Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries are one of the most widely used rechargeable battery types in the world. SLA batteries virtually require no maintenance and can be used in almost any position. They are the least expensive type of rechargeable battery which makes them suited for a wide variety of applications. SLAs have the lowest self-discharge rate of any rechargeable battery, only about 5% per month, and they do not suffer from memory effect. Depending on the depth of cycle and operating temperature, SLA batteries typically have a lifetime of approximately 300-500 cycles.Proper Sealed Lead Acid Battery Care
First, always keep your SLA battery charged. If a SLA battery is left without a charge for a very long period of time, more often than not the battery will be in an unusable state. Once a sealed lead acid battery has completely lost its charge it can no longer be recharged. If you plan on storing for a long period of time, it is recommended that you periodically charge it up to full capacity.
Second, if you are storing a SLA battery, make sure the battery is placed in a mild-temperature environment. If placed in a hot environment, the battery may overheat and cause melting or swelling.
Finally, we recommend you use a SLA charger, such as the Battery Tender. You simply hook up the charger to your battery and have it deliver a trickle charge when not in use to maintain your battery. This will keep the batteries from being unusable. Also recommended is having the charger deliver a small “pulse” current through the battery. The pulse current will break up any deposits that have built up on the battery’s plates.
