Battery FAQs2020-05-25T18:03:11-04:00

Battery FAQs

My OEM sales person has warned me that I will have all sorts of problems if I use GTS batteries including Safety, Union and Insurance issues.2017-03-26T15:50:23-04:00

This is untrue. We are amazed at the ridiculousness of some threats our customers have received. They range from baseless claims that only the OEM product is safe to the assertion that customers may have labor relations problems with their unions or that insurance companies might withhold coverage. These again are intimidation tactics, without any substance or basis. Click here for details.

Are there any issues with the National Electric Code?2017-03-26T15:48:29-04:00

No. Some OEM’s have suggested that customer needs to comply with the NEC and the NFPA (“association”) codes. This is another artificial and anticompetitive barrier. We have confirmed with the association and building inspectors that the electric code in the U.S. and also on a state basis covers “everything back from the wall plug.” The standard for Information Technology Equipment is Article 645 of the NEC. These regulations do not even include batteries or battery powered mobile computers/scanners.

Can I have the OEM certify that it is O.K. to use GTS batteries?2017-03-26T15:47:39-04:00

We have made many efforts at the request of customers to have different OEM’s approve our batteries for use by their customers in their devices. We have been unsuccessful in this endeavor. Batteries have become a lucrative profit center for many OEM’s who are reluctant to jeopardize their profits by authorizing a competitor.

Some of your batteries are UL listed—why haven’t you listed all of them?2017-03-26T15:47:03-04:00

We chose to have select batteries listed by UL to demonstrate that our batteries do meet or exceed the standards imposed by UL. There is no requirement for UL listing of batteries, and there are other standards including United Nations DOT Testing and NEMA specifications that are more relevant to batteries.

Do my batteries need to be certified or listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)?2017-03-26T15:51:03-04:00

No. Recently, some OEM’s have begun using the claim that batteries must be certified by UL as an artificial barrier to protect their battery sales.

There is no requirement to have UL Listings on battery packs and most OEMs do not do it. It is not because they are unconcerned with safety. Rather, it is unnecessary, costly, and time consuming.

For instance, although Motorola has UL listings for some of their recent mobile computer batteries, virtually all of Motorola’s respected two-way radio devices do not have UL listings. For an OEM to suggest that their UL listings would be voided or that non-UL accessories are unsafe is simply untrue. In addition, our insurance carrier has stated that this is a myth and they have never seen this in the industry. Click here for details.

What if something goes wrong with the battery?2017-03-26T15:38:24-04:00

Our warranty is the strongest in the industry. As you will see, it covers the battery itself for up to two years. Additionally, although it is extremely unlikely that any kind of damage could ever be caused by a battery pack, our warranty provides you with the peace of mind that we will repair or replace, at no charge to you, any device that is damaged in any way as a result of using GTS batteries.

Some OEM’s have taken the position that the customer MUST use only OEM batteries, and defend this position by claiming that only their batteries were specifically designed or tested for use in their equipment.

This is the equivalent of Ford claiming you cannot use a Die Hard battery in one of their vehicles. Some OEM’s attempt to create fear by implying the device may be damaged by use of GTS batteries. In the past 10 years, we have supplied batteries to Fortune 100 companies, the US Government and First Responders throughout the US as well as countless other customers, and we have never had an incident of a piece of equipment being damaged by one of our batteries. 

My OEM equipment salesperson is telling me that buying your batteries will void my equipment warranty. Can they do that?2017-10-12T00:16:10-04:00

No. In recent years we have heard sales people from numerous OEM equipment manufacturers make the claim that use of any battery but the OEM’s will result in the OEM voiding the warranty on the equipment. Not only is this illegal under both US and European law, but in many instances directly violates the OEM’s own policy. For instance, Motorola / Symbol Technologies addressed this issue in their Product Marketing Bulletin #1114 where they explicitly state:

“It is critical that you understand that a customer’s warranty is not automatically voided simply because that customer purchased a third party battery. We may not say or imply that. Also, you may not state that a third party product will damage the unit, impair performance or cause safety concerns unless you have been advised by Symbol Legal that there is testing to validate the claim. False claims regarding the quality, safety or performance of a competitive product can expose the Company to liability.”

For more information click here. If you have questions regarding antitrust laws in the US or you feel your company has been threatened you can contact the Department of Justice Antitrust Division at 888-647-3258 or visit their website at www.usdoj.gov/atr.

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