Introduction
Maintaining a clean house is very important. Many people have moved on with an automatic vacuum cleaner, giving them more time to enjoy other activities with their families. However, a robotic vacuum can only continue to clean your house as long it has a strong and good battery supply.
A vacuum cleaner battery is a key component for every portable and cordless vacuum cleaner. Even if you have a vacuum with the best features, but if its battery seems fails to perform, then it won't be able the function like before. The battery is thus an essential replacement part for your vacuum cleaner. Before investing in one, make sure to check out the below-listed features and aspects:
Types of Vacuum Cleaner Batteries
The vacuum cleaner batteries come in both AA and AAA configurations and should be replaced with a battery with a similar composition type. The new batteries will ensure that you get more charging cycles with low discharge rates. The most common types of rechargeable batteries employed in vacuum cleaners are Lead Acid, NiMH, NiCad, and lithium batteries. So depending upon your requirement and vacuum type, you choose from any of the following batteries:
- Lead Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are one of the most widely used batteries in cordless vacuums. They employ the same principle as car batteries where they have electrolytes in the gel form. They are quite inexpensive, maintenance-free, and immune to memory effects.
- Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
It does not matter, the vacuum type you have at your home, NiMH can be used in any type of vacuum cleaners. They tend to have a high charging capacity than lead-acid batteries. With a longer life span, low discharge currents, and eco-friendly usage, NiMH has completely revolutionized the utilization of battery-powered vacuum cleaners.
- Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) Batteries
The high relative capacity and discharge current makes these batteries more suitable to work in all types of vacuum cleaners. It is one of the best batteries that support a high discharge current of up to 50C. Moreover, they are prone to a high memory effect.
- Lithium-Ion Polymer and Lithium-Ion Batteries
These are some of the high-end batteries in terms of mass and capacity. They last long as they show no impact of memory effect and have high current discharge rates. These batteries are commonly found in cordless vacuum cleaners.
Best practices for a Vacuum Cleaner battery
It is always best to completely discharge your vacuum cleaner from time to time; especially when storing it for at least a month. As each battery uses different chemical principles, you must use a charger that is specifically designed for that particular battery.
Whatever your battery type is, always look for a charger that supports high performance for a prolonged time. You should also have a check on the respective areas as mentioned below:
- It should have more than 1000 full charging cycles.
- It should follow a run time of up to one hour.
- It should have the best in class charge time of up to half an hour.
Memory Effect on Battery
Memory Effect is a crucial aspect of any battery’s life; especially if you go for NiCad or NiMH batteries. Make sure to not keep the battery on charge for a prolonged time; otherwise, it will lose its performance ability. Try and use the vacuum cleaner at regular intervals to keep the battery working for long. In the case of NiCad, try to completely discharge your vacuum cleaner battery and then charge it again to get the best results. It will refresh the battery’s capacity and make it last longer. However, if you are using either Li-ion or NiMH, don’t worry about your batteries. They will easily tackle all memory effect problems.
What Else to Look in Vacuum Cleaner Batteries?
Nowadays newer batteries have come up with high capacity and voltage and small size. They are optimized to supply high voltage while draining the large supply of currents. If the battery generates the voltage in between 13 to 19V and capacity from 4Ah to 6.5AH along with the high current, then:
- The performance time of the vacuum will increase as 6.5AH capacity can drain more current than the old battery due to low-capacity losses. For example, if your old battery vacuum operated for 20 minutes at full power then, the new battery model will operate for around 25 to 30 minutes.
- The power is increased four times from 100 to 300 W.
Rechargeable batteries die as well. Depending upon the chemistry type of a battery, they only withstand a defined number of charging and discharging cycles. For example, in the case of nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries, they tend to ensure hundreds of charging and discharging cycles. On the other hand, Nickel hydride batteries can support up to 500 cycles. So, it's important to treat your batteries properly and check your battery type so that it can be replaced in less time once discharged permanently.
Benefits of Using Vacuum Cleaners Batteries
- Saves Energy and Time
Battery operated vacuum cleaners save energy as compared to the cable operated vacuums. It also guarantees a long service life while being eco-friendly. The latest battery models consume less energy thus achieving longer run times.
- Fast Charging
The old battery may tend to supply low Watt instead of high power from 250 to 290 Watt. The battery replacement will allow it to charge to its full capacity in one hour.
- No more Plugging & Unplugging
No matter how calm a person is, plugging and unplugging cables more often leads to restlessness. Save your time and relax your body by opting for a vacuum cleaner battery.
Conclusion
Battery-powered vacuums are one of the best choices to go for cleaning purposes at home or even at large companies or institutions. Once you find that your batteries are completely discharged and are no longer performing then it’s time to get them replaced with the new ones. The right treatment and knowledge will give maximum benefits including high performance and maximum battery life.
