As Andreas Bawart, the Banner Commercial CEO, explains, “The new PB12 and PB12/24 Power Boosters combine optimum performance with proven technology and offer improved and new functions in Banner design.” With these additions to its booster range, which are immediately available, Austria’s largest battery manufacturer has launched new devices onto the market that employ a high-performance absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery and are suitable for any type of vehicle.

Buffalo power that is tangible in seconds

For many years, Banner has been supplying professional chargers, testing devices and boosters based on its precise knowledge of the demands and needs of starter batteries, which emanates from its manufacturing experience. This extensive range has now been supplemented with the PB12 und PB12/24 Power Boosters, which assist starting in extreme temperatures and beef up vehicles with buffalo power in seconds.  

A full range of features

A12 Volt DC output facilitates battery charging from external sources, while an additional 2.1. A USB outlet can accommodate tablets smartphones and much more besides. The solid housing is suitable for demanding outdoor use and reverse polarity protection with an acoustic warning guarantees simple and safe handling. An on/off switch prevents both short circuits in the terminals and battery discharge, while an LED light on the tip of the negative, curved terminal makes working in the dark easier. In addition, a robust, flexible and long cable also serves to make things simpler. A large LCD display shows test functions such as the voltage of the vehicle and booster batteries in both volts and percentages.

>> to the new Power Boosters

For further information

see press release

PDF The new Banner PB12 and PB12/24 boosters

Tip 1: Installation

Conventional wet batteries should, if possible, be installed in the boat along the longitudinal axis - this ensures greater leakage protection in extreme inclined positions.

Tip 2: Degassing

We prescribe the use of a degassing hose for all lead-acid batteries, which are installed in the interior/passenger compartment, mandatory. Some boat batteries are provided with a hose with attached elbow, for the discharge of the battery gases. If this applies to a boat, the hose must be inserted into the corresponding degassing opening of the battery via the elbow. If there is a degassing opening on the other side, it must be closed with a plug!

Tip 3: Charging

Ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged.

The next two points apply to conventional wet batteries.

- Before charging, check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, fill up desalinated or distilled water to the maximum acid level or 15 mm above the upper edge of the plate.

- The screw connections of the battery must not remain open during charging, it is best to close them again.

Attention: AGM batteries must not be opened! Refilling with distilled water is not possible or necessary.

- Observe the charging characteristics.

- Charging current should be 10% of the capacity.

- Charging voltage (at +25° C): AGM 14.40V - 14.80V constant voltage; conventional 14.4V - max. 16V

- Charging time approx. 12 - 24 hours

For AGM- and GEL-batteries please use a voltage regulated charger e.g. Banner Acchucharger (max. 14,80V)!

Fully automatic chargers with charging voltage limitation up to 14.8V are ideal for use with boat batteries. Depending on the capacity of the battery used, we recommend the following chargers:

- Batteries up to 72 Ah - Banner Accucharger 12V 3A

- Batteries up to 130 Ah - Banner Accucharger 12V 6A Recovery

- Batteries up to 230 Ah - Banner Accucharger 12V 10A Recovery

If your charger has an automatic mode with voltages >14.8V, the battery must be disconnected from the on-board electronics or removed from the boat. Please also observe the operating instructions of the boat manufacturer.

Tip 4: Wintering

If the battery remains installed during unused periods, you should disconnect at least one connecting cable (minus). The battery should always be kept charged, especially before and during the winter. Check the open-circuit voltage at regular intervals. Our battery tester BBT Digital Voltmeter DV1 is suitable for this purpose.

Recharge at 12.50V at the latest!

Tip 5: Storing

Store boat batteries in a cool (0° to 25° C) and dry place. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Ensure that the battery surface and terminals are clean.

If you follow these tips, a successful boating season is guaranteed!

High air temperatures cause the water in a conventional wet battery to evaporate to such an extent that the battery plates are literally dry. The battery becomes weak and fragile.

