Frequently Asked Questions
(Actual questions from customers)

Web Site Questions

1) I can't find my battery on your site. Can you help?
2) Do you accept Purchase Orders?
3) Do you offer any discounts?
4) Can you provide a written quote?

Battery Questions

5) What is the lifespan of the battery I purchased?
6) Is there a "Memory Effect" with your batteries?
7) How should I maintain the batteries I purchase from you?
8) Do these batteries need to discharged completely occasionally?
9) Should I order spare batteries?
10) My battery measures 12 Volts with a voltmeter, but my equipment still doesn't work. What could be the cause?
11) Are your Wheelchair batteries allowed on Aircraft?
12) How do I dispose of my old battery?
13) Can I get a battery with more capacity for my equipment?
14) Gel vs. Absorption Glass Mat(AGM) vs. Sealed Lead Acid.

Shipping Questions

15) How do I determine the shipping cost of my order?
16) When can I expect my battery order to arrive?
17) Can you ship via US Postal Service? DHL? FEDEX?
18) Will you drop ship to a different location? Will you Blind Ship?

1) I can't find my battery on your site. Can you help?
    Probably. The first thing to determine is the battery voltage and capacity. Usually the Model of the battery will give a clue as to the proper size. The Model usually contains the voltage and capacity of the battery. For example a battery labeled PS1210 is a 12V 10Ah battery, a NP7-12 is a 12V 8Ah battery.
    Also, battery technology has improved through the years. So, a 12V 4Ah battery can be replaced with a 12V 5Ah battery. Compare the dimensions, (click on our battery number), with your battery. If they are close, then our battery is a direct replacement.
    Batteries are manufactured in standard "Footprint" sizes. So, a 12V 8Ah battery from one manufacturer will have the same dimensions as a 12V 8Ah battery from a different manufacturer. There are a few exceptions. If in doubt, please call us at (866)597-3709.

2) Do you accept Purchase Orders?
     Yes, we accept Purchase Orders from customers with an account with us. You must have your credit approved with us before an account is approved. Please complete our Credit Application.
     Repeat customers may be offered a credit account without the requirement of a credit application, on a case-by-case basis.
     If ordering online using a PO, please select the Purchase Order option in the Shopping Cart, and notate the PO# in the comments box at the bottom of the customer information screen.

3) Do you offer any discounts?
    We do offer discounts for larger quantity orders, Resellers, and repeat customers with a good history with Arizona Battery. If you believe you qualify for a discount, please contact us for a "Discount Code".

4) Can you provide a written quote?
     Sure. Just call or E-Mail your request for quote. Your request must contain your Company name, Shipping Address, Phone Number, and either a fax number or E-Mail address to deliver the quote. (Of course include what you want quoted).

5) What is the lifespan of the battery I purchased?
     The lifespan of a Sealed Lead Acid battery depends on a number of variables. Number of charge/discharge cycles, temperature, charging systems, maintenance, and depth of discharge when used are just a few of them.
     The lifespan in an alarm can be conservatively estimated at 4-6 Years, in an UPS 3-5 years, and in wheelchairs and scooters approximately one year, if the scooter is used daily.

6) Is there a "Memory Effect" with your batteries?
     NO... The Memory effect is the problem that Ni-Cad batteries suffer from. If Ni-Cad batteries aren't discharged completely at regular intervals, they develop a "Memory" of their last discharge level. For example, if a Ni-Cad is not allowed to discharged below 75% for a long period of time, then the battery will only accept an additional 25% charge. Even if the battery is then discharged completely, it will only charge 25%. This is NOT TRUE for our batteries. (SEE NEXT QUESTION)

7) How should I maintain the batteries I purchase from you?
    Keep the battery at a constant temperature between 50 and 100 whenever possible. Higher temperatures are a factor in shortened lifespan.
   When not supplying power, the batteries should be on a charging system. Alarm systems and UPS systems have built in chargers that maintain the batteries in a full charge state. Wheelchairs and Scooters should have the battery charger connected whenever the Scooter is not being used.

8) Do these batteries need to discharged completely occasionally?
     NO!!! Many of our customers believe that Sealed Lead Acid batteries should occasionally be discharged completely  to prevent the "Memory" effect. This is not true.... ALL Sealed Lead Acid batteries are damaged to some extend by complete discharge. Some are designed to tolerate this better than others.
    These batteries are IDENTICAL to automobile batteries in the materials they use. The only difference is that the Electrolyte in an automobile battery is liquid, and in our batteries the electrolyte is suspended in an Absorption Glass Mat (AGM). This acts as a sponge to prevent any spills or leaks. That is the reason they can be used in any position, even upside down!! Anyway, since they both use the same materials, doesn't it make sense that the Charging/discharging characteristics would be the same in this regard? You certainly would not completely discharge your car battery before charging it. 

