Unlike their electric counterparts, battery-powered equipment will only function for so long before it needs to be recharged. To reduce employee downtime, it is important to have multiple batteries on hand, charging backups while others are in use.

Automatic chargers offer the greatest convenience for maintaining battery life because workers just have to plug the battery in and let the charger take over. Manual chargers, on the other hand, require additional attention, but often cost less than their automatic counterparts.

Maintaining battery life will streamline cleaning efficiencies, but there will be times cleaners notice that a battery is not holding its charge. To determine whether a battery is still functioning properly, charge it completely along with a functioning battery. Once charged, remove both from the chargers and let them sit for one hour. Then measure the voltage of each to compare. If problems persist, contact your distributor of the battery manufacturer.


posted on 6/21/2011