VRLA batteries play a crucial role in providing power in UPS, communications and road sign applications. For large scale installations requiring multiple VRLA batteries, a common concern is how to maximise battery service life in order to reduce maintenance time and replacement costs.

Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries are widely used in a number of different applications, from mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs through to communications sites.

When you install a Gel or AGM type battery for any application, you need to ensure you’re using the correct size battery charger for the technology and size of your battery. If your battery is not fully charged, it cannot operate at its peak performance.

Every type of industrial battery will list a ‘design life’ on the Battery Specifications sheet. Design life can range from 8 years for a standard AGM battery or 20 years for a top-of-the-line Gel battery.

For technicians in the fire protection industry, it is essential to ensure starter batteries used in diesel powered pump systems are of the correct capacity.

Under specifying the batteries means that the fire system may be left vulnerable in a critical emergency and fail to perform the job it is designed for. As batteries age, it is also imperative that correct maintenance and testing is being carried out so that there is peace of mind should an emergency occur.

Lithium Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are now widely used in a range of applications, from mobility scooters to caravans to providing back up power for remote communications towers. 

When you install a Lithium battery for any type of application, you need to ensure you’re using the correct battery charger for the technology and the size of the battery.

So how do you determine what battery charger you need?

Travelling by plane and unsure if you can take your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair batteries with you on your flight?

Over the years, this has become a common question asked by our customers. So we have taken the time to research and speak to airlines such as QANTAS in regards to their battery policies.

So you’re planning to travel overseas and need to be able to use your mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. You’re probably wondering if your battery charger will work or if you will need to purchase a new charger which will be compatible in the country you are travelling to. 

Here at Valen, we get asked about this a lot!

It is essential that technicians, and anyone attending site, stay safe around fire protection systems and the supporting batteries. After all…these systems are there to protect lives and assets.

For technicians in the fire systems industry, selecting the right type of battery is critical to guarantee power supply in the event of an emergency.

An important specification for batteries used in fire systems is Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). However, there is some confusion within the industry between CCA ratings and Ampere hour (Ah) ratings.

In this blog post, the experts at Valen will clarify the differences between these ratings and explain the significance of CCA in fire system applications.

Fire panels, hydrants and sprinkler systems all depend on batteries to function in the event of an emergency.

For technicians in the fire systems industry, selecting the right type of battery is critical to ensure its compliant, meets specifications and will supply power to the equipment its connected to.  

Deciding on the right type of industrial battery to use in a solar powered road sign is crucial to ensuring the sign always remains functional.

In this blog post, the experts at Valen explain the importance of using cyclic batteries in solar powered road signs as well as advantages of certain battery types.

A highly critical component of any solar system, whether it’s used for powering a communications tower, road sign or even a caravan, is the solar charge controller

A solar charge controller is a device used to control the charge coming in from a solar system to the batteries. They are essential in ensuring batteries are not overcharged.

Every industrial battery is engineered to meet a specific design life, provided the battery operates at a recommended temperature.

Different applications call for different lengths of design life, which in turn affects the specs of a battery and the requirements it must meet.

Phone towers. Radio repeaters, Base stations. They all rely on some form of battery system, whether its an AGM Battery or a Gel Battery for energy storage and back-up power.

If it’s up to you to ensure that communications coverage and support is never compromised, you need trustworthy, long-lasting batteries that are able to meet the load demands of the communication equipment.

A common headache for those working on communications projects is choosing the right battery technology to ensure Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) are met across different sites.

Guaranteeing uptime and arranging maintenance can be particularly difficult for solar powered remote locations.

Thankfully, lithium batteries have emerged as a revolutionary battery technology, promising low maintenance and superior performance. But not all lithium batteries are the same. 

Batteries used to start pumps in fire systems play an integral role in protecting the lives of people in both residential and commercial buildings. 

Technicians who install and maintain fire systems are required to conduct regular battery load testing in accordance with Australian Standard AS1851.2012. This Standard outlines specific requirements for the routine servicing of fire protection systems.