9) Should I order spare batteries?
     In most cases, no. In our experience, spare batteries sit on a shelf until they are needed. That could be 3-5 years later. At that time the battery on the shelf would have self discharged below an acceptable level. These are very common batteries and are usually in stock at numerous vendors, (including Arizona Battery ;-)  ). If you maintain a large number of equipment that requires these batteries, then a stocking level may be necessary to prevent downtime. However, if the batteries aren't used in 6 Months they should be charged.

10) My battery measures 12 Volts with a voltmeter, but my equipment still doesn't work. What's the cause?
      You measured "Open Circuit" voltage. This is not the best means of determining battery condition. A bad battery may still measure full Voltage or more and still not be able to support the load.
     Lead Acid batteries are most accurately tested by measuring the "Specific Gravity" of the Electrolyte. Since our batteries are sealed, and the electrolyte is not in a liquid form, this is not possible. Testing can be accomplished by measuring the Voltage drop across the battery, while it is under load. That is when the condition of the battery is evident.

11) Are your Wheelchair batteries allowed on Aircraft?
      Absolutely. As mentioned before, the electrolyte is not in a liquid format. So these batteries will not Spill, or leak. They also use a Recombinant method of 'recycling any vapors that a "Flooded" battery releases to the atmosphere. These batteries do not vent vapors during normal use.

12) How do I dispose of my old battery?
      By law, these batteries CANNOT be put into landfills. They must be disposed of properly because of the Hazardous Materials involved.
     To save on expenses, try a local recycler. If they accept automobile batteries, they should accept these as well. (As mentioned before, the materials are the same). Or contact a national recycler such as www.rbrc.org . They are a Non-profit recycler.
    You can ALWAYS ship your battery to us for proper disposal. Contact us for procedures.

13) Can I get a battery with more capacity for my equipment?
       Sometimes.. The space available for the battery is the most critical. There are a few batteries that have a slightly higher capacity contained in the same "Footprint". A 12V9Ah battery for example is the physical size as a 12V8Ah battery. So it can be used to get more backup power. Be aware that a larger capacity battery may give you more backup, but it will also take longer to fully recharge.

14) Gel vs. Absorption Glass Mat(AGM) vs. Sealed Lead Acid.
       Ok, so what is the deal with all these battery styles? Sealed lead acid, gel, absorption glass mat (AGM), so many to choose from which is the right battery for my application? Well, to answer that question right off the bat, gel batteries and AGM Batteries are classified under "Sealed Lead Acid" batteries. This classification also includes flooded or wet cell batteries. Gel batteries can be replaced with AGM batteries and in some instances can be replaced with flooded or wet cells, and vise versa. The only problems with using wet cells to replace Gel or AGM is; A: they may leak in certain application B: They vent hydrogen gas and can cause health and fire hazards in certain enclosed conditions and C: Have to maintain a certain water/electrolyte level to function properly. Where AGM batteries store their electrolyte in fiberglass mats gel batteries store the exact same type of electrolyte material in a, well, gelationous state. Gel and AGM are interchangeable and sometimes AGM batteries are referred to as gel batteries.

15) How do I determine the shipping cost of my order?
       When you add an item to your shopping cart, there is a box to select your "Zip Code Range". When you select the range your Zip code is in, the shipping cost for your order is displayed.
       This cost is based on UPS Ground. If you desire another method of shipping, please contact us and we'll quote you the shipping cost.

16) When can I expect my battery order to arrive?
       We ship using UPS Ground. Usually your battery is in stock and will ship the same day, (if ordered before 3PM Arizona Time). Time in transit can be determined on this UPS Ground Map. You will receive an E-Mail after your order that contains the Tracking Number. The UPS Website at www.ups.com can give you a delivery date for your shipment as well as it's current location.

17) Can you ship via US Postal Service? DHL? FEDEX?
      Our preferred method of shipment is UPS Ground. However, if you desire a different method of shipment, we will accommodate your wishes.

18) Will you drop ship to a different location? Will you Blind Ship?
       Drop ship is defined as shipping to an address, or a person other than the purchaser. Blind Ship is shipping without any pricing or "Arizona Battery" name. The purchaser's name or company will be shown as the "Return Address".
       We can drop ship, just enter a different "Bill to" and "Ship to" Addresses. We will Blind Ship if your instruct us to do so in the "Comments" Box in the shopping cart.