A missing rechargeable digital camera or camcorder battery does not need to render your device useless. Just come in to see up here at Battery Central with our huge range of digital camera batteries for the biggest names in the digital camera world including Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Pentax.

Planning a trip? We explain why using your camera wisely and considering having a backup makes smart sense when on the road.

A camera battery scenario:

Consider this: you’re about to head overseas for a holiday of a lifetime, upon dusting off your trusty digital camera, you discover the battery no longer works. Before your trip, you have the good sense to call into Battery Central and pick up a new battery and a spare while you are at it. You congratulate yourself for finding a good priced battery instead of having fork out unnecessary funds for a new digital camera since your current model digital still works like a dream.

If you are heading on a trip it’s a good idea to keep your battery charged at the end of each day, but there might be some instances where having a charged back up is a smart idea so you don’t miss any of the action. It can be a major disappointment to run out of battery power in an action packed day on the road in a place and moment that you won’t be returning to.  Having a backup battery means you won’t have to miss any of the memories.

TIPS TO EXTEND YOUR CAMERA’S BATTERY LIFE

•    Turn off the screen. This may not be available on all digital cameras, however using the viewfinder can be a good option for long days on the road since LCD screens are a power hungry feature.

•    Keep Batteries at room temp – This is important when using cameras in colder climates since keeping batteries in a pocket or bag can reduce exposure to the cold temperatures which drain battery life.

•    Only use features you need – avoid using flash, watching videos and other features when you need to extend the life of your battery. Avoid long exposures and video shots.

For more advice or details about whether we stock batteries for your digital devices including cameras call Battery Central direct today on 1300 008 299.

Car batteries are not particularly cheap, but that said, with due care they will last for a long time (up to four years under normal conditions) and there are many things that you can do to make sure your next battery replacement is delayed for as long as possible. If you are due to replace your battery these tips will also ensure that you get the most out of your new car battery.

1.    Regular Maintenance – While many car batteries are listed as being maintenance free, this is not exactly the case. Electrolytes in all batteries will evaporate over time, faster in hot temperatures. Taking the cap seals off check the fluid levels in the individual battery cells. If the electrolyte level doesn’t reach the full line approx. three quarters of an inch below the cap seal  you can add distilled water until the level is full. This should be done about 2 times per month to avoid evaporation and extend the battery life.

2.    Keep it Clean – Over time your car battery is going to corrode at the terminal points. There is unfortunately no real way to stop this happening, however keeping the battery clean at these points will allow current from the battery to easily pass through the cables. Be sure to scrape any corrosion away with a screwdriver or hard edged instrument. Baking soda and a toothbrush also works well.

3.    Insulate your battery – Have you ever heard of a battery blanket? It’s not as ridiculous as you might think since it helps insulate your battery against extremes in cold and hot temperatures. Speaking of temperatures avoid parking in the full sun whenever possible during summer (obviously this is not always possible but something to keep in mind)

4.    Keep your car serviced regularly – Poor condition of your car’s engine will place unnecessary stress on the battery by causing overloading and reducing its life.

5.    Disconnect when not in use – If you are going on holiday or overseas (or just not using your car for 2 weeks or more) This prevents a gradual loss of charge which can shorten the life.

6.    Drive your car regularly – Driving your car regularly for 20 minutes or more at least twice a week will give the alternator enough time to completely recharge your battery. Too many short trips won’t let the battery fully charge and will actually reduce the life.

By following at least a few of these tips you can be sure that your car battery will last longer than in would have. Fewer batteries mean fewer replacement costs and less environmental impact so start getting the most from your car battery today.

For car battery replacement services in Brisbane who come to you call Battery Central on 1300 008 299. We offer a THREE YEAR WARRANTY on all our auto batteries.

Duracell, Energizer and the big names in the world of disposable batteries have some very pointed advice when it comes to using their batteries, including a list of precautions and safety advice. It’s enough to make you question the general safety of using alkaline batteries especially for parents who may be concerned about their kids using battery operated toys and games.

So to answer the title of this post – are household batteries dangerous?  The answer is no – if they are used correctly. But how can you make sure you’re using them correctly to avoid any potential hazards? As the Brisbane battery specialists, we give some pointed advice of our own in this post – not to alarm battery users, but to use them effectively and mitigate any risk.

•    Remove batteries from devices that you are not planning to use for a few months.

•    Remove batteries from any portable devices if they are being powered through household electricity instead.

•    Store batteries in normal dry conditions, and avoid leaving batteries or devices containing batteries in extreme temperatures as this lowers performance.

•    Never attempt to recharge a battery unless it’s marked as rechargeable.

•    Never try to disassemble a battery or place batteries in water.

•    Avoid touching a battery which has leaked with bare hands – wear gloves instead.

Disposal instructions for general use alkaline batteries

Firstly NEVER dispose of batteries in a fire as this can cause an explosion. This is particularly important using battery operated devices such as flashlights around a campsite.