Looking for a reliable and dependable battery for your fire or pumping system? Valen has the solution for the fire and pumping industry with their Valen Topin range of batteries.

Which Battery Tester is best for testing Communication Batteries?

Is there a tester I can use while my telecommunication system is still connected and live?

How do I test how long my radio site batteries are going to last?

Technicians from the communications market often ask these questions, and Valen has all the answers for you!

Stand alone solar systems place cyclic pressure on the batteries storage systems due to regular use and factors such as solar drought. This means that such systems must utilise batteries designed for cyclic use, rather than standby use.

A cyclic battery is designed to charge and discharge all day, every day, making them ideal for solar applications. When the sun comes out, the batteries will begin to charge. When the sun goes down at night or there's heavy cloud cover, the battery starts to discharge to supply the load. Therefore, the battery is cycling each and every day.

The RE856 Live Circuit Battery Impedance Tester is the dependable and ideal battery impedance tester for technicians in many different industries including Communications and Water! Innovation is key to our industry and we are continuously finding ways to improve our products and services for our clients; the RE856 is no exception.

Looking for Fire Compliant Batteries & Battery Testers?

Concerned about your Battery or Battery Testing equipment product compliance?

At Valen, we understand the seriousness of product compliance within the fire industry. So we ensure the following products are backed by the necessary certifications and standards.

The Hioki 3554 is an impedance tester which measures the Battery Impedance in mohms (mΩ). Like all impedance meters, the Hioki 3554 has the ability to test batteries simultaneously. It can also test within live circuit and take accurate comparative readings for early diagnosis of a battery failure.

Neglecting to charge Mobility Scooter or Powered Wheelchair batteries could reduce your scooters' driving power and interrupt the freedom you've come to rely upon and enjoy!

However, if you follow the instructions below, your Mobility Scooter or Powered Wheelchair will always be ready to take you wherever you need to go and when you want to go.

When the weather starts to get colder, we often get asked the question, how does the cold affect my batteries?

The answer will depend on the battery technology as each technology has its own characteristics. However, like human beings, all VRLA Deep Cycle batteries perform best when stored and operated at room temperature (around 20°C).

Which Battery Tester is correct?

Which Battery Tester should I use to Test my VRLA Batteries?

These questions are regularly asked by our clients - the answer is dependent on which Battery technology and Battery Sizes you want to test.

In this blog post, the experts at provide a quick guide to choosing the VRLA Battery Tester for your needs. For a table guide reference, click on the link to view our Battery Tester Comparison Chart!

What kills VRLA Batteries?

Why do VRLA Batteries not last?

What is the reason VRLA Batteries fail prematurely?

How do I ensure longevity from my Battery System?

Questions that are regularly asked – the answer, is there are multiple reasons why your system might not last as long as you think it should! In this blog post, the experts at Valen take a look at some of these reasons and ways you can prevent your VRLA batteries from failing prematurely.

The answer will depend on how much you use your scooter.

Just like there are different shoes for different uses; so also with batteries for different levels of usage.

Lithium Phosphate batteries are a relatively new technology when it comes to industrial batteries.

Lithium Iron Phosphate formulations have proven to be safe and highly effective for energy storage applications. However, there are certain safety considerations to be aware of when it comes to handling, shipping or storing these types of batteries.  

Like most industrial batteries, VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries are very easy and safe to handle.

Because the electrolyte in the battery is immobilised using either Gel or Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM), VRLA batteries are considered to be ‘dry’ or ‘sealed’ and can be handled and shipped accordingly as non-dangerous goods.

A VRLA battery is housed in a plastic ABS casing and this arrangement is considered to be rugged. However, general safety measures should always be applied when handling any industrial battery.

To prevent potential damage and ensure an optimum cycle life, industrial batteries always need to be safely stored.

VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, sometimes referred to as SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries, are known to be relatively easy to store and handle.