‘Dead’ Car Batteries

The main purpose for any automotive battery is to start the engine.  These Batteries uses less than three percent of its capacity to start the engine.  As soon as the engine starts, the power for the car is supplied by the alternator.  These batteries are designed to discharge high voltage of current and then recharge quickly. Most of the SLI or lead -acid battery provides 12 Volts of direct current.

The car battery usually has a life about 5 years.  But, did you know that the Battery which we assume dead are actually good batteries.  They just don’t produce enough power to start a car engine but it does discharge little power which can be used for smaller things.  The power discharged from a dead battery is enough for the lights and fans in our house.  Instead of putting it in the carriage or simply returning it to the service person we can put these batteries to a good use.

It can be used to charge a solar panel of 20 watts using the charge controller. In another instance the lead from the dead battery can be recycled into solar cells.

If unsure about how to use the dead car battery, please ensure that it is disposed /recycled properly. The best way is to always return it to your mechanic or service provider who will in turn see to that, it is recycled properly.

The heavy metals in the battery may pollute the environment to a greater extent. It can pollute the air and water around us. Nearly 90% of the heavy metals and toxic chemicals in lead-acid batteries can be recycled.  Thus, if unsure about how to use the dead car battery, please ensure that it is disposed /recycled properly.

Battery Recycling

Lead is an important and major component in all batteries. If not handled with care it can be hazardous and can harm the environment and people around. People living around the facilities that process lead are highly prone to get lead- poisoning where they have very high blood lead levels.

To save your children and planet from lead poisoning, we have to handle the used batteries with care.

At SF Sonic, they collect the used automotive batteries from their dealers at regular intervals. These batteries are then recycled as per the regulations stated by the Ministry of Environment. Our dealers collect the used batteries from customers and keep them safely at their possession until we from SF Sonic collect it.

We encourage our customers to return their used battery to the authorized dealers instead of disposing it on their own. By this process, we ensure that the battery is disposed of safely without polluting the environment.

Let us join hands to keep life on earth pollution free.

Recycle Batteries and Save the World!

Every one of us is trying our best to do our part in reducing the global warming that is scaring our world right now. As part of one of the initiatives, scientists have started a promotion called Urjar, which focuses on research of recycled batteries that can be used to give power for other electrical equipments. Recent study has shown that the discarded battery of a laptop helps in charging a mobile phone, a fan and light bulb continuously for 4 hours in a day. This breakthrough in technology urges everybody to discard their batteries in nearest dealer showrooms such as SF Sonic that supports recycling batteries for other purposes and safely discarding the exposed batteries.

CFL bulbs for example, have traces of mercury that are very harmful for health if exposed in high quantities. Improper disposal of CFL lamps may lead to high level of toxins in the environment and a more polluted area for the next generation. Therefore, though the use of CFL battery helps in reducing the demand of electricity, it’s hazardous after effects needs to be spread across nations and inculcate safe disposal and proper recycling.

These are the few ways that lead poisoning occurs when automotive batteries are not recycled properly:

• Lead particles are as small as dust and settle in our clothes
• Huge traces of lead is also released as fume or dust
• Small particles can be ingested with food and drink as they are not visible
• When lead inhales it settles in the lungs causing harmful infections

Exposure to lead can cause kidney failure, muscular trauma, nervous system might breakdown, anemia and hypertension and other permanent diseases. SF Sonic collect batteries from dealers personally at regular intervals to ensure they are safely recycled or discarded without any contamination.

To encourage this further, SF Sonic has partnered with UNICEF to provide children a better place to live in by initiating environmental campaigns for a cleaner world. SF Sonic and UNICEF mainly focus on:

• Preventive measures for decrease infant mortality
• Sanitation procedures and coverage
• Integration with other industries for nutrition, health and education.
• Solid and liquid waste management techniques
• Focus on methods to enable safe water drinking options
• Monitor hygiene and sanitation control in underdeveloped areas

These are some of the initiatives that have begun and paved way for many more initiatives such as better hygiene conditions in schools, rural pipe and water safety systems and so on. SF Sonic believes that with every battery that is recycled, the money saved will lead to these initiatives that make a change for the country and for the future generation. So join hands together and do your bit to recycle automotive batteries in India!

Prepare with Caution While Handling Two Wheeler Batteries!