It is safe to dispose of household batteries in general waste, however lithium batteries used in mobile and cordless phones, laptops and power tools should be recycled since their chemicals are a greater environmental risk. We offer recycling services for lithium batteries at Battery Central.

A large quantity of batteries should not be disposed together as they are usually not completely dead and can be a safety risk if these batteries react with each other.

Household batteries are safe to use, but their chemical nature gives them properties which can cause reactions if they are not used in their intended way.

Stay tuned to our battery advice page for upcoming advice on using and recycling batteries correctly, brought to you by the team of battery specialists here at Battery Central.

Summer on the water has been lots of fun but with winter approaching many boat owners will be retiring their watercraft for a few months as the weather gets cooler and days are shorter. This means the watercraft’s marine batteries will be out of action after receiving lots of use and charging over the summer. In today’s article, the battery specialists at Battery Central share some tips to store and maintain complex marine batteries when not in use.

Lead Acid Batteries – Deep Cycle and Engine Starting Batteries

Keeping batteries clean goes a long way in minimising corrosion and spillages especially in wet (flooded) battery types. Ways to keep a lead flooded acid batteries clean include:

• Wiping the battery casing with clean water and bicarbonate of soda to neutralise the acid
• Remove batteries from the vessel and store in cool, dry temperatures. Avoid any exposure to heat
• Check for corrosion around the cable connections. If you spot corrosion (a greenish colour) disconnect the cable terminals and clean with a brush before adding petroleum jelly around the connection points.

Keep batteries cool to prevent self discharging

Marine batteries are designed to keep their charge longer than other battery types, but if you are not using your vessel for an extensive period such as in wintertime, it’s a good idea to remove them from the vessel completely and store them in a cool but dry environment. Excess heat will accelerate discharging faster than if stored in cooler storage.

Recharge your battery when not in use

Older batteries lose their charge faster than newer batteries and generally will need to be charged once per month when not in use, whereas newer marine batteries can be charged once every 2 months. A battery charger that delivers 10-20 amps is sufficient in most cases. A hydrometer can provide a more accurate picture of the charge of a battery than a voltmeter.

If you have any questions about replacement marine batteries or how to charging them when not in use, please contact our Brisbane service centre on 1300 008 298 and Battery Central team can answer them for you today. When it comes to batteries we’re fully charged and ready to share our knowledge to assist our customers

It is always inconvenient when your car battery goes flat. This is why offer our supply, delivery and installation battery service in Brisbane and on the Gold Cost. There are no annual fees and no joining fees; our goal is to keep you on the go. Car batteries tend to go flat with no warning at all and this can be frustrating. There is no concrete set of rules for how long your car battery should last, but there are some basic guidelines.

How long is a new car battery supposed to last?

Under ‘normal’ conditions a new car battery has a life expectancy of about four years. However, defining ‘normal’ is a fairly tough ask.  Read on to find out what’s ‘normal’.

What defines ‘normal’ conditions for car battery use?

Okay normal can be given some perspective by the following points:
•    That the battery is not exposed to extreme temperatures, especially hot temperatures
•    That full cycle charges are completed
•    The charging system is consistent and reliable
•    The battery isn’t being used to charge accessories that draw power (eg Ipads and mp3 players)

So ‘normal’ is almost impossible with our modern lifestyles. We charge our accessories. We drive really short distances quite often, making it unlikely that a full cycle for charging is possible.  A car battery in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast is going to be exposed to very warm temperatures. There is not a lot we can do about these circumstances except offer you a great solution should your battery cause you a problem.

My battery is flat, can you help?

Yep, we sure can. Our mobile team has a wide range of batteries ready to go so we can get you back on the road in no time. It is free to join our service. We will come to you, replace your old battery and test the new one before you drive away.

Car batteries can be a little bit unpredictable, and when they do let you down, we will be right there to help. We are mobile, cost effective and always ready to help.

I have barely used my car battery, why is it flat?

Well it seems a bit unfair that your battery is brand new and no longer works. However, a car battery, even when not being used still discharges a small amount of power. This is because it is keeping the electrics in the car ‘alive’ and able to respond when you do use the car. Over time this gradual use of power will cause the battery life to end.

So there are many circumstances that can affect the life expectancy of a battery. It is difficult to predict when a battery will go flat, but we can almost guarantee that it will be at an extremely inconvenient time. The parametres of what is considered ‘normal’ use of a battery are tricky and therefore so is predicting the life span of your battery. This is why we offer our mobile service, to make sure that if your battery gives out, we are ready to help.  Give us a call in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast on : 1300 008 299

Here at Battery Central, we quite often let our customers know about any news or technological breakthroughs that have occurred in the world of batteries. It is this finger on the pulse attitude that has allowed us to achieve great success for many years over both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. In today’s blog post, we will put the spotlight on some of the newest battery technologies that is being developed by a few clever people in the United States of America.

What’s the news?

The University of California in San Diego has recently announced that engineers from one of their schools have developed a groundbreaking new way to decrease the charging times for lithium ion batteries. Without getting too technical, the engineers have essentially achieved this by developing complex mathematical algorithms to more accurately distribute the charge to the particles in the battery. This increases the efficiency of the process, and therefore reduces the time it takes to charge.

