What Makes a Quality Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery?
When looking to purchase a power supply for vital (or even life-critical) equipment, quality and reliability are essential characteristics to look out for. But with so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to differentiate between a quality product and a potentially inferior one.
So how exactly do you identify a quality valve regulated lead acid battery?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to every type of power requirement, there are specific features to look out for which provide an excellent idea of where to start.
Valve Regulation
Valve regulated batteries allow the required level of venting, both in-use and more importantly during the charging process. This means excess gases can safely escape the battery, preventing swelling and damage to the product. Valve regulation is key to both Lead Acid and Gel technology, however, due the nature of the technology, venting is most critical with Lead Acid.
Plate Separators
A critical component of high performing batteries – plate separators ensure consistent spacing between plates, resulting in increased battery efficiency and longevity. Lead acid technology requires high-quality absorbent glass matting otherwise known as AGM. The quality of this matting is important to ensure correct porosity, which influences the contact of active electrolyte to the plates. Purity is another important factor in the separator to ensure no contaminants are introduced causing impedance to the battery efficiency.
In the case of Gel technology, the separator needs to be a high performing polymer which acts to retain the gelled electrolyte between plates. A poor quality polymer separator can result in crystallisation of the electrolyte leading to underperforming battery and premature failure.
Plate Composition
Purified lead, specifically blended with critical conductive properties are essential to quality performance in both cyclic and standby applications.
Quality Assurance
To ensure the highest performing products, there are a number of internationally respected standards that you should look for on any brand. The minimum level would be ISO9001 which monitors consistent quality. ISO14001 ensure the manufacturing facility operates to highest level of environmental standards.
All Strident batteries undergo stringent quality control both at the manufacture stage and pre-dispatch. This ensures our customers only draw the most reliable source of power. Be sure to ask your supplier about their quality assurance process for complete peace of mind.
For over 15 years Strident has invested large amounts of time and money in research, development and innovation in battery power, to ensure our products are suited to the high demands of the medical sector, demands that will sustain deep discharge and cyclic applications.
Our team have gained a vast knowledge of the requirements in the medical market and are always happy to assist with any queries you may have
You can contact us by phone on +44 (0)1362 300102, email us at sales@strident.uk.com, or reach us via our contact page, and we can arrange an inspiring presentation at a location and time that’s convenient to you.
For more information on our products, including batteries, charging accessories, and tyres, you can download one of our brochures, here.
From Ivanhoe to Strident
Last month, the team here at Strident enjoyed a highly successful exhibition at ‘Trade Days’ in Birmingham’s NEC.
In fact, the show was our first public event since rebranding from Ivanhoe to Strident earlier in the year; and presented a great opportunity to introduce customers to a new, professional trading experience.
When Ivanhoe was established in Doncaster back in 2002, we chose the name because of the area’s historic reputation for distinctive leadership in battle. It was a name that embodied power and strategy at every move.
With such a prestigious name on which to build, Ivanhoe successfully grew and expanded, but it was six years later (in 2008) when we introduced the Strident brand to the market. Our premier line of products deserved a title worthy of their innovation and quality, so Strident was chosen to represent the product’s powerful nature and reliability in the very toughest of environments.
True to its name, the Strident brand gained tremendous respect in marketplace, allowing the company to relocate to new, larger offices in Doncaster. Its unprecedented success resulted in the name’s international recognition, and subsequently, it made sense to rebrand Ivanhoe. In doing this, we could build on the success of our Strident products even further. So in July of this year, that’s exactly what we did.
This exciting move forward is the result of 15 years of continual improvement, and today, we continue our commitment to providing excellent products with unrivalled customer service.
In reintroducing ourselves to the market as Strident at Trade Days, we consider our public rebranding complete, and will continue supplying innovative, ground-breaking products to the medical sector.2016 has been a year to remember for us at Strident so far, and we want to make it a year for you to remember too. The team here are true experts in the field, and are always happy to help with any enquiries you might have.
2016 has been a year to remember for us at Strident so far, and we want to make it a year for you to remember too. The team here are true experts in the field, and are always happy to help with any enquiries you might have.
You can contact us by phone on +44 (0)1362 300102, email us at sales@strident.uk.com, or reach us via our contact page, and we can arrange an inspiring presentation at a location and time that’s convenient to you.
For more information on our products, including batteries, charging accessories, and tyres, you can download one of our brochures, here.
