These days, it’s common to run a lot of your business by battery. Batteries can be a great way to operate tools and other equipment in any workspace, especially when you don’t have electricity available. But if you don’t pay attention to them, those batteries might run out or break down when you need them most. Here are a few tips to manage your batteries, and improve their lifespan and output.

Track Batteries by Age
Batteries tend to lose their ability to recharge the older they get. You may still get practical use out of them, but you will need to plug them in more frequently. When you buy a new battery, label it with the date that you started using it. Research the typical lifespan of the battery. You can also label batteries by number and keep an electronic inventory of the dates that you purchased them. That way, you’ll have a sense of the overall age of your batteries, as well as when you might need to replace them.

Label Batteries by Tool
Although you might be able to standardize your batteries for a variety of tools, this isn’t always an option. Organize your batteries based on the tools that they go with. Put a label on the battery to identify which tools use it. If possible, keep the batteries close to the appropriate tools. For a larger workspace, creating a station with a battery bank can make it easier to grab the battery you need and take it to the workstation. That way, you spend less time tracking down the battery in order to use the tool.

Standardize Your Batteries
When you first start a contracting business, you may have a handful of tools from various manufacturers. Tools that run on batteries are often proprietary, meaning that you can’t use a single battery to work with all of them. Many manufacturers standardize their tools to work with a handful of proprietary batteries, which means that you could use one battery to operate many different tools from the same manufacturer. In the beginning, it’s a good idea to research the tools that are best for your field and the services you intend to perform. Read reviews of brands and choose one that seems like the best fit. This investment at the beginning will make it easier to minimize the number of batteries that you need to purchase in the future.

Store Batteries Correctly
When you look at the anticipated lifespan of a battery, you should keep in mind that the lifespan depends heavily on the way that you use it. As a general rule, the battery should be kept in a cool, dry place. You won’t want to leave them outside, particularly during hot or humid weather. These conditions don’t just shorten the lifespan of the battery. They can also cause damage that leads to problems like leaking. If you plan to leave the batteries in a charging bank at the end of the day, determine if the battery bank has trickle charging capability. Trickle charging means that the charger brings the battery up to a full charge slowly. Older batteries and chargers may not have this capability, which can lead to lower output over time.

Test Batteries Regularly
If you have several batteries and you’re not using them all the time, you need to test them to confirm that they still work. Grabbing a battery from the bank is easy, but you may end up using some batteries more than others. Cycling your batteries is a better approach because each one gets worn at a similar rate. Batteries that don’t get used very often may lose the ability to keep a charge, especially if you leave them completely drained for long periods of time. Make a plan to test each battery at least once a month to confirm that it works. Batteries that aren’t working appropriately should be taken out of the rotation.

You might be surprised how easy it is to manage batteries, in a way that makes it more effective for your business. To learn more things you’ll need to know as a contracting business owner, visit CSLS today!