Ready, Set, Charge!
CAA Battery Depot has the accessories you need to keep charged.
By Tom Stafford
Chargers and maintainers can keep your batteries in tip-top shape. | VIDEO: DABARTI/ENVATO
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR a way to charge a battery, CAA Battery Depot in Regina has the answer. They’ve earned a reputation for professional service and have a tremendous inventory of batteries and accessories to address all your needs, from recreational vehicles and heavy machinery to watches and small appliances.
Accessories for maintaining your vehicle’s battery health vary greatly, depending on your batteries and how you use them. There are several types of chargers capable of charging vehicle batteries and those more powerful batteries found in farm equipment or large machinery. Batteries for vehicles, ATVs and mowers are typically 12 volts, while some recreational equipment batteries are six volts. Many chargers deliver amps at variable rates. (This is the amount of current, and generally, more amps means a faster charge.) If in doubt, ask the fine folks at Battery Depot to help you pick the right charger. Some of the most popular brands are Century, Noco Genius, Battery Charger Canada and Battery Tender.
“Accessories for maintaining your vehicle’s battery health vary greatly, depending on your batteries and how you use them.”
Automatic bench chargers Automatic chargers are easy to use and good for general charging needs. Charge rates are usually two to 12 amps (the more amps, the more current delivered and the faster the charge) with a 75-amp boost option for both six- and 12-volt batteries. They typically shut off or power down when a battery is fully charged. Priced at only $99.95.
Manual bench chargers Manual chargers do not fully shut off on their own once a battery is charged. They need to be manually shut off or disconnected, and so they require attention to ensure you do not overcharge your battery. (Pro tip: either unplug the charger or turn it off before disconnecting from the battery terminals.) They range from six to 12 volts, with two- to 10-amp current ratings. Other options include ones with two-, six- or 12-amp rates, with a 55-amp (or higher) boost for dead battery situations. Prices range from $215.95 to $260.
Stand-up manual chargers These powerful chargers can handle heavy equipment batteries and offer six-volt and 12-volt charging. Boost options typically go to 200 amps for 12-volt batteries and 130 amps for six-volt batteries. Amp ratings are generally two and 40 amps for 12-volt batteries and 40 amps for six-volt batteries. Prices range from $724.95 to $925.95.
Battery maintainers These act like automatic chargers, but can be mounted under the hood and plugged in as needed. These work well for people with seasonal equipment, such as quads, motorcycles, motor homes, watercraft or snowmobiles. They also help maintain battery health when your vehicle is dormant if you are away for an extended period. Prices range from $55.95 to $65.95.
“CAA Battery Depot can help you find a battery for just about anything (except laptops and mobile phones). They can also install batteries in electronic devices such as watches and hearing aids.”
Vehicle and recreational batteries “We have most batteries for all the different needs in life,” says Battery Depot’s Steven Millar, “both conventional flooded and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries.” These include automotive batteries and truck batteries, as well as batteries for powersport devices and ATVs, with prices ranging from $52.95 to $230.95. Battery Depot also stocks deep cycle batteries for RVs, golf carts and motor homes, ranging from $135.95 to $170.95.
Electronics batteries Battery Depot stocks every coin cell battery from CR1025 to CR2477. These batteries power a multitude of watches, key fobs, command start remotes, garage door opener remotes, Apple Air tags and the like. They sell for $6.95 each. Zinc-air style hearing aid batteries — in sizes 13, 675, 312 and 10 — sell for $13.95 to $15.95.
“We have almost every watch cell available,” Millar says, and will install these for $2. (They do not stock rechargeable watch cells.) Cordless phone batteries range from $14.95 to $19.95, depending on voltage and number of cells. “If we don’t have a particular battery, we can always rebuild the customer’s current battery,” Millar says.
From high-powered vehicle batteries to tiny watch batteries, Battery Depot has them all. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAA BATTERY DEPOT