Another Successful Year At Trade Days
2016 is the third year in which Strident has exhibited at the UK’s premiere medical trade exhibition, ‘Trade Days’ at Birmingham’s NEC. The team were eager to display the power behind the brand and offer an inspirational service to those visiting our stand.
Building on previous success, Strident was proud to hold a high profile at this year’s event giving a quality brand presence throughout the show enabling us to welcome a substantial number of quality leads who were inspired by the professionalism promoted across the event.
Through a deep commitment to continual development and constant innovation, Strident has been able to combine knowledge, experience and expertise to bring cutting edge solutions in power to a critical market.
Overall, we felt the event was a true success, as it enabled us to display our genuine values and connect with our essential distributor network. Over the two days, we were also able to build on our relationships with key influencers in the medical world, as well as connect with leading groups of independent retailers.
Our recent rebrand from Ivanhoe to Strident enabled us to strengthen our innovative culture and reinforce the trusted and proven long-established brand. As a result, our visitors recognised us as not simply a product supplier, but a supplier of expert trade solutions and quality service.
We would like to thank everyone who attended our stand this year, as it was a true pleasure to meet so many valued clients. For any who were unable to attend Trade Days 2016, we’re sorry that you missed out on the incredible atmosphere, but we look forward to welcoming you to our stand in 2017.
You don’t need to wait to 2017 to join us on our exciting journey, the Strident team is always ready to talk. Please feel free to contact us on 44 (0)1362 300 102, email us at sales@strident.uk.com, or reach us via our contact page, and we can arrange a presentation at a time and place that’s convenient to you.
Alternatively, for more information on our products (including batteries, charging accessories and tyres) you can download one of our brochures, here.
Strident at Trade Days 2016
Later this month on the 25th and 26th of September, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham proudly plays host to ‘Trade Days 2016.’
This dedicated trade-only event is free to attend, and is the ultimate UK exhibition for anyone involved in the manufacture, supply and retail of homecare, independent living and assistive technology products.
If you’re interested in attending, there are still tickets available. You can secure your place at the show through the link here.
As with previous years, our team will be available for you to reach out to and discuss your exact requirements, answer any questions you may have, and further enhance every connection we have within the medical market.
Trade Days 2016 is a fantastic opportunity to present to you the innovations we’ve been working on in recent months. Innovation together with constant research and development enables us to bring to you a range that’s designed and manufactured with the discerning buyer in mind.
Through constantly challenging the status quo, Strident energises the marketplace and inspires those around us by providing a cutting edge experience
We’ll be available to chat on both days of the show, so please do come and visit us at stand TH135.
2016 is a year to remember for Strident and we want to make it a year for you to remember too – if you are unable to join us in the excitement at Trade Days this year, please contact us on +44 (0)1362 300102, email us at sales@strident.uk.com or reach us via our contact page, and we will arrange an inspiring presentation for you at a location and time that is convenient to you.
For more information on our products, including batteries, charging accessories, and tyres, you can download one of our brochures, here.
Mobility and Medical - the Best Battery Types
At Strident, we specialise in batteries for a range of applications in the medical market.
From mobility scooters to power chairs and life-critical support, it’s essential that we supply the right type of battery to meet our customer’s specific needs. So what’s the best type of battery to use with these devices, and why?
Most devices like these rely on either AGM (absorbent glass mat) or GEL batteries. The chief benefit of these battery types is that they’re sealed, and therefore unlike some older types of lead acid batteries, are maintenance free and won’t spill or leak when installed under normal operating conditions.
As well as being very low maintenance, these battery types are also ideal for repeat cycling and daily use. Which in the context of mobility devices, is an absolute must. Furthermore, their limiting design results in a much longer cycle life than conventional lead acid equivalents.
Between the two, AGM batteries tend to be cheaper than their equivalent power GEL types. However, GEL batteries boast a greater expected lifespan. As a general rule though, you should always use the battery technology that’s recommended by the manufacturer for your mobility device. Some manufacturers even offer upgrade packages to enable differing technologies to be used.
If you’re unsure as to what the best battery types are for your product or application, get in touch with the knowledgeable team here at Strident.
With over 15 years of direct experience with battery power, our expert staff are happy to help you make an informed decision.
You can get in touch with us directly on 01326 300 102, or message us via the contact page. For more information on our products, including charging accessories, you can download one of our brochures, here.