Banner professional tip:

Make a battery check, on every vehicle, in the workshop run!

Control for longer life.
A battery supplies energy permanently when its optimum state is maintained. With the banner test and inspection devices you can test charge conditions, voltage, the status of the battery acid and much more. This way you know immediately if and which measures are necessary to maintain full battery power.

Regularly check the electrolyte level in wet batteries and, if necessary, top up demineralised or distilled water to the maximum acid level or 15 mm above the upper edge of the plate.

There is no need to top up water on Banner's absolutely maintenance-free wet starter batteries (applies to Starting Bull, Power Bull/PRO and Running Bull EFB). Under normal operating conditions, no water needs to be refilled for the entire battery life of the Bull product variants mentioned above.

In case of high water loss, the controller voltage should be checked by a specialist. Never top up acid!

Please note with Running Bull AGM batteries:

The screw connections of the AGM batteries must not be opened! An acid density measurement or refilling of distilled water is not possible or not necessary!

Battery check with Banner test and checking equipment

Make important routine checks for optimal performance and longer battery life of any car battery, e.g. with a Banner DBA Tester.

In the new issue of our customer magazine "Büffelpost" you will find exciting articles about the following topics:

- FIT FOR THE FUTURE
Start-stop batteries are forging ahead

- QUALITY DRIVE
Banner looks to shift up a gear

- FLEXIBILITY

Punctual delivery despite brexit & Co.

Read the customer magazine online now!

The requirements for starter batteries are strongly dependent on the climatic conditions and the additional electrical/electronic equipment. Today, most new vehicles are also equipped with a start-stop system that switches off the engine when the vehicle is stopped in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Conventional starter batteries can no longer fulfil this challenging task, which is why the use of special start-stop batteries with AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology is required.

Cheap batteries are therefore often the more expensive solution, as they can lead to starting problems in summer and winter.

There is a good reason why Banner quality batteries have established themselves worldwide!

They combine the highest starting power, further increased cold start characteristics, optimised current consumption capacity and thus improved chargeability as well as a long service life.

Banner Tip: Use the next largest battery for your car, for which there is usually enough space. Because these are additional power reserves for your vehicle! The price difference is usually extremely small and the alternator of your vehicle is designed for it!

In our online battery search you will find information about upgrading options for your vehicle.

The recognised test centre VdS (Verein der deutschen Sachversicherer) tested our maintenance-free lead batteries GiV 12 - 7.2 for use in emergency alarm systems. We were able to achieve a very good result especially in the area of performance.

Here you can find the test result in detail! (Certificate in German)

• Record sales revenues of EUR 307 million
• Increase in sales turnover of 200,000 units over the previous year
• Investments of over EUR 40 million in the Leonding location since 2015
• Start-stop batteries make a decisive contribution to environment-friendly vehicles

Banner is Austria’s only starter battery manufacturer and produces 4.8 million units annually.

According to Andreas Bawart, Banner’s Commercial CEO: “In the hotly contested battery market, our quality and reliability count for more than ever. A fact confirmed by new record sales revenues of EUR 307 million immediately following the last successful financial year.”

The starter battery specialist continues to have the further development of battery technologies offering greater environment friendliness in focus. For example, Banner’s premium class AGM and EFB start-stop batteries number among the forerunners in this branch segment and as Andreas Bawart stresses: “We are convinced that we can raise the sales of these innovative products still further and with this in view, will continue to adhere to our corporate philosophy of manufacturing exclusively in Austria.”

For further information

see press release

Picture caption:

PDF Andreas Bawart, the Banner GmbH Commercial CEO*

*© Fotostudio Eder

PDF The Banner starter battery product family

PDF The Banner location in Leonding is one of Europe’s most modern battery production plants

Always compare the following parameters with your existing battery before buying a battery:

• the dimensions,
• the circuit* (=layout) and the pole design,
• whether the base strips are necessary for fastening in your application, or whether there is a bracket fastening at the top of the battery cover,
• the battery technology (conventional, EFB or AGM battery)

Depending on a possible start/stop function, the additional electrical equipment (e.g. pre-heater, sound system, ...), the climate region or the car manufacturer's plant (= production site), different battery sizes/technologies may be installed.