It is extremely hazardous to handle two wheeler batteries without proper knowledge on how to use them while replacing or fixing a repaired battery. All automotive batteries contain battery acid which can be very toxic and hazardous to health if inhaled for too long. Therefore, there are some precautionary measures that must be followed while handling two wheeler batteries.

• Handling battery acid: Electrolyte in the battery acid is extremely dangerous and can cause permanent damage especially if splashed in to the eyes. Always ensure you wear gloves and a mask before you start changing your battery, and in case of a spill on your clothes, rinse immediately with baking soda and water to remove the smell and the stain. If the battery acid spills on your skin, rinse it thoroughly for 5 minutes and seek medical advice.
• When You Need to Prepare the Electrolyte: If you need to develop more electrolytes for battery, use concentrated acid and water to prepare the electrolyte. Please note to pour the concentrated acid on the water and never the other way around as it might lead to spillage and effervescence. Always remember to store the electrolyte in a bottled container and label it as electrolyte and keep it stored away in a cool and dry area away from the sunlight. Electrolyte appears like bottled water, therefore ensure to label it and keep it in a safe place where it is not mistaken and used as water. If incase this mishap occurs, drink large quantities of water along with milk of magnesia and vegetable oil. Seek medical advice if burning sensation does not reduce.
• Keep flammable items away: All car and two wheeler batteries generate gases that might be explosive and dangerous during emission or while charging them separately. Ensure lighters, cigarettes, sparks and other flammable items are kept away from the battery every time you remove it.
• Remember to always cover your eyes with glasses as there might be sparks, explosions or acid splurge which can cause permanent damage to your eyesight
• Always charge batteries in an area with windows and the doors open. Ensure that the room is well ventilated as it lets out all the dangerous gases and avoid any accidents.
• The fundamental and most forgotten step is to ensure that your battery charger or ignition is off before you decide to remove your battery. Failing to do this, might result in damage to the battery and spillage or shocks to you.
• It is always important to ensure your body never touches the battery, therefore be fully clothed with an apron, goggles, gloves and proper shoes while handling the battery. Though the steps to replace a two wheeler battery might be simple, the precautionary steps are very critical and of utmost importance while handling the batteries.

6 Essentials You Must Carry Along on Your Road Trip

Be it in your car or bike, there are some mandatory items that you must carry along while planning a road trip. Before you start, check your car battery or two-wheeler batteries and ensure it’s properly charged for a long drive! Do a complete service of your vehicle to avoid any hiccups on your journey.

1. Maps! GPS and more!
   That’s right, Google Maps and the GPS will be your ultimate companion during your road trip. Make sure you are never lost, avoid roads with heavy traffic and find even restaurants close to your destination using Gmaps! You can even find famous landmarks that will help reach your destination.
   You can even print a custom map from Google Maps or Map quest route planner if you do not trust your GPS system and follow the traditional way of a road trip.
2. Travel and Other Fun Apps
   If you are an android or an Apple user, you can download travel apps such as packing pro, weatherpro, tipulator etc that help you with while travelling by providing weather reports, to-do lists, currency converters, current news and more that are essential while travelling. Some apps also come with games and quizzes to make sure your backseat companion is occupied.
3. Jazzing it up with a Playlist
   Be it your I-Pod or on your Audio System, make sure you have a collection of the best hits from your favorite albums to give you company during a long drive. It really comes as a savior in places where the radio frequency might be a bit sketchy!
4. Food a’Plenty!
   Though this is one item that you might never forget, make sure you have a backup of goodies stored in your trunk or an extra bag, in case you are caught up on the road due to some technical glitch. Carrying plenty of fluids is a must along with some biscuits and fruits to keep you light headed throughout the trip.
5. Personal Toiletries and Essentials
   Basic toiletries such as tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer and medicines are a must no matter where you travel. Be proactive and pack a first-aid kit along with this be ready for any mishaps that might happen during your trip.
6. Manuals, Vehicle Kits and More
   Another must-have that you must carry on all your road trips, is a duplicate set of keys for your vehicle! Along with this, carry a user manual to help you change flat tyres, check for oil and to work on your engine along with contact numbers of your mechanics for roadside assistance.

Learn some tips on two wheeler battery maintenance, or on how to handle the car battery since it is the heart of any vehicle and must be dealt with proper care. You can check for battery related maintenance tips and automotive battery handling on SFSonic Power. Make a check-list of these 6 essentials and enjoy a hassle-free road trip this season!