Which? Publish Their Latest Best Buy Guide to Mobility Scooters
If you are currently exploring the purchase of a new mobility scooter or looking at a replacement or upgrade, take a look at Which?’s latest best buy guide.
Like many of their excellent reports, they point out that it is not always the most expensive mobility scooter that gets the top ratings from experts and consumers.
Experts and Users involved
For this new review, Which? has had an independent expert panel of ergonomists, occupational therapists and disabled scooter users test a series of mobility scooters. The panel has tried to include everything you would be likely to do with the scooter in real life use whether that is moving around obstacles or getting up slopes. In particular, they have been looking at:
- Ride quality
- How easy a scooter is to fold or dismantle
This reflects the frequent challenge to get the balance right between these 2 essential elements of scooter use – weight and comfort. In the tests, they have including the process and effort involved in getting scooters in and out of cars.
Considerations when comparing Mobility Scooters
They have also rated some of the other key considerations that relate to the purchase and use of Scooters.
- Preparing to ride. Which? has looked at how you can adjust parts of the scooter (e.g. seat, armrests etc.) to make the scooter as comfortable and supportive as possible.
- Setting off. How easy is it to start the scooter and pull away safely and with the least amount of fuss
- Indoor riding. How manoeuvrable are the scooters indoors
- Outdoor riding. Can the scooters cope with slopes, rough surfaces and kerbs
- How easy it is to pull the scooter along when not in use
Strident offers support for all brands of Mobility Scooters
Whichever mobility scooter you end up with, the battery, the charging process and tyre maintenance will be key elements of long-term ownership. Strident are leaders in Mobility Scooter batteries, chargers and tyres.
Strident’s battery technology combines performance with dependability and we can answer any questions you have regarding the replacement or upgrading of a battery on your mobility scooter.
We also carry an extensive range of battery chargers and specialist mobility scooter tyres in our ‘Traction’ catalogue.
GEL Batteries – Continuing to Innovate
It’s sometimes strange to think that products as everyday as batteries could still be being innovated and improved upon. But ever since their conception in the 1800’s, battery technologies have evolved tremendously, and are continuing to do so.
Here at Strident, we’re always working on our battery technology in order to deliver the finest service and greatest reliability to our customers.
One of our most popular types of product is our line of GEL batteries, as these are used in a variety of applications - from mobility scooters to life critical support units.
So how are Strident GEL batteries innovating, and making themselves attractive alternatives to conventional sealed lead-acid technology?
- The Strident range of GEL batteries is designed to resist deep discharges and recovery after heavy usage, even when they’re not recharged immediately
- They provide excellent performance over long discharges
- They boast outstanding tolerance to higher temperature applications (-25 - +55C)
- Their limiting design protects the positive plates to greatly improve their cycle life
- They can be discharged even when full recharge has not been achieved, without loss of battery capacity
- They use thicker plates for reduced grid corrosion and increased cycle life
- They also boast an extended shelf life, and are designed to last for over ten years
Our GEL batteries are even tried and tested in rugged environments, in order gauge their performance in extreme circumstances.
Here at Strident, these are just one of the product types we’re continuing to improve every day.
If you think GEL batteries might be the perfect choice for your application, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Strident. With over 15 years of direct experience with battery power, our knowledgeable staff are happy to help you make an informed decision.
You can get in touch with us directly on 0845 555 5511, or message us via the contact page. For more information on our products, including our selection of innovative battery types, you can download one of our brochures here.
Choosing the right tyres
A good mobility scooter can only perform at its best if it’s using quality parts; and here at Strident Innovations we’ve talked a lot about quality batteries lately. Equally important however, is a good choice of tyre.
But how do you choose the right tyre for your scooter?
First and foremost, they need to be the right size. There’s a huge volume of tyre sizes out there for various types of scooter, and the wrong size either simply won’t fit, or could be dangerous to ride on.
The easy way to tell what size you need is by taking a quick look at the sides of your existing tyres. Typically, the tyre dimensions will be embossed on here, or may be located on the inside of the tyre itself. Make a note of these dimensions and you should be able to spot the same sizes in a supplier catalogue or online store.
Do bear in mind that some models of scooters use different sized tyres on the front end, to those on the back.
Once you’ve got a handle on what size you need, you’ll likely come across a choice between solid tyres, or air filled/pneumatic ones.
