The lifestyle we enjoy today literally runs on batteries. Having internet access anytime, anywhere, the ease that comes with using electric home appliances, and the convenience with which we travel in cars and trains, are all thanks to batteries.
Batteries are an integral part of modern society, and we’ll surely fail to function without them. They act as secondary storage by helping you power your appliances and maintain the electric supply. Several types of batteries serve different purposes and functions but are constructed on the same principle.
Although the batteries come in all shapes and sizes, they have three essential components. The presence of these three components ensures the generation of current that runs through the circuits. For smooth working of a battery and a chemical reaction that generates electrons, the following three components are necessary;
- Negative terminal (Anode)
- Positive terminal (Cathode)
- Electrolyte
Applications of Batteries in Our Daily Life
We depend on batteries to perform daily tasks such as travelling, cooking and working. You cannot function in today’s society if we take out batteries from the equation, don’t you believe us? Read on some of the applications of batteries in our daily life, thanks to which we can live comfortably.
Uses in Military
The military is an integral part of the defence of any country, in fact, it is the backbone of all developed and stable countries. Every army heavily relies on batteries, the heavy-duty batteries are used in radio, radar, and other surveillance gadgets. The heavy-duty batteries make it possible for the military to carry out all its operations successfully, even in remote locations.
Uses in Home
We function in our daily lives by heavily relying on batteries, from electric appliances in the kitchen to even the smallest devices like lights, torches, and stovetops; everything runs on batteries.
Some of the most basic batteries give life to our mobile phones, handheld devices, remote controls, cameras, and gaming devices. Other, higher-powered batteries are used in cars, solar panels, inverters, and laptops. No matter what you use, if it’s an electric device, it runs on some battery.
Uses in the Medical Sector
Thanks to the advancement in technology, we are able to achieve things that once seemed impossible. Batteries have many applications in the medical sector and directly contribute to improving life-threatening conditions. Medical equipment such as artificial limbs, valve devices, and insulin pumps need batteries to function correctly.
Modern healthcare owes a great deal to batteries, they allow people with disabilities to function correctly as a regular member of society. Biomedical devices such as implant devices, including pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and neurostimulators, use batteries to operate.
Uses In Life-Threatening Situations
As humans, we are programmed to see only the good in things; we seldom prepare for unfortunate events. Batteries are often used in emergencies to speed up the response time. Batteries help power the radio and communication system, they help maintain the chain of response.
Fire and metal detectors also require batteries to operate, preventing life-threatening situations even before they unravel.
Make Your Batteries Last In Storage
The battery’s lifespan usually depends on the type, size, and kind of battery. The quality of a battery also plays a vital role in determining how long it will work. The two most common types of batteries are chargeable and non-chargeable batteries, out of which rechargeable batteries tend to work for longer.
If you have invested a considerable amount in buying heavy-duty, high-quality batteries and wish to use them for years, you have to take care of the following things.
Charge/Discharge
Some batteries tend to self-discharge due to a lack of current or electric supply, which burns out the battery much faster. Charging appliances with a ‘fast charger’ can seem perfect in theory, but in reality, it decreases the lifespan of a battery.
Overcharging a battery again and again also affects the lifespan of the battery and eventually makes it useless.
Environmental Effects
Batteries are weather and environment sensitive, so it is advised to store them at a controlled temperature. Excess heat or cold can decrease batteries’ function and eventually result in battery failure. Changes in the environment can also fluctuate the charging and performance of a battery.
Physical Effects
Batteries should be placed in a place where they don’t get damaged or harmed by any external factor. Make sure your batteries don’t have any burden or weight upon them that can cause corrosion in their internal parts.
The physical well-being of appliances and equipment connected to the battery is essential to prolong its lifespan and maintain a steady power supply.
Storage
Properly storing batteries is crucial to increase your battery’s lifespan and get optimal performance. Battery storage takes extra thought and care, you cannot just toss them in a corner and expect them to work perfectly whenever you need them.
Storing batteries properly is not only crucial for your appliances and helps protect your environment from the potential harm of defective batteries.
