Tuesday, August 31, 2010

18 Days till Race Season!!!

With only 18 days left before the beginning of the Lake Havasu Race season Interstate is getting ready. We are in the final stages of getting our “Team Interstate” shirts out to our racers and logo’s for our cars. We are very excited about going out and supporting the drivers and making sure we have fun with it as well. We spent some time at Get it in Gear talking with the owner about his preparations for the race. While we were there another driver dropped by to talk about the upcoming season.


This should be a good year at the race track and Interstate is proud to be a part of this. We know that it provides enjoyment for the community as well as is a great place to showcase what our batteies are capable of doing. With a higher compression engine it will require more Cold Cranking Amps (CCA’s) and Interstate Batteries is up to the test. Most of the cars we are sponsoring are running Optima batteries (one of our lines) to ensure they will get the power required to go when they say “Gentlemen start your engines!”

We are looking forward to our team “Team Interstate” doing well and providing our community with LOADS of enjoyment this 2010 / 2011 season!

Havasu 95 Speedway Web Page:
http://www.havasu95speedway.com/

Race Schedule:
http://www.havasu95speedway.com/files/Download/2010-2011%20season%20schedule.pdf

Interstate Batteries Web Page:
http://www.ibslhc.com/

Interstate Batteries is the #1 Replacement battery in the country. We have automotive (New/Blemished/Used), Truck, RV, Marine, Commercial, Golf Cart, Motorcycle, Gel, Wheelchair, UPS, and more! Typically we have the battery available in stock. They come with a NATIONAL WARRANTY with dealers in every county in the United States.

We have a professional staff that can assist you with any of your battery needs, including installation (yes RV’s are included)!!! We take pride in our work and want to make sure we serve the Lake Havasu community properly. Feel free to drop by even if you only have questions! We look forward to working with you!

928-453-7511

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu
2000 W. Acoma Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-453-7511
http://www.ibslhc.com/

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Marine Batteries

Here is an article from boats.com featuring Interstate Batteries. Great advice in getting the most out of your marine batteries especially since we play in the water here often. Make sure your batteries are up to the task before you are on the ramp. This quick check will make it a much smoother trip. Remember you can get free battery tests at Interstate Batteries and most of the authorized Interstate Battery Dealers.

Find a Dealer Near YOU CLICK HERE

Neglect your boat’s battery, and your next fishing trip could end right at the launch ramp.

Issues related to the electrical system of the boat now rank right behind bad fuel as the most-common reason a modern outboard won’t start, according to service experts, and it all starts at the battery.



A marine deep-cycle battery can also be used as a starting battery if it meets the cold cranking amps specification of the outboard motor.

“Poor battery installation, from loose connections at the posts to poor grounds and over-extended battery cables, are the issues I see most-frequently,” says David Greenwood, Suzuki Marine application manager. “Boat owners need to regularly inspect the battery and all key connections, and make sure their motor is rigged to factory specifications.”

Begin by making sure your boat has the right battery – a marine battery. Marine batteries come in two types. A marine starting battery is intended to start the engine and to power accessories such as lights, electronics, livewell pumps and aerators, and the radio. A marine deep-cycle battery is designed to power trolling motors and can withstand frequent deep discharges.

An automobile starting battery might work to get your motor running, but it’s a poor substitute for a marine cranking battery, according to Gale Kimbrough, technical services manager at Interstate Batteries.

“All batteries are designed for a specific application,” Kimbrough says. “A marine starting battery has thicker plates and more robust internal construction than an automobile battery so that it can withstand the vibration and pounding of the marine environment and take a much deeper discharge.”

Both an automobile and a marine starting battery will deliver the spike of power required to operate a starter motor. But in a boat, that battery also often powers accessories like aerators and fish locators when the engine, and thus the charging system, are turned off. Frequent deep discharge activity will greatly shorten the life of an automobile battery. Because it has thicker plates, the marine battery can take the discharge and bounce back.

