Battery life: do manufacturer and customer use the same language?

To close the gap of misunderstandings in terms of life and endurance definitions and expectations, a common data basis was worked out: Investigations of more than 2000 cells running in applications over the announced service life of more than 15 years. Investigation was carried out with stationary range OPzV/A600 in Gel-Technology produced 1982 to 1987 and investigated in the years 2003/2004. The result shows that all batteries have still more than 80% and a mean value of 97% of capacity, which was confirmed by the lab data. The lab test with float at room temperature and 40°C leads to service life of more than 16 years. Therefore no gap between the lab and field data could be observed in this case.