Should You Buy a Used Battery?

 

Batteries are expensive and you will likely be tempted at some point to buy a refurbished one. As a general rule it is not advisable, and here’s why:

• You probably won’t know the history of how the battery was used by the previous owner. How was it stored? How often was it used? New batteries come with warranties so you know they will at least last as long as expected or you get a free replacement. 

• Over time batteries lose their ability to hold a charge, so even when fully charged up an older battery won’t last as long. For the ones you recharge often, like cell phones, this can become a problem if you end up needing to charge it several times a day at inconvenient times.

• They are designed to be charged only a certain number of times. Older batteries, such as NiCad can also suffer from memory effect, which means they will only charge up to the last point they were charged, whether or not that was to full capacity. 

If all you need is a short term fix before replacing your car or electronics, it may be okay to buy a refurbished battery to use for a year or so, but you will then have to concern yourself with recycling it afterwards. Ultimately you may decide that buying a recycled battery is better for the environment and promotes lower consumption, which is a personal choice. To learn more about used and reconditioned batteries in Carlsbad, visit our website.