In this regard, the marine starting battery is sort of a hybrid of a standard starting battery and a deep-cycle battery. The deep-cycle battery has even larger, thicker plates than a starting battery and is designed to be used down to 25 percent of its complete charge (75 percent state of charge), and then recharged, over and over again. Like the marine starting battery, a marine deep-cycle battery is built to survive the pounding it may take when mounted below the bow of a bass boat, for example.



While its case looks about the same as an automotive battery, a marine cranking battery is more robust internally and will withstand a marine duty cycle that may include deeper discharge.

Larger fishing boats often carry two starting batteries, one dedicated to starting the engine, and the other to running accessories, often called the “house” battery. An isolator in the charging system then sends charging power from the engine alternator or an on-board battery charger to the battery most discharged. Properly rigged, a dual-battery system should keep accessories from draining the starting battery, which could leave the boat stranded.

While Kimbrough says that today’s marine batteries are virtually maintenance-free, it does pay to give your batteries a little attention during the season.

“You want to keep the top of the battery clean,” says Kimbrough. “An accumulation of dirt and vented battery electrolyte can allow a very low level of current to flow between the positive and negative posts, resulting in quicker discharge and corrosion on the posts. You can clean the battery top with a soda wash, a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and water in a spray bottle. The soda neutralizes the acid. Spray it on, rinse, and then wipe the battery dry. There are also commercial cleaners available.”

Batteries should always be stored with a full charge, whether it’s for the off-season or just for a few weeks of inactivity.

“If the battery sits in a discharged state, sulfation will form on the plates, and it may never be able to regain a full charge again,” says Kimbrough. “If you have power available, one of the chargers with an electronic automatic shut-off circuit will maintain a full charge without over-charging the batteries during long-term storage.”

Batteries in long-term storage can be drawn down by the “parasitic” draw of electronic accessories, which often require a small current flow to maintain an internal memory.

“An electronic device that draws just 50 milliamps will draw 1.2 amp hours in a day, and 24 ampere hours in 20 days,” said Kimbrough. “That’s 24 percent of the charge of a 100 amp hour battery.”

A battery switch can be used to cut off current flow from the starting battery during storage, protecting it from parasitic drain.

Finally, you want to make sure the battery is securely mounted in the boat and rigged correctly to the motor. The best battery mount, according to Greenwood, is the type of tray that locks the battery with top bracket secured with a pair of stout bolts.



A bolt-down tray like this one from Moeller Marine is the best way to keep a boat battery secured in the roughest seas.

“Too often I see these flimsy plastic battery boxes, or even just a nylon strap that threads through a pair of small plastic brackets, attached to the boat with just a couple of small screws,” says Greenwood. “You want that base screwed or bolted to solid structure in the boat, and the battery held down with more than a strap.”

Greenwood also sees trouble when too many cables are secured to the positive battery post with a wing nut – he suggests replacing the wing nut with a Nyloc lock-nut that won’t come loose and cause a bad connection.

Finally, make sure the battery cables are as specified by the engine manufacturer.

“I often see battery leads that are too long when a boat builder tries to place the batteries forward in the boat, such as within a center console,” says Greenwood. “There may be a poor splice to the cables that come with the outboard motor. Sometimes the ends are just bent together and wrapped with tape, and they can come loose or get corroded. If the battery cables are going to make a long run, they need to be the correct gauge so excessive resistance does not cause a voltage drop.”

Correct installation and a little maintenance will keep marine batteries performing at peak power, ready to start your motor at the turn of a key.


Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu

2000 W. Acoma Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-453-7511
http://www.ibslhc.com


(Across from the College, next to Michael Allen Furniture)

Need a map of our location click here! - GOOGLE MAPS

Interstate Batteries is the #1 Replacement battery in the country. We have automotive (New/Blemished/Used), Truck, RV, Marine, Commercial, Golf Cart, Motorcycle, Gel, Wheelchair, UPS, and more! Typically we have the battery available in stock. They come with a NATIONAL WARRANTY with dealers in every county in the United States.

We have a professional staff that can assist you with any of your battery needs, including installation (yes RV’s are included)!!! We take pride in our work and want to make sure we serve the Lake Havasu community properly. Feel free to drop by even if you only have questions! We look forward to working with you!

