates a risk of leakage and for long-term autonomous applications they are unsuitable as they require regular maintenance.
AGM batteries from Intercel are so-called “VRLA” batteries.
VRLA stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid and means that the pressure in the battery is regulated by pressure valves in the battery cover.
Should the pressure in the battery become too high, the valves automatically reduce it to an acceptable level.
In normal battery operation, however, this will never have to occur.
Because AGM batteries are leak-proof, they can be easily transported and shipped without a lot of additional packaging and other measures.

Advantages of the AGM battery

AGM batteries have many advantages.
They have a long service life, low self-discharge and are maintenance-free.
This makes them more attractive than other types of lead-acid batteries.
In practice, these advantages mean that the AGM battery lasts longer, that it can be stored for a long time without needing to be recharged, without losing too much charge, and that the battery does not need to be topped up or maintained.
Also, the AGM battery can be mounted in any position (except upside down) without leaking.
This makes them ideal for use in locations that are difficult to access.
Because the AGM battery requires hardly any maintenance, it is perfectly applicable in autonomous systems or applications that are very remote.
This makes the AGM battery a reliable source of energy for a long time.

AGM batteries in all shapes and sizes

AGM batteries come in many different sizes and with many different specific features.
For example, there are small 6 Volt AGM batteries for use in toys or model making, but also large AGM batteries specifically designed for heavy cyclic use or UPS systems.
A suitable AGM VRLA Lead battery can be found for almost every conceivable application.

Battery specialist Intercel recommends

Intercel has decades of experience with AGM battery technology.
We understand how important the right battery can be for proper operation of your application.
Our specialists are happy to help you recommend the right battery.
For an overview of our cyclic AGM battery range, please visit our Cyclic AGM battery products page.
For an overview of our standby AGM battery range, please visit our Standby AGM battery products page.
For example, we have AGM batteries of 100Ah and AGM batteries of 200Ah.
For more information you can always contact one of our specialists.

A few practical tips:

• Never charge primary batteries.
  These get hot and may leak or even explode.
• Fully charge rechargeable batteries the first time.
  This is because they are supplied uncharged by the manufacturer.
  This first time charging always takes longer than normal and should preferably be done the slow way (i.e., not fast charging).
• Do not charge the battery in cold environments (below 0°C).
  Once charged, however, they are excellent to use in cold conditions.

Always ensure that the battery is fully charged the first time; do not remove it from the charger halfway through the charging process, this is very detrimental to the battery.
Also, for the life of the battery, it is important that the battery be fully used up (or electronically discharged) before recharging.
The first time, or after prolonged rest, the battery may not be fully charged and may not reach its capacity.
Fully discharging and then recharging the battery will promote capacity uptake.
For ease of use of NiMH batteries, it is often desired that batteries are 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.
After the charging process, the charger should be able to switch to trickle charging.
If the batteries remain in the charger for several days (or weeks) after charging, the trickle charge current ensures that the battery remains full at all times.
Self-discharge is then compensated by the charger “trickling” additional energy. Read more about how to charge a battery here.

A failing (emergency) power supply often occurs unexpectedly.
As soon as it happens, it is important to limit the damage by acting as quickly as possible.
Intercel is prepared for this.
Typically, Intercel has technicians on standby to be of service to you as quickly as possible in emergency situations.
Do you need Intercel’s technical experts quickly?
Then call, you can find our number here.

For a mobility scooter, 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 mobility 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 use in your mobility scooter are the CPC and CPX series from Cellpower and the NPC series from Yuasa.
Not sure what the right battery is for you? Contact us and we are happy to advice you on which battery suits best.

You can basically just leave a battery connected to the battery charger, provided it is a so-called trickle charger.
A trickle charger is an intelligent battery charger that provides the battery with just enough current to stay fully charged without damaging the battery. Battery chargers without a trickle charge mode can potentially damage the battery by “overcharging” it.
So if you use an intelligent battery charger that automatically switches to trickle charging, you can leave the battery connected to the charger without any problems. Read more about how to charge a battery here.