Which of these you choose, tends to come down to personal preference.
Air-filled tyres have the advantage for comfort, as they absorb impacts and make for a less bumpy ride.
They are more prone to puncture however, and must be kept at a consistent pressure. So generally speaking, they require a higher level of maintenance.
Soild tyres on the other hand, cannot be punctured, and can’t deflate, as there’s no air inside to escape. This does make them excellent low-maintenance choices, but at the cost of a potentially more comfortable ride.
Here at Strident, all of our tyres (regardless of type) are carefully sourced to ensure they meet the highest quality control standards. Only products that demonstrate a proven, high level of performance and integrity, become part of our range of mobility products.
For additional advice on choosing mobility scooter tyres, don’t hesitate to ask the helpful team here at Strident. Our knowledgeable team is happy to answer any questions and assist you make an informed decision.
You can get in touch with us directly on 0845 555 5511, or message us via the contact page. For more information on any of our products, please download one of our brochures.
Storing Batteries - Our Top Tips
Depending on your specific needs, you may not use your batteries on a daily basis. In which case, the issue of how best to store them becomes very important.
So what exactly is the best way to effectively store your batteries? The answer really depends on the product’s type, or chemistry.
The recommended temperature to store most battery types at, is around 15°C.
At extreme temperatures, they can be stored at a minimum of -40°C, and a maximum of 50°C. There are more important considerations other than just temperature however.
For example, lead acid batteries should always be kept fully charged during storage. But nickel and lithium based chemistries should be stored at around 40% of their maximum capacities. This is in order to reduce any potential capacity loss, while still ensuing the battery runs optimally.
Bear the following points in mind when storing batteries for any length of time:
• Before storing your batteries, remove them from any equipment they might be attached to, and ensure they’re placed in a cool, dry area.
• Make sure they’re not likely to freeze over. Remember that they will freeze more easily if they’ve been drained.
• Lead acid batteries should be charged before storing, and you should regularly check their charge levels.
• Nickel batteries can be safely stored for up to five years with no charge in them if necessary.
• Lithium-ion batteries should be stored at around 40% capacity.
• Remember to keep all battery products out of reach of children.
For additional tips on battery storage, or for advice on purchasing new batteries, don’t hesitate to ask the team here at Ivanhoe.
With over 15 years of direct experience with battery power, our knowledgeable team is happy to help you make an informed decision.
You can get in touch with us directly on 0845 555 5511, or message us via the contact page. For more information on any of our products, please download one of our brochures.
Maintaining Your Scooter Batteries – Our Top Tips
It’s always a sensible idea to invest in good quality batteries for your mobility scooter. But once purchased, properly maintaining those batteries should be an important practice. You can expect most battery products to last around a year before they’re in need of replacement. But with the following tips, they could last much longer - providing maximum value-for-money and reliability.
Don’t overcharge them
Overcharging is one of the most common causes of shortened battery lifespans. Mobility scooter batteries will tend to reach capacity (from empty) over the course of around 8 hours. So if you charge your batteries overnight, be sure to disconnect your charger in the morning once the batteries are full. Try and get in the habit of connecting and disconnecting your charger at the same times each day, to get into a proper routine. Chargers with built-in overcharge protection (like the ones here) can also help to negate this issue.
Run new batteries down
Every set of new batteries you purchase should be charged up to full and then run down a few times before use. This helps them to operate optimally and provide accurate readouts of their current charge level.
Make sure you’re using the correct charger
This should be obvious, but incorrect charger use can be especially harmful to your batteries’ longevity. Make sure that you use a charger recommended by your battery’s manufacturer, or one specified in your product’s manual. Take a look at our page on selecting the best charger for your battery, for a few more pointers.
Drain and charge them when they’re not in use
If you don’t use your mobility scooter regularly, your batteries won’t get used (or charged) as often as they should. Inactivity can be damaging to the battery’s chemicals, so be sure to drain and charge your batteries at least once every six weeks.
For more tips on battery maintenance, or for advice on purchasing new batteries for your scooter, don’t hesitate to ask the team here at Ivanhoe.
With over 15 years of direct experience with battery power, our knowledgeable team is happy to help you make an informed decision.
You can get in touch with us directly on 0845 555 5511, or message us via the contact page. For more information on any of our products, please download one of our brochures here.