928-453-7511

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Heat Kills Batteries

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu wants to help where it can. Battery maintenance will go a long way in preventing an inconvenient breakdown in the desert.


Did you know that more automobile batteries fail in Summer than in Winter? Summer heat is actually harder on a battery than winter cold. With record heat sweeping across the country, Interstate Batteries encourages motorists to protect and care for that part of the vehicle a driver depends on the most every day.

"The corrosion factor within a battery is accelerated by extreme temperatures, especially heat," said Interstate Batteries Technical Service Manager Gale Kimbrough. "Battery Temperatures under the hood of a car can reach 175 to 200 degrees in extreme heat conditions. This is why it is very important for motorists to take the necessary precautions of having their vehicle battery checked on a regular basis."

Interstate Batteries has some helpful guidelines to follow when caring for your automobile battery:

1. When working with your battery, always wear protective eyewear, remove all jewelry and wear long sleeves to protect your arms from an explosion of battery acid.
2. Do a visual inspection to see if the battery case is showing signs of extreme bulging, cracked or leaking. If it is, it’s time to replace it.
3. Clean up the connections by removing any corrosion, lead oxidation, paint or rust from the top of the battery with a scouring pad or brass brush. Be sure to brush the corrosion away from you.
4. If your battery has removable filler caps, open the caps and check the water level in each cell.
5. Make sure the plates are at least half covered. This prevents sulfation and reduces the possibility of an internal battery explosion.
6. If the water level is low, add distilled water (avoid tap water) until the plates are covered.
7. Avoid overfilling, especially in hot weather, because the heat can cause the solution inside to expand and overflow.
8. Have your battery and electrical system professionally tested every three to six months and especially prior to heading out on a trip.

Interstate Batteries is the #1 Replacement battery in the country. We have automotive (New/Blemished/Used), Truck, RV, Marine, Commercial, Golf Cart, Motorcycle, Gel, Wheelchair, UPS, and more! Typically we have the battery available in stock. They come with a NATIONAL WARRANTY with dealers in every county in the United States.


We have a professional staff that can assist you with any of your battery needs, including installation (yes RV’s are included)!!! We take pride in our work and want to make sure we serve the Lake Havasu community properly. Feel free to drop by even if you only have questions! We look forward to working with you!

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu
2000 W. Acoma Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-453-7511
http://www.ibslhc.com/

Friday, August 20, 2010

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu Sponsors "Havasu Island Balloon Festival & Fair"

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu is proud to support the Havasu Island Balloon Festival and Fair January 21 - January 23, 2011. We feel that the community will truly benefit from organizations such as The Lake Havasu City London Bridge Lions Club and the London Bridge Rotary Club spearheading such a large event.

This three day event has activities for all ages and looks as if it is going to be a great time. Some of the daily attractions include Carnival Rides, Food Booths, Vendor Row, Walk-in Balloon (Rag Bag), Event Souvenirs, Tethered Balloon Rides, Antique & Classic Cars, Children's Balloon Workshop Opens, Powered Paragliders, Art Village - Live Artist Exhibitions and much more!

We are excited about going to the event and being apart of this great cause. While we are there you can look forward to us taking photos and putting them up on our blog. We always enjoy meeting new people and hearing the wonderful stories we all have to tell. If you see us there please stop us if we don’t stop you and lets get to know each other.

As stated on their web “The results will help fulfill our mutual goals in making a difference in the lives of so many here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.” Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu wants to assist with these noteworthy organizations. They give our community so much that it is a true honor to be associated with The Lake Havasu City London Bridge Lions Club and the London Bridge Rotary Club in this effort to raise money for the below organizations.