Creating a battery system is always customized.
The system must be able to meet the specific requirements of the user at all times.
In addition, the exact configuration also depends on the environment in which the system will be located.
Therefore, there is no fixed rule of thumb when it comes to the rack or cabinet you need for your battery system.
Intercel’s specialists have extensive experience in designing and assembling battery systems for emergency power supply, for example.
The materials used are always of high quality so that you are assured of a reliable power supply for a longer period of time.
Maintenance of your battery system can also be carried out by Intercel’s technical specialists. Read more about Intercel’s custom solutions here

Stibat stands for Batteries Foundation.
This is the organization that coordinates the collection activities for spent batteries in the Netherlands.
They develop activities in various areas to inform everyone about how and why to collect spent batteries.
And this is done on a non-profit basis.
Since 1995, there has been a statutory regulation requiring used batteries to be collected and recycled by or on behalf of battery producers and importers.
Stibat has taken on this task.
A so-called disposal fee must be paid per battery.

The CPC and CPX battery series from Cellpower are both AGM battery series for cyclic use.
A CPC battery is designed for high cyclic use and the CPX series for extreme cyclic use.
A battery in the CPG series, unlike those in the CPC or CPX series, is not an AGM battery, but a Gel battery. The difference is that in an AGM battery, the battery acid is absorbed in fiberglass mats between the lead plates in the battery.
In a Gel battery there is no liquid battery acid in the battery, but there is a gel-like substance between the lead plates.
Because of this composition, a Gel battery is less suitable as a starter battery since the peak currents are lower than with an AGM battery.
The advantage of a Gel battery is that it can withstand deep discharge.
Batteries from the CPG series are also very suitable for cyclic use.
Want to know which type of cyclic battery is most suitable for your specific application?
Please contact one of our specialists.

How long a battery lasts depends in part on how often and how deeply it is discharged. It is also important that the battery is charged properly and with the right battery charger. With normal use (i.e. the battery is not often discharged and charged), a service life of 5-8 years is feasible for the Gel battery and AGM battery. When using 2 Volt NiCd cells, a service life of 10-15 years can be achieved. When the batteries are frequently discharged, the service life of the batteries is reduced.

It is also important to consider the ambient temperature.
A normal ambient temperature is 20°C, when this gets higher it comes at the expense of battery life.

Charging a battery correctly makes all the difference. Yet the impact of charging correctly is often underestimated. In this, choosing the right charger is half the battle. The wrong charger causes direct or indirect damage to the battery, shortening its life span. Pbq has more than 10 years of experience with valve regulated lead-acid batteries. We often see that there is not a good match between the lead-acid battery and the charger. This has a negative impact on battery performance and service life. To choose the right charger for your battery, it is very important to understand the characteristics of an AGM battery.

The characteristics of AGM batteries

The charging current for each battery is limited.
For a VRLA battery, the maximum charging current is 0.3CA.
This means that the charge current should be a maximum of 0.3 times the capacity of the battery.
If this threshold is exceeded, the battery may become hot.
In this case, the battery’s internal structure and chemical composition become damaged and the battery permanently loses capacity.
The charging voltage is another number to watch out for.
Each cell of an AGM battery has a nominal voltage of 2 volts, and a 2-volt AGM battery consists of a series arrangement of 6 cells.
Temperature also greatly affects a battery’s performance.
The charging voltage must be compensated if the ambient temperature differs from 25 degrees C.

Charging 2-volt batteries

A battery will never become full by charging it at 2 volts per cell.
This requires about 2.4 volts per cell.
In contrast, electrolysis with water, a component of electrolyte, can charge at 2.3 volts per cell.
Therefore, it is very important not to leave the battery charger at a high voltage when the battery is almost full.

