Ordering A Battery

Ordering a car battery could not be easier... our battery search and ordering facility means that within a few clicks of your mouse you can arrange for us to replace your old battery.

And we do the work. Our price includes fitting on your driveway, or at your workplace, and disposal of your old car battery. (Disposal is done in an environmentally friendly way.)

If you look at any battery, you will notice that it has two terminals. One terminal is positive (+), while the other is marked negative (-). Unlike small batteries that have one terminal on each end, car batteries have two heavy lead posts that are both on the top.

A car battery is usually situated under the bonnet (hood). However, some vehicle manufacturers put the battery under the rear passenger seats or in the boot. (This positioning is more common on large executive models.)

Some vehicles (models like Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Mitsubishi) have two batteries. Two batteries tend to be used on vehicles with a large engine size.

A battery is an electrical storage device. Batteries do not make electricity, they store it.

The car battery is made up of galvanic cells which use metals and chemicals to store electricity. The majority of modern car batteries are wet cell. The cells consist of a series of thin dissimilar metal plates immersed in an acid solution.

The Beginnings of the Battery

The first Battery was invented in the 18th century by Alessandro Volta. He created his battery by stacking alternating layers of zinc, blotting paper soaked in salt water, and silver. He named this a voltaic pile. He discovered that he could increase the voltage of the stack by adding more layers.

Batteries have become an essential part of everyday life. They are the power source for millions of business, medical, military, industrial, and recreational appliances worldwide. And, of course, everyone who drives any vehicle uses a battery.

Warning Notes and Safety Regulations for Lead-Acid Batteries

1. Be careful to follow instructions for use that came with your battery, as well as instructions for operating the vehicle.
2. Wear eye protection when working with batteries.
3. Keep children away from acid and batteries.
4. Explosion hazard - A highly explosive oxyhydrogen gas mixture occurs when charging batteries. Therefore, sparks, naked flames, and smoking are prohibited. Avoid causing sparks when dealing with cables and electrical equipment, and beware of electrostatic discharges. Avoid short-circuits.
5. Corrosive hazard - Battery acid is highly corrosive. Therefore, wear protective gloves and eye protection. Do not tilt the battery, as acid can escape from the degassing openings or vents.
6. First Aid - If any acid is splashed in the eyes, flush (rinse) immediately for several minutes with clear water. Then consult a doctor immediately. Neutralise any acid splash on skin or clothes immediately with acid neutraliser (soda), or with soapsuds, and rinse with plenty of water. If acid is consumed, consult a doctor immediately.
7. Warning note - Do not place batteries in the heat of direct sunlight without protection. In cold, discharged batteries can freeze up, therefore store it in an area free from frost.
8. Disposal - Dispose of old batteries only at an official collection point. NEVER dispose of old batteries as domestic waste.

A. Storage and transport

• Because batteries are filled with acid, always store the batteries upright, and secure against tipping over during transport.
• Store batteries in a cool and dry place.
• Do not remove the protective cap from the positive pole.

B. Initial operation

• New batteries are filled with an acid density of 1.28g/ml by the manufacturer and are ready for use.
• Recharge the battery if the starting performance is inadequate, or if it has discharged below 12.4 volts.

C. Installation in the vehicle

• After fitting a battery in a vehicle, remove the protective cap from the positive pole before attachment of the positive cable to the terminal. (If the battery is removed, replace the protective cap on the pole of the battery to prevent short circuits.)
• Switch off the engine and all electrical equipment before changing a battery.
• Avoid short circuits between connection cables, or the frame with the battery terminals. Be careful not to make even momentary short circuits with metal tools.
• When removing an old battery, first disconnect the negative post.
• Remove dirt or any other foreign matter from the battery carrier and clamp the battery tightly after installation.
• Clean terminal posts and clamps and other fixings, and lubricate slightly with battery grease.
• When installing, first connect positive post and check post clamps for firm seating.
• Put on the attachment parts such as post covers, degassing reservoir, elbow, hose connection, plugs and clamp holders from the battery which has been replaced.
• Leave at least one gas outlet open.
• We cannot be responsible for the effects of a complete loss of power to the vehicle. This may cause loss of engine management systems and in-car equipment. These may need to be re-programmed by the vehicle main dealer.

D. Charging

• Remove battery from the vehicle and be sure to disconnect the battery cables.
• Ensure adequate ventilation in the area where the battery will be charging.
• Only use suitable direct current chargers.
• Connect positive pole of the battery to the positive output of the charger. Connect negative post appropriately.
• Only switch on charger after connection to the battery. After charging, switch off the charger first before disconnecting the cables.
• The current recommendation for charging is 1/10 amperes of the battery capacity Ah.
• If the acid temperature exceeds 55°C, interrupt the charging until it cools down.
• The battery is fully charged when the acid density and the charging voltage have stopped rising for 2 hours.
• Check acid level and, if required, top up with distilled water. Never top up with acid.

E. Maintenance

• Keep your battery dry and clean.
• Check acid level regularly and replenish with distilled water. (In the event of considerable water consumption, have the alternator voltage regulator checked).
• Do not use any so-called improving agents.
• If the acid density is below 1.21kg/l (1.18 in the case of electrolyte 1.23) recharge the battery.
• The voltage of the battery should be checked every 8 - 10 weeks. If the voltage discharges below 12.4 volts the battery should be removed and placed on an overnight trickle charge - not exceeding 10% of the amp hour capacity (i.e. a 50 amp hour battery should not receive a trickle charge above 5 amps).
• In case of loss, only use a terminal screw plug of the same type and make only!

F. Jump starting

• Only use standard jump leads in accordance with DIN 72553 and follow the operating instructions.
• Switch off both vehicle engines.
• First connect the two positive posts. Then connect the negative post of the vehicle providing the charging assistance source. Then connect the negative crocodile clip to a bare metallic point on the vehicle requiring the battery charge. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the assistance, and then start the engine of the vehicle requiring assistance. If the vehicle does not start immediately, do not turn the starter for more than 15 seconds at a time.
• Disconnect the cables in reverse order.

G. Re charging procedure

• In the event of a battery requiring jump starting, or if a battery has become completely discharged, it should be removed from the vehicle within 48 hours and placed on a trickle charge - not exceeding 10% of it's amp hour capacity (i.e. a 50 amp hour battery should not receive a trickle charge above 5 amps) for a period of 12 hours. Failure to recharge a battery that has become discharged will cause serious damage to the battery, and seriously limit its life. Damage of this nature will invalidate the battery guarantee.

H. Taking batteries out of service

• Charge the battery, then store it in a cool place. If the battery is to remain in a vehicle, disconnect the negative terminal.
• Check the state of the battery charge regularly and correct by re-charging, if required. (See item E).

I. Guarantee

• Where possible, we supply VARTA quality batteries and thereby guarantee the processing of satisfactory materials, correct technical design, and the maintenance of DIN standards for dimensions and performance. If, in spite of the most stringent production controls, a defect should occur which is our responsibility, after checking the battery we will decide whether to rectify it, change it, or take it back refunding the purchase price, taking into consideration the period of use. Claims over and above this are excluded.
• This guarantee presupposes that the date the battery was put into use is proven by the date stamping on the terminals, guarantee calendar, or receipt of purchase, and that we were given the opportunity to check the battery in a laboratory. Normal wear and tear and damage that can be attributed to negligent or careless handling or loading are not covered by our guarantee.
• We are also not liable if the Customer or any third party undertake modifications or repairs on batteries supplied by us