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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are AED Battery Exchange (ABE) re-celled packs different from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) packs?
  2. Why use ABE battery packs?
  3. What is the “green” value of returning used AED packs to AED Battery Exchange?
  4. What battery packs are re-celled?
  5. How can AED Battery Exchange offer the same warranty on a re-celled pack as the original manufacturer (OEM)?
  6. What about the indemnity that the AED manufacture provides?
  7. Why do I need to look for FDA approved AED battery packs in the U.S.?
  8. How do I purchase a re-celled pack?
  9. Do I need to send in my old battery pack before I get a replacement because I don’t want my AED to be out of service?
  10. Do the expired battery packs I send in have to be the same as the packs I want to purchase?
  11. How do I return used, non-rechargeable battery packs to AED Battery Exchange?
  12. Are the re-celled packs certified for transport?
  13. Why hasn’t this re-cell process been done before?
  14. Can expired battery packs be re-celled more than once?
  15. What about countries other than the United States?
  16. How do ABE re-celled packs compare to after market packs?
  17. How is the AED Battery Exchange affiliated with HeartStation?
  1. Are AED Battery Exchange (ABE) re-celled packs different from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) packs?
    AED Battery Exchange (ABE) only uses cells by the same manufacturers as the AED OEM, and therefore there is no difference in performance or life. AED Battery Exchange batteries are approved by the FDA on PMA P190013 and UN38.3 certified for transportation. Labeling clearing identifies that the battery has been re-celled by ABE. ABE pricing is substantially lower than OEM pricing.
  2. Why use ABE battery packs?
    • Lower cost for equivalent product
    • Convenient and “green” reuse/disposal of hazardous waste for those that have an environmental conscience.
  3. What is the “green” value of returning used AED packs to AED Battery Exchange?
    The volume of plastic from disposed of AED batteries in the U.S. each year is approximately equivalent to that of 2.3 million water bottles. The non-discharged hazardous waste is nearly 200 tons. Save a life – kill the planet? Please do your part in returning cores and purchasing re-celled batteries.
  4. What battery packs are re-celled?
    AED Battery Exchange re-cells batteries for the following AED's:
    Cardiac ScienceTM PowerheartTM G3, G3 PLus, G5
    PhillipsTM HeartStart TM FRx, Onsite & Home, FR3
  5. How can AED Battery Exchange offer the same warranty on a re-celled pack as the original manufacturer (OEM)?
    AED Battery Exchange (ABE) uses cells by the same manufactuer as the OEM, providing eqivalent amp-hour rating and life as the OEM. AED Battery Exchange provides a 4 year warranty against material and workmanship defects. ABE only uses cells by the same manufacturers as the OEM's in order to provide equivalent life. ABE does not warranty against environmental or AED conditions that result in AED writing error codes to the battery that are not indicative of the true health of the battery.
  6. What about the indemnity that the AED manufacture provides?
     Please see the “Warranty and Indemnification” section of this website. AED Battery Exchange extends typical indemnification provided by the OEM to those who purchase, rent, or lease product with ABE battery packs from authorized distributors.
  7. Why do I need to look for FDA approved AED battery packs in the U.S.?
    AEDs are Class III devices regulated by the FDA in the U.S. By February 3, 2022 it will be illegal to market AED batteries, or to operate an AED with a battery that is not FDA approved. P190013 is a link to the FDA's site identifiying AED Battery Exchange's PMA for the batteries identified in FAQ4.
  8. How do I purchase a re-celled pack?
    AED Battery Exchange distribution partners are a vital part of our business and most sales take place through these partners as they offer accessories and support beyond the battery.  If you are interested in contacting one of our distribution partners please go to the “Find a Distributor” section of this website and fill out the necessary information.  You will be supplied with a list of local distribution partners for purchasing re-celled packs.  ABE has also added a store for direct purchase of batteries.  To access this store please click here
  9. Do I need to send in my old battery pack before I get a replacement because I don’t want my AED to be out of service?
    It is not necessary to send your depleted battery core to ABE in advance of ordering a replacement. ABE distribution partners typically provide cores in advance of ordering such that ABE has a surplus of depleted batteries for re-celling. However, it is encouraged that depleted cores be returned per FAQ 11 to keeps cores out of landfill or being incinerated.
  10. Do the expired battery packs I send in have to be the same as the packs I want to purchase?
    Distributors can only receive credit for returned cores of the same type purchased. End users should discuss this with their distributor as they may have flexibility based on core stock.
  11. How do I return used, non-rechargeable battery packs to AED Battery Exchange?
    Only the NON-rechargeable packs identified in #4 above are accepted at this time. Please check back regularly as this list will continue to grow. Distribution partners can return cores directly to ABE. Users should return cores through the distributor that they purchased from. If a user’s supplier will not receive a core, please return directly to ABE.

    If multiple battery packs are to be shipped together, please isolate packs from each other using plastic bags, foam, bubble wrap, or other material to prevent battery contacts from shorting together and to protect the pack housings from damage.

    Every carton of up to 12 cores must contain the following label: PRINT LABEL

    PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES
    FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT
    ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT

    For more than 12 packs the following label must also be included on at least one side of the package:PRINT LABEL

    These packages can ship standard ground UPS, Fed Ex, or US mail. For shipping direct to AED Battery Exchange, ship to

    AED Battery Exchange
    Battery Core Returns
    1000 Brown Street, Suite #206
    Wauconda, IL 60084
    USA

    Be sure to include your information if you would like to receive core credits.

  12. Are the re-celled packs certified for transport?
     All lithium battery packs must be tested to the United Nations Tests and Criteria in order to transport, even by ground. These tests include altitude simulation, thermal, vibration, shock, external short circuit, impact, overcharge, and forced discharge. Every manufacturer