Charging gel batteries

Gel batteries have a lower charging voltage than AGM (Absorbing Glass Material) batteries.
Batteries used for standby applications have a lower charging voltage than batteries used for cyclic applications.
Always refer to the information on the battery’s label and its data sheet.

The charging protocol of batteries

There are many different ways to charge a battery and each type of battery will have a specific charging recommendation.
Therefore, it is necessary to choose a special VRLA charger for a VRLA battery.
This is because the wrong battery charger can permanently damage the battery.
A VRLA battery is charged according to the CC/CV charging protocol.
CC/CV stands for the two main phases in the charging process: constant current and constant voltage.
After these two phases, the battery recharges with a trickle charge.
Each phase has its own specific values and this depends on the battery type, battery capacity and usage.

Which charger should you choose?

A thoughtful choice of battery charger extends the life of your batteries.
Read more information about charging in the datasheet of your batteries.
You can find suitable chargers in our wide range of battery chargers!

The official recycling symbol is the circle with 3 round arrows.
Batteries that still contain heavy metals are covered by European Directive 157 and must be marked with a special logo (crossed-out wheelie garbage can).
These logos should encourage consumers to return the battery instead of simply throwing it away in the garbage garbage can.

AGM (which stands for Absorbed Glass Mat) and gel batteries are examples of VRLA batteries (which stands for Valve Regulated Lead-Acid).
They are also called SLA batteries (Sealed Lead-Acid).
These abbreviations are a reference to the safety valves in the covers of these batteries.
The term gel battery is popularly used to refer to both AGM and gel batteries.
AGM batteries are also called “membrane,” “starved electrolyte” or “dry.”

What are the differences between AGM and gel batteries?

VRLA batteries come in two different versions: AGM batteries and gel batteries. In a gel battery, specific mixtures of silicon are often added to the battery acid, giving the electrolyte a gel-like structure and preventing the battery from leaking. By “drilling” channels into the gel, gaseous oxygen moves from the positive to the negative side. Here, oxygen encounters hydrogen gas and together the substances touch water. At that point, energy is released. Gel batteries have excellent capacity, but with the slightly higher acid resistance, they are less suitable as starter batteries. However, they are very resistant to deep discharge and will continue to work if the battery discharges 20% of its rated capacity.

In AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries, the electrolyte stays in place thanks to a separating membrane. This is why this type of battery also bears the name membrane battery. The membrane consists of a fiberglass mat and functions like a sponge. This function is based on the capillary properties of the membrane. AGM batteries are also sometimes produced with very thin separation membranes. This leads to a low internal resistance. This makes it possible to achieve a high amount of energy with a relatively small battery. This makes this type of battery interesting for a wide range of applications.

“VRLA” stands for Valve Regulated Lead Acid, “AGM” stands for Absorbed Glass Mat, “SLA” stands for Sealed Lead Acid and “MF” stands for maintenance-free (Maintenance-Free).
All four of these terms basically refer to the same type of lead-acid battery.
An example is the pbq General Purpose series.
These batteries all have a black color and are designed for standby applications.

What is the difference between a RedTop, YellowTop and BlueTop battery?
Intercel Europe will help you select the right Optima battery for all your applications.

RedTop battery

Use the Optima RedTop battery for normal engine startup, where an alternator directly monitors charge status and delivers energy to the battery as needed.
This is the case with most standard vehicles.
Think regular cars and even heavier vehicles such as RVs that need good starting equipment.

YellowTop battery

An Optima YellowTop battery is used when the electrical charge is higher than average or when the discharge state is higher when starting the engine.
This is the case in vehicles without an alternator and in vehicles with significantly high electrical loads.
In this case, the average alternator output is exceeded.
Consider vehicles with aftermarket audio systems, GPS, chargers, winches, snowplows, inverters, race cars.
This also applies to vehicles that have been given electrical applications from the factory.
Consider minivan power sliding doors and a DVD player.
The DVD player in particular uses a lot of power if it is used while the engine is not running.

