Rechargeable
Battery TIPS:

• Charge your new battery before using it

• Remove your battery from the device when in storage

• You should get 500 to 800 charge/discharge cycles from a rechargeable battery (about 1 to 3 years on average)

• If storing a rechargeable battery for more than 30 days, charge it periodicaly

• Never attempt to charge a non-rechargeable battery

• Uplug your laptop periodically to exercise your battery

• Turn off your cell phone apps when not in use

• Close your camcorder LCD screen if you don't need it

• Avoid temperature extremes when using batteries

Non-Rechargeable
Battery Chemistries:

• Alkaline
• Lithium Manganese Dioxide
• Silver Oxide
• Lithium Thionyl Chloride

Battery Lingo:

• mAh - milli-ampere-hour, or battery capacity - the higher the number the longer the run time, higher is better

• Series connection - positive of one battery to negative of another to increase voltage

• Parallel connection - positive to positive and negative to negative to increase capacity

• Battery Memory - reduction of capacity due to shallow charge/discharge cycles

Rechargeable Battery Chemistries

• Lithium Ion - Li-Ion
• Lithium Polymer - LiPo
• Sealed Lead Acid - SLA
• Nickel Metal Hydride - NiMH
• Nickel Cadmium - NiCd
• AGM - Absorbed Glass Mat

Alarm System Battery Tips:

Most alarm system batteries are sealed lead acid (or AGM, same thing). As long as you match the voltage, dimensions and terminal type of your battery, you should be fine. The Ah rating can be lower or higher - the higher the number, the longer the run time when the power goes out. You may need to reset your system once the new battery is installed. Alarm batteries are shipped at 80% charge or higher and are ready to be installed.