*Attention - there is often confusion about the circuit (=layout). Please keep in mind that the battery circuit is always assessed with the poles facing the body.

Never install a conventional wet battery in a vehicle with start/stop function that is equipped with an AGM or EFB battery as standard. An AGM or EFB battery in the same housing and performance class must be used again!

Banner Tip: An upgrade from an EFB battery to an even more powerful and cycle-resistant Running Bull AGM battery is possible in housing H5/L2 (60Ah), H6/L3 (70Ah) and H7/L4 (80Ah). In this case it is absolutely necessary to register the new battery (optimal for this one is the BBST Banner Battery Service Tool).

Find a suitable battery now:

to battery search

Do you need help or is your application missing in the battery search? We are at your disposal:

to contact form

For our sales partners:

Content Cooperation

The battery, which hopefully will be stored in the garage or basement, can now be disconnected from the charger with charge retention function. After installing the battery, first the plus and then the minus cable is attached. Afterwards the terminals get some more Banner terminal grease or Banner terminal protection spray.

Please note: The ventilation hose must not be kinked during installation (not required for Bike Bull AGM, GEL and AGM PRO batteries). Now your bike is ready for the first exit - VROOOM!

If the battery was "forgotten" in the motorcycle, please charge the motorcycle battery.

Voltage regulated chargers such as the Banner Accucharger are best suited. These chargers carry out the charging process fully automatically. Depending on the capacity of the battery, you can use the following chargers:

- Batteries < 9 Ah:

Banner Accucharger 6/12V 2A

- Batteries 9 - 20 Ah:

Banner Accucharger 12V 3A

- Batteries > 20 Ah:

Banner Accucharger 12V 6A Recovery

- Remove the battery from the vehicle or disconnect the battery cable (disconnect the negative pole first).

Banner Tip: Before disconnecting and removing the old battery, we recommend using the Banner Memory Saver via the OBD plug (possibly with additional diagnostic adapter) in the motorcycle. This reliably prevents the loss of vehicle data. Suitable for all common motorcycles with 12V battery.

- Check electrolyte level before charging or add demineralised or distilled water if necessary (not possible or not necessary with Bike Bull AGM, GEL and AGM PRO batteries). The screw connections of the battery must not remain open during charging, preferably close them again.

- Connect the positive pole (+) of the battery to the charging terminal (+) of the charger and the negative pole (-) to the negative terminal (-) of the charger and switch on.

- Approximately one tenth of the capacity is recommended as charging current. (e.g. 30 Ah : 10 = 3A charging current). With an automatic charger, e.g. Banner Accucharger, this setting happens automatically, as the name suggests. Charging is finished when the current drops to 0 or no longer decreases or the automatic charger switches off.

- After charging, first switch off the charger and then disconnect it from the battery.

- After charging, check the electrolyte level again. (not applicable for Bike Bull AGM, GEL and AGM PRO batteries) Important: Never open the screw connections of the AGM, GEL and AGM PRO batteries! An acid density measurement or refilling of distilled water is not possible or necessary.

Attention: Never install a maintenance-free battery (AGM, GEL, AGM PRO) in a motorcycle without regulator - the maximum charging voltage must not exceed 14.80V!

For periodic battery check we recommend the Banner BBT DBA Tester.

By following these tips you are guaranteed a successful season!

In the latest customer survey, Auto Bild magazine - the highest-circulation automotive magazine in Europe, asked about the best image of suppliers and service providers. The empirical values of the readings form the basis of this study.

Banner came third in the Batteries Quality/Lifetime and Batteries Price/Performance categories!

Many thanks to the readers for their confidence in Banner Batterien!

Here you can read the whole article online or as PDF! (article in German)

PDF The results of the category Battery in detail