YellowTop battery applications

The Optima YellowTop batteries are suitable for:

• Racing vehicles without a charging system (alternator or generator)
• Special drag racing vehicles
• Vehicles with diesel engines and aftermarket electronics
• A car with audio and/or video applications with more than 250 watts compared to the OE system
• Vehicles with heavy equipment.
  Think inverters, hydraulics, winches or other accessories
• Electric cars

BlueTop battery

The Optima BlueTop starter battery (with a dark gray housing) is used only when a dedicated starter battery is needed; it should never be used for cycle applications.
The dual-purpose BlueTop (it has a light gray housing) can be used for both engine starting and cyclic use.
It is therefore a true deep-cycle battery with extremely high starting current.
Trolling engines, marine applications with heavy electrical accessories and RVs should use a dual-purpose BlueTop.
This is both a starting and deep-cycle battery.
Use a BlueTop starting battery for marine applications and RVs if it is only for starting the engine.

Optima starting and deep-cycle battery

Note that the difference between BlueTop and a YellowTop deep-cycle battery, is that BlueTop batteries have both automotive (SAE) terminals and threaded ends.
YellowTop’s (except D31T) only have SAE terminals.

Do you get confused by the colored tops?
Then keep the following in mind: if the battery housing is dark gray, then you are dealing with a starter battery.
If the casing is light gray, then you have a deep-cycle (dual-purpose) battery in front of you.

A series circuit is used to increase the total potential of a battery system (also called voltage or voltage).
In a series connection, however, the capacity remains the same.
For example, when 30 batteries of 12.8 volts at 100 Ah are connected in a series, a battery system is created that provides 384 volts at 100 Ah.
When creating a series connection, it is very important that all connected cables be the same length and thickness.
In a series connection, the positive terminal of a battery is connected to the negative terminal of the connecting battery.
The remaining unconnected positive (+) and negative (-) terminals must then be connected to the device that needs power.
These connections are also called the “end” positive and “end” negative of circuits.

Batteries of different capacities (Ah and voltages) should never be connected to each other by series connection.
Furthermore, we recommend that batteries of the same voltage and capacity, match in brand, product series and preferably production date.

Batteries for deep-cycle applications

With the “deep-cycle” application, the battery is used as a direct energy source: these batteries are often used intensively.
In fact, they are charged and discharged several times throughout their service life.
Batteries suitable for deep-cycle use are best suited for electric wheelchairs, golf carts, boats, electric lawn mowers, medical equipment and toys.
Deep-cycle batteries can also be used to power electric motorcycles and scrubbers.

Batteries for standby applications

In “standby” use, the battery is used as a backup power supply.
These batteries are intended for standby applications and are mainly used for emergency power.
This limits damage from sudden power failure.
When this emergency power is needed, stationary or standby batteries are often used.
These batteries rarely discharge and the charge remains constant.

LFP stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate, which is a type of lithium-ion battery.
LFP batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material.

Fire safety measures include the use of fire-resistant partitions, automatic extinguishing systems suitable for lithium-ion batteries, and training personnel in emergency procedures.
The use of extinguishing agents such as dry chemical powders or special fire extinguishers for lithium fires is essential.

Specific extinguishing agents such as Class D fire extinguishers designed for metal fires can be effective.
There are also special aerosols and powders that can stop thermal runaway.

PGS 37-1 requires that battery rooms be equipped with a ventilation system that provides sufficient airflow to dissipate heat and any gas generation. This system must be independent of the building HVAC systems to prevent cross-contamination.

Spills should be cleaned up immediately with appropriate absorbent materials and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Spilled material should be disposed of as hazardous waste according to local regulations.

Composition: LFP batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material.

Safety: They are known for their high thermal and chemical stability, meaning they are less prone to overheating and fire compared to other lithium-ion battery types, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2).

