Exide Explains Marine Batteries

by Jeni Bone on 22 Oct 2008 Aiming to equip trade with all the ins and outs of marine batteries, Exide Marine is publishing a brochure that illustrates the depth and applications of its range.

Denis Dwyer, Marketing Director Australia Pacific says the brochure will inform boat and battery resellers, chandleries and marinas about the brand’s marine applications.

'Whether you’re using batteries for power winches, starter motors, refrigeration or lighting, sealed or unsealed, Exide has a range that covers everything – outboard, diesel, inboard, auxiliary power – whatever!'

Explaining the term 'sealed', Dwyer says 'it’s about being non-spillable'.

'You don’t have to worry if the battery is submersed or inverted. They would still survive.'

The Exide brochure will be distributed by the company’s sales force to Exide marine outlets who in turn will disseminate to interested consumers. It will also be available from the DEALER NET portion of the Exide site which can be accessed by resellers. It is expected to start circulating in around 10 days time.

A familiar brand manufactured in Australia since the 1950s, Exide provides a diverse range of marine batteries customized for each application and with unique attributes for safety and longevity.

In keeping with the eco-concerns of today, all Exide lead acid batteries are totally recyclable with over 90% reclaimed by the industry.

'Exide is the only company to own its own smelter in NZ that recycles the spent batteries and returns the lead and plastic for the manufacturing of new products,' says Dwyer.

Exide recommends:

• Before leaving boat in storage, make sure batteries are fully charged and then check every 3 months, recharge if under 12.4Volts.
• Accessory loads are usually performed with higher reliability with Deep Cycle batteries, they are designed to be discharged and recharged many times over which is opposite from a starting battery, designed to provide high current quickly to start and then go back on charge.
• Conventional lead acid batteries produce hydrogen gas on charge and while discharging, can be explosive and dangerous. Salt water mixed with battery electrolyte creates a toxic gas that can be dangerous to your health.
• Not all 'Maintenance-Free' batteries are also sealed, even though they have a flat top, they vent to the atmosphere through a side valve and have free electroltye inside and will spill.
• Exide Orbital and other batteries classified as AGM/VRLA are sealed and have no free electrolyte and cannot spill. They are however valve regulated to protect against overcharge.

Exide Technologies operates in 89 countries, with 17 Automotive manufacturing plants, 11 Industrial manufacturing plants and 12 Recycling facilities.

More at www.exideworld.com