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Maintenance & Care

Battery Maintenance & Care Guide

Maximize Lifespan and Performance of Your Medical Infusion Pump Batteries

Monthly Maintenance Checklist

Visual Inspection
  • Check for swelling, cracks, or leaks
  • Inspect terminals for corrosion
  • Look for discoloration or damage
  • Verify battery compartment is clean and dry
Performance Testing
  • Run pump's built-in battery diagnostic
  • Document runtime on full charge
  • Check charging time (should match specs)
  • Verify battery gauge accuracy
Cleaning
  • Wipe battery contacts with alcohol swab
  • Clean battery compartment with dry cloth
  • Remove dust and debris from charging contacts
  • Ensure proper ventilation around charging area
Documentation
  • Record test results in biomedical log
  • Note any performance degradation
  • Track battery age and cycle count
  • Flag batteries approaching replacement threshold

Charging Best Practices

DO
  • Fully charge new batteries before first use (12-16 hours)
  • Charge batteries at room temperature (68-77°F)
  • Use manufacturer-approved chargers only
  • Allow batteries to cool before charging after heavy use
  • Charge batteries to 100% regularly (weekly minimum)
  • Store spare batteries at 40-60% charge
DON'T
  • Leave batteries on charger for weeks continuously
  • Charge in extreme temperatures (below 50°F or above 95°F)
  • Use damaged or third-party chargers
  • Charge immediately after heavy use (let cool 15-30 min)
  • Allow batteries to sit fully discharged for extended periods
  • Store batteries fully charged for long periods

Storage Guidelines

Short-Term Storage (1-3 months)
  • Charge to 40-60% before storage
  • Store at room temperature (68-77°F)
  • Check and recharge monthly
  • Keep in dry, ventilated area
Long-Term Storage (3+ months)
  • Charge to 50% before storage
  • Store at cool temperature (50-68°F)
  • Recharge every 2-3 months
  • Perform full charge/discharge cycle before returning to service
Storage by Battery Type
SLA

Sealed Lead Acid (Hospira Plum)

Most sensitive to storage, recharge monthly

NiMH

NiMH (Alaris 8015, Medfusion 3500)

Moderate self-discharge, recharge every 2 months

Li-ion

Li-ion (Baxter, Medfusion 4000)

Lowest self-discharge, recharge every 3 months

Temperature Management

Optimal Operating Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C)

Cold Effects (<60°F)
  • Reduced capacity (10-30% loss)
  • Slower charging
  • Increased internal resistance
  • Temporary performance loss (recovers when warmed)
Hot Effects (>85°F)
  • Accelerated aging
  • Increased self-discharge
  • Risk of thermal runaway (Li-ion)
  • Permanent capacity loss

Common Mistakes That Shorten Battery Life

1Deep Discharging Repeatedly

Problem: Discharging below 20% damages battery chemistry

Solution: Recharge when battery reaches 30-40%

Impact: Can reduce lifespan by 50%

2Leaving Batteries Discharged

Problem: Sulfation (SLA) or voltage depression (NiMH)

Solution: Charge within 24 hours of discharge

Impact: Can permanently reduce capacity by 20-40%

3Overcharging

Problem: Heat buildup and electrolyte breakdown

Solution: Remove from charger when full (or use smart chargers)

Impact: Reduces lifespan by 30%

4Extreme Temperature Exposure

Problem: Accelerated chemical degradation

Solution: Store and operate at room temperature

Impact: Can halve battery lifespan

5Skipping Conditioning Cycles

Problem: Battery gauge inaccuracy and capacity loss

Solution: Condition quarterly (SLA) or semi-annually (NiMH/Li-ion)

Impact: 10-20% capacity loss over time

Maximizing Battery Lifespan

Expected Lifespan by Type
Sealed Lead Acid:2-3 years (300-400 cycles)
NiMH:3-4 years (500+ cycles)
Li-ion:3-5 years (500-800 cycles)
Hospira Plum (SLA)
  • Never discharge below 20%
  • Recharge immediately after use
  • Condition monthly
  • Store at 50% charge if not in use

Potential lifespan: 3+ years

Alaris 8015 (NiMH)
  • Avoid leaving on charger continuously
  • Condition every 6 months
  • Store at 40% charge
  • Avoid extreme temperatures

Potential lifespan: 4+ years

Baxter/Medfusion (Li-ion)
  • Keep charge between 20-80% when possible
  • Avoid heat exposure
  • Condition annually
  • Store at 50% charge

Potential lifespan: 5+ years

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