Service life: LFP batteries have a long service life and can withstand thousands of charge and discharge cycles without significant capacity degradation.

Energy density: Although LFP batteries typically have a lower energy density than some other lithium-ion batteries, such as NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt), they are well suited for applications where safety and longevity are more important than maximum energy storage.

Environmental impact: LFP batteries contain no cobalt, which offers both ethical and environmental benefits, as cobalt mining is often associated with environmental and labor issues.

The main reasons for choosing LFP in our energy storage systems are about safety, longevity, temperature resistance and environmental impact.

Safety: Thanks to the stability of lithium iron phosphate, LFP batteries are less prone to thermal runaway and fire, making them very safe for various applications.

Longer life: LFP batteries can typically withstand more charge and discharge cycles than other lithium-ion batteries, making them last longer.

Wide temperature range: They perform well over a wide temperature range, making them suitable for use in various climate conditions.

Low environmental impact: Without cobalt, LFP batteries are less harmful to the environment and more ethical.

Key safety measures include the use of fire-resistant materials, adequate ventilation to ensure heat dissipation, and the installation of temperature and smoke detection systems. An emergency plan must also be in place. More about PGS 37-1.

Battery modules must comply with international standards such as IEC 62619 and UN 38.3.
This ensures that they have been tested for safety and reliability.

Old or damaged batteries should be disposed of through certified recycling and disposal companies that specialize in handling lithium-ion batteries.
These companies can safely dismantle the batteries and reuse or process the materials in an environmentally friendly manner.
It is important not to dispose of batteries with regular trash to avoid fire and environmental contamination hazards.

Grid reinforcement is the process of upgrading the power grid to accommodate greater power capacity. This may be necessary if the current grid cannot provide enough power for increasing consumption. An energy storage system is a common way to add weight to the grid.

The cost of a grid upgrade varies greatly depending on the upgrades needed and the size of the system. We would be happy to help with a calculation based on your specific situation.

Energy trading involves energy producers and consumers buying and selling energy in the energy market, also known as the imbalance market. This can be done directly between parties or through an energy market platform. The goal is to balance supply and demand of energy and achieve efficient energy prices. You can trade your own generated energy or energy you have stored during cheap off-peak hours.

Grid congestion occurs when there is more demand for electricity than the grid can supply. This can lead to overloads and disruptions in power supply. The grid cannot supply power to all consumers at the same time, resulting in restrictions or outages. As a result, many companies are on the waiting list for a (larger) connection and the grid operator checks that companies are not using too much energy.

To combat grid congestion, measures such as peak shaving, improving energy efficiency, establishing local energy storage systems and upgrading the power grid can be taken. This helps reduce the load on the grid and ensure a more stable power supply. Read our white paper with 6 practical tips on grid congestion.

Peak shaving means reducing the highest electricity consumption in a given period of time. This is done by using temporarily stored energy during peak hours. This reduces peak grid consumption and saves energy costs.

Peak shaving with battery storage involves storing excess energy in batteries when consumption is low. This stored energy is then used during peak hours to meet the high demand for power and minimize energy costs.

Yes, peak shaving can be worthwhile, especially for companies with high energy costs during peak hours. How much a company benefits from peak shaving depends heavily on the distribution of energy consumption throughout the day. Peak shaving can help lower energy costs, reduce grid costs and contribute to a more stable energy supply.

Grid peak shaving on the inverter means that the inverter helps reduce peak loads on the grid. It does this by using power from the battery during peak hours, reducing the load on the grid and lowering costs.

Batteries should be placed in a separate room that is adequately ventilated.
This room should be fireproof and separated from other parts of the building to prevent the spread of a possible fire.

Yes, it is possible to go completely off-grid, but it requires a well-designed system that can generate and store enough energy. This usually includes solar panels, wind turbines, batteries for energy storage and sometimes a backup generator. The goal is to be independent of the public grid and self-sufficient in energy. Read how Marker Wadden went off-grid.