Why is this so important?

The reason that this breakthrough is so important is that for quite some time, many respected figures have suggested that battery development has plateaued. This is mainly due to the fact that the physical dimensions of batteries has been shrunk and pushed further than ever before. This technology will completely revolutionise the industry with its brains of brawn approach.

What will this mean for me?

Of course what everyone wants to know is how this new technology will benefit them. Well, once the technology is rolled out, you will begin to see significantly improved charging times for all of your electronic devices including phones, laptops and more. The automobile industry will also benefit, as researchers look for ways to increase the efficiency of electric and hybrid cars.

In today’s blog post, we have outlined some of the new technologies that are on the horizon in the world of batteries. If you would like to find out more about any batteries or other products that we sell, please don’t hesitate to come into our store or simply give us a call today on 1300 008 299.

Exit unnecessary programs

This one is a fairly simple tip, but it is highly effective. Quiet often on many computers (especially PC’s) your computer will continue to run programs in the background well after you think you have exited them. These running programs force your computer to use more CPU, and therefore more power. Give it a go, try exiting them.

Turn off Bluetooth and Wifi

In another simple but effective effort to save power, try turning off any WiFi or Bluetooth connections unless they are needed.

Watching Movies the right way

If you are planning on going on a long plane trip and you are unsure whether there will be charging facilities available, prepare yourself and your movie collection by installing them on your computer on an external hard drive. The physical action of spinning a CD or DVD is quiet heavy on power consumption.

Use your Battery!

Quiet often, people neglect to use their batteries as often as they should. A battery is similar to a car, as if it is left sitting idle in a dusty garage its performance will drastically reduce.

Dim your screen

In the ultimate method to squeeze every last drop out of your laptop battery life, try dimming your screen as low as you can (without straining your eyes!).

In today’s blog post, our team of highly trained and professional staff at Battery Central has once again provided you with some in-depth knowledge of all things battery Brisbane related. If you require any more tips or would like to purchase a new battery, simply give our team a call today on 1300 008 299.

Portable Electronic Devices

As we become ever more reliable on portable electronic devices, portable batteries have had to ‘step up’ and become small, affordable, reliable, durable and capable of holding a long charge. At Battery Central, we stock a wide range of batteries for a number of electronic devices, including mobile phones, cameras, laptops and other miscellaneous devices (such as power tools).

Automobiles

Many people often forget that electronic devices aren’t the only objects that require portable battery power. All cars contain a limited life battery, that quite often needs changing after about 4 years of use. With such a bad reputation for running out of charge at the worst possible time, why not visit Battery Central today and arrange a new affordable car battery for your vehicle that you can trust.

Boats & Marine

If you own a boat or other marine vehicle, you will know how important it is to have an effective and reliable battery on board. The battery can be used for a number of purposes, depending on your boat and your intended usage. For example the battery could be used as an effective lifeline system to power a radio on one boat, while it could be used for lighting on another boat. Always check with one of our highly trained experts at Battery Central to ensure that you get the correct battery for your boat.

As today’s blog post has demonstrated, there is a variety of uses for portable batteries across a wide range of devices and machines. If you are looking for a trusted name that sells reliable and cheap batteries Brisbane, simply give our team at Battery Central a call today on 1300 008 299.

Depending on a number of factors including your location, usage and the quality of the battery itself, the average life for a standard car battery tends to be around four years. At about the three year mark, it is highly recommended that you start thinking about getting your battery checked. This is a simple test that basically provides a snapshot of the current battery quality. Batteries have a really bad habit of dying at the most inconvenient moments, such as the morning of a big meeting or before picking the kids up from school. You can either wait for this to happen, or change the battery on your own terms when you have the time to spare.

Our team at Battery Central are able to provide a wide range of car batteries, and supply multiple brands at the lowest price. We also have a highly trained team of car Battery Brisbane experts, who are able to provide professional advice and help you choose between brand name batteries and our own premium car batteries. To find out more, simply give us a call today on 1300 008 299.

With a wealth of experience supplying, delivering, installing and testing all types of batteries, you can trust that we are capable of helping you if you are seeking assistance with your marine batteries, whether you need a replacement or a repair.

Depending on where you intend to travel in your boat, it is important to bear in mind that vessels carrying certain marine batteries, particularly the wet flooded variety, are prohibited on many of Brisbane’s waterways. Due to this, it is recommended that you discuss your battery requirements with our team here at Battery Central to ensure you enjoy a stress-free trip.

Ultimately, marine batteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes so it is important that you make the right choice when looking for a battery for your particular boat. After all, making the wrong choice could prove costly in the future.

With an impressive selection of marine batteries from some of the most reputable manufacturers on the market, it is clear why you should make the team here at Battery Central your first choice for all of your battery needs. To find out more about the range of marine batteries Brisbane that we can supply and install for you, feel free to browse through our website or call us today on 1300 008 299.