• Adopt-A-Family
• Adopt-A-School
• Alzheimer’s/Dementia Connection of Havasu
• Arizona Children
• Camp Tatiyee for the Physically and Mentally Challenged
• Church Soup Kitchen Program
• Concert Association’s Outreach Program
• Eye Glasses for the Needy
• Group Study Exchange (GSE)
• Guide Dog Programs
• Havasu Community Health Foundation
• Havasu for Youth, Project Graduation
• Hearing Aids
• High School Music Departments
• Interact Club
• KinderSwim
• Lions Dog Park
• London Bridge Days Parade
• London Bridge Lions Scholarships
• London Bridge Rotary & Turner Scholarships
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
• Senior Pageant Committee
• Vision and Dental Assistance Program
• Visually Impaired Support Group
• Western Humane Society
• Wheel Chair Foundation
• Youth Exchange Program

Event Web Page:
http://havasuballoonfest.homestead.com/

Event Schedule:
http://havasuballoonfest.homestead.com/schedule-tentative.html

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu Web Page:
http://www.ibslhc.com/

Follow Interstate on our Blog:
http://interstatebatteriesoflakehavasu.blogspot.com/

Interstate Batteries is the #1 Replacement battery in the country. We have automotive (New/Blemished/Used), Truck, RV, Marine, Commercial, Golf Cart, Motorcycle, Gel, Wheelchair, UPS, and more! Typically we have the battery available in stock. They come with a NATIONAL WARRANTY with dealers in every county in the United States.

We have a professional staff that can assist you with any of your battery needs, including installation (yes RV’s are included)!!! We take pride in our work and want to make sure we serve the Lake Havasu community properly. Feel free to drop by even if you only have questions! We look forward to working with you!
928-453-7511



Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu
2000 W. Acoma Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-453-7511
http://www.ibslhc.com/

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Interstate Sponsors Local Race Cars

Interstate Batteries is sponsoring local Lake Havasu Race Cars! My wife and I went to the races at the Havasu 95 Speedway at the end of the 2009 / 2010 season. It was so much fun we wanted to be more involved. We reached out to a few of the drivers and were fortunate enough to find some that were looking for sponsors. We are going to be headlining on 8+ of the cars.


So why do we want to sponsor race cars? Interstate Batteries has had a very long history of sponsoring NASCAR and found it was a great way to reach out to our customers. We think that this will be similar in our own community. (Ok the sales pitch is done now).

The other side is Interstate Batteries wants to give back to the local community. There are so many different ways to do this but why not go with something that just makes sense given our companies history. After talking with the drivers and getting a better understanding of the actual costs involved with driving a car we quickly realized that even with several great sponsors they still carry the majority of the financial load. They work hard all year mostly for our enjoyment so why not give back to the folks working in our community who bring us this great sport.

So who are we sponsoring?

Car Driver
2      Scott
6      Chris
6      Flor
7      Joes
12    William
13    Mark
22    Bob
30    John
95    Jason
95    Ryan
95    Bill

You may have noticed we are sponsoring the powder puff gang as well. Some of the gals that drive are so good they play in the big league with the boys as well. That’s right we are sponsoring the local women as well. My wife and I are huge supporters of women in sports as well and wanted to make sure they get help too!

We are looking forward to our team (Team Interstate) doing well and providing our community with LOADS of enjoyment this 2010 / 2011 season!

Havasu 95 Speedway Web Page:
http://www.havasu95speedway.com/

Race Schedule:
http://www.havasu95speedway.com/files/Download/2010-2011%20season%20schedule.pdf

Interstate Batteries Web Page:
http://www.ibslhc.com/


Interstate Batteries is the #1 Replacement battery in the country. We have automotive (New/Blemished/Used), Truck, RV, Marine, Commercial, Golf Cart, Motorcycle, Gel, Wheelchair, UPS, and more! Typically we have the battery available in stock. They come with a NATIONAL WARRANTY with dealers in every county in the United States.

We have a professional staff that can assist you with any of your battery needs, including installation (yes RV’s are included)!!! We take pride in our work and want to make sure we serve the Lake Havasu community properly. Feel free to drop by even if you only have questions! We look forward to working with you!

928-453-7511

Interstate Batteries of Lake Havasu
2000 W. Acoma Blvd.
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
928-453-7511
http://www.ibslhc.com/