Powersports vehicles, such as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, Personal Watercraft (PWC) and snowmobiles, provide owners with outdoor recreational fun year-round as well as first responders reliable off-road access for search and rescue operations. They are designed to perform in dirt, mud, water or snow, and are therefore often exposed to harsh weather and driving conditions. A report that ResearchAndMarkets.com released in August estimates that the global...

During the winter season, commercial and municipal fleets help keep business and civic operations going, even in snow, ice and extreme cold. In some cases, when fleets are used for snow and ice removal, towing and first response, their operation in winter weather becomes particularly critical. It’s important that fleets are reliable and ready to perform at a moment’s notice. One of the components that requires...

Ride-hailing services are rides arranged in advance instead of being summoned from the street like taxis. Among these services is e-hailing, which enables people to arrange for a driver and vehicle through a smartphone app. This innovative software allows the rider to not only find and contact an available driver, but also get the cost of the ride and an arrival time, track the driver’s...

Perhaps you have heard the misconception that you should never store a battery directly on concrete to avoid damaging it. You were more than likely told to first place a piece of scrap wood or cardboard underneath the battery. Maybe you heard this from your father, a friend, a mentor or even a trusted mechanic. Maybe you wondered if it was true, or you simply...

When a natural disaster strikes, officials must coordinate the deployment of search and rescue operations, which often includes the use of powersports vehicles to maneuver through a variety of unpredictable terrains. The response to Hurricane Ian provides many recent examples. For instance, The Fort Meyers News-Press reported on a 95-year-old woman being rescued from her home by a firefighter in a two-seat buggy.  Most powersports vehicles,...

When it’s time to replace the battery in your automobile, how do you choose? While the primary purpose of your car’s battery is to supply voltage to the starter, it also provides power for the other electrical needs, such as headlights, windshield wipers, radio and other accessories. Choosing wisely can provide you with longer battery life and better battery performance mile after mile. A simple guiding principle...

Farming presents its own unique and considerable share of challenges and uncertainties—the weather and climate change, fuel and equipment costs, as well as price fluctuations for agricultural products in the marketplace—just to name a few. With so many factors beyond control, its essential to stay ahead of issues that can be avoided. This is especially true when it comes to choosing the right battery to reliably...

It takes a lot of power to crank a big block engine dependably in a vehicle that weighs more than 5 tons and can generate 1500 horsepower. For this type of demand, not just any battery will do. With all that weight and horsepower, monster trucks are subject to insane gravitational forces as they race, perform stunts or crush cars. Rugged, powerful, long-lasting batteries are...

Launched in 2004, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is managed and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Ready Campaign. The observance occurs each September to promote preparedness for disasters and emergencies at home and in the community. Among recommendations related to NPM is that passenger cars and trucks always have a half tank of gas in case evacuation is...

When cooler weather arrives, you’re likely to decommission your vessel for storage until the warmer weather returns. Preparation of your boat, or decommissioning, is necessary to minimize damage while in storage. Motorboats require preparing the engine and its components, including the battery, for storage or any extended period of non-use. The following are recommendations for the proper storage of batteries. As always, be sure to...

As the seasons change, and fall sporting and outdoor events get closer, perhaps your thoughts turn to tailgating with your Recreational Vehicle (RV), equipped with all the amenities and accessories you need for another fantastic day of fun in the crisp autumn air. Don’t let it slip away by choosing the wrong battery to power your RV. Deep cycle batteries are essential for providing dependable power...

Today’s heavy-duty trucks are more advanced than ever before, with more technology enhancements added in the last decade than in the past 50 years. While technology has improved the operating experience, it has also increased the need for more power and energy storage than ever before. A plethora of safety, comfort, vehicle connectivity and infotainment features have increased the drain on the battery, requiring additional...