Start a Battery Reconditioning Business


This little known industry has good business potential. It has grown in popularity because of the need for cost effective ways to maintain batteries. This invariably cuts down on cost of buying a new one and offers eco-friendly solution.
The reconditioning business is lucrative with potential for growth. Increase in awareness is because of new technologies for the service provider. The job is practicable full time or part time alongside your regular work.
You also have the flexibility to work from home or a shop environment. The job is hands on and dirty because you handle old batteries and chemicals. To start the business you need to learn the trade, secure operational license and supplies.
battery charging
How does it Work
There are two ways to bring a battery back to life. You can rebuild or recondition. To rebuild you need to remove or change some components especially the cells.
People that recondition only needs to test the battery for signs of life. If a sign of life is established they introduce a chemical mix that dissolves lead plates and acid crystals.
Once the additives carry out their function it is ready for recharging. The technician puts it through a rigorous load test to ascertain if it works properly. The whole point of the exercise is to rejuvenate and elongate the lifespan.
Learn the Trade
It is important you learn the trade. You need to develop the basic skills on how to recondition batteries. Other lessons involve measuring the charge capacity, rejuvenation techniques, type of chemicals used in the process. You need an in-depth knowledge of the working of cells.
Learn through a technical institution, trade workshop or seminar. You can become an apprentice or gain on the job experience. Other ways are taking online course, reading tutorials or books. Look for practical demonstrations on YouTube and other streaming sites.
Ways to Learn Battery Reconditioning
  • technical institution
  • trade workshop
  • seminar
  • apprentice
  • job experience
  • online course
  • reading tutorials
  • books
  • look for practical demonstrations
scrap batteries
Write a Business Plan
Write a battery reconditioning business plan and carry out a feasibility study. The plan should analyze the market, growth potential, objectives, risks and benefits. It should cover every aspect of the business from supplies, marketing, funding. Include services you want to provide, fixed and working capital.
Funding
The startup requirements vary according to business templates. A franchise arrangement can set you back $12,000. To start from scratch it could cost from $1000 to $10,000.
Approach a small loans bank for long tern low interest loans. You need to have at least 1/3 of the amount you request in your bank account. Other requirements are your business plan, collateral and guarantors.
License
Get a business name and register as an enterprise. There is health and safety issues include waste chemical provisions.
This is because some of the chemicals used in the process are toxic, harmful and dangerous. You need liability insurance cover, tax identification number. Find out all the legalities in your state.
Location
The best location is close to a mechanic workshop or auto dealership. Find a shop in a commercial area with moderate parking space. You need a store front and a workshop at the back. One of the most important aspects is electricity to charge the batteries.
You might also consider having a powerful generating set as standby power. If you intend working from home you need you provide a secure space to protect your family. The space should be a distance from the residency like a built shed or barn.
Equipment
The job requires specialized equipment like load testers, hydrometers. Others are battery additives, drills, chargers. You need electronic battery analyzers and connection cables.
  • load testers
  • hydrometers
  • battery additives
  • drills
  • chargers
  • electronic battery analyzers
  • connection cables
Supplies
There are companies that offer a complete supply or starter pack. Find them through yellow pages, directories and online resources. There are also franchise opportunities in some countries. However leveraging on a franchise is very expensive than starting from scratch.
Marketing
To make profit you need to sell your products. Use signage boards, flyers and posters. Use electronic media like television and radio. Build a website and add products, prices, location and phone number.
Drive traffic to your website through Facebook adverts, Google Adwords. You could build a social media presence and target a particular geographical location.


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