new batteries but how old?

[avronb]

I sent off for two SLA batteries from ''Vbat'' and after just two days they arrived ready for me to use,what i would like to know is how are such batteries kept in charge from the time they are manufactured to the time they are first used.They are made in Vietnam, and i understand that SLA's dont like to be kept discharged for too long so surely its not good for the batteries to be kept all this time without being charged.

 

[oigoi]

I'm not sure, I was pondering this myself today. I had some new lead acid batteries arrive and they were pretty much fully charged. It too very little charge for them to be 100% full. I think they must have a trickle charger or something, but we really need to hear from a battery distributor or someone like that to get a definitive answer.

 

[johnc461165]

This may be of interest http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_store_batteries

 

[Biged]

I always thought SLA batteries were manufactured 'dry' and then stored that way and as such had an indefinite shelf life, only when electrolyte is added do they then start working and the life countdown begins.
The batteries are not charged initially its just the chemical reaction, you need to then fully charge and of you go.

 

[NRG]

I'd be surprised if stockists like vbattery and the ritar supplier on ebay stored dry and then added electrolyte, I would think they would be sealed at the factory...but you never know....perhaps an email to vbattery would clear it up.

 

[johnc461165]

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=how sla batteries made&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CJkBEBYwCQ&url=http://www.batterycouncil.org/LeadAcidBatteries/HowaBatteryisMade/tabid/107/Default.aspx&ei=B2WpTtSwCcmy8QOW7fWNDA&usg=AFQjCNGvYfSIKvFy6wb-f1F4v6eVnHePQA

 

[flecc]

The SLA batteries we use on e-bikes use paste, not liquid, electrolyte and are usually manufactured into a complete and fully charged state. They don't have provision for later addition of the paste which in any case is impregnated into pores in the plates, something not readily achievable with later addition of the paste.

Correct storage of these is fully charged and the self discharge rate is very low.

 

[Biged]

Just comparing with SLA motorcycle batteries, which can either be paste or liquid electrolyte.
They can both be sent through the post, the liquid electrolyte is sent in a separate plastic bottle for the customer to add on delivery.

 

[NRG]

...but is is not an SLA in that case

 

[flecc]

...but is is not an SLA in that case

They are all termed VRLA (valve regulated lead acid), i.e. non-spillable, and in that sense sealed, but within that they are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) or Gel (gel cell).

That other type Biged mentions is AGM.

 

[avronb]

Strewth! you blokes realy know your subject I've learned more about batteries since being in this forum than all my years put together,i wife would like to know why there are no ladies posting on here.

 

[flecc]

wife would like to know why there are no ladies posting on here.

We do have a number and at times the occasional very competent female engineers. Unfortunately they've always been a small minority. I posted on this long ago, here's the link to it.