How to Store Batteries The Right Way?
Renting self-storage units is quite common in the UK, people rent storage units when they move to a new place or just want to declutter their house. Storage units are a perfect gateway for people who require temporary storage and don’t want to spend an exuberant amount on it.
If you have a lot of batteries and need to store them in a storage space for a couple of months, follow our tips and tricks to get maximum usage out of them.
Keep Distance From Them
Batteries can discharge current when coming in contact with other batteries. Tossing all the batteries in a box for storage is not recommended at all. If you have a lot of batteries on your hands, make sure to declutter them before putting them in a storage unit.
Take out dead batteries, and put new and old batteries separately. Always double-check for loose metal objects such as bobby pins, coins, or paperclips to avoid accidental fire or explosion.
Remove For Appliances
Take out all the batteries if you store your domestic equipment and appliances in a storage unit for a few months. Whether you have rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, remove them from your devices and appliances and wipe them with a clean cloth.
Batteries can leak or corrode if placed in unused appliances and devices, which will, as a result, make them dead or short. Leaked and rusted batteries can also harm your appliances and make them useless.
Experts highly recommend taking out the batteries, whether big or small, from your devices and storing everything in a storage facility.
Maintain The Temperature
Maintaining the perfect temperature in a storage unit might be challenging, but it is extremely important for your battery’s health. Heat and intense weather is the mortal enemy of any battery, the ideal temperature for storing a battery is around 40-60F. If you live in a place with extreme weather, rent a climate-controlled storage unit to maintain the temperature.
If you mistake storing batteries at a hot temperature, it will accelerate the discharging process and complete your batteries useless in a couple of months. Renting a climate-controlled storage space might cost more, but keeping your belongings in optimal condition is necessary.
Use Original Packaging
Storing batteries is not so simple, you have to put thought and consideration into every step. Once you are done with taking out batteries from the appliances and renting a climate-controlled storage unit, the next step is actually storing them.
Batteries come in packaging designed specifically for them, the packaging is designed to keep them in a straight position. It prevents the collision between the negative and positive ends of batteries, which is essential for maintaining battery health. Whether you are storing single-use batteries or heavy-duty batteries, storing them in their original packaging is highly recommended.
If you do not have the original packaging available, just follow some rules of thumb while storing your battery.
- Keep them straight
- Make sure they don’t touch
- Keep negative and positive ends away
- Keep the same kinds of batteries together
Maintain Moisture/Humidity Free Atmosphere
Batteries are extremely temperature sensitive. High and low temperatures can shorten the lifespan of eries or even make them leak or corrode. Previously people believed that batteries should be stored in a refrigerator to increase their shelf-life, which was just a myth.
You have to store batteries at room temperature, ideally a little lower, if you have to store heavy-duty batteries. Ensure the storage space has a humidity level of 50%, not more or less. A climate-controlled storage unit will keep your batteries moisture free, which is excellent for battery health.
Moisture and humidity can leak a battery’s acid, potentially ruining your other belongings. The leaked acid from batteries is highly reactive, destroying anything that comes in contact with it. You can get an anti-condensation container for your batteries and place it in your storage unit to be extra cautious.
What Is the Best Way to Store Batteries in Storage Unit?
Batteries have their own set of requirements when it comes to storage. Putting a few loose batteries in a container in your house is another thing, and putting a few heavy-duty batteries in a storage space for months is another. You must tweak the environment a little to keep your batteries in optimal condition.
Some of the essential pointers to remember before storing your batteries in a storage unit are;
- Keep them in a climate-controlled storage space
- Keep them clean, dry, and moisture free
- Don’t let negative and positive ends touch
- Don’t cramp them up
- Store them in suitable packaging
- Keep them away from your valuable belongings
Storing batteries in a storage unit is not recommended as it is a temperature-sensitive object. Chemicals present in a battery can cause potential damage if leaked, so make sure you pack everything up nicely.
If storing your batteries in a storage unit is inevitable, make sure you rent a climate-controlled storage unit and don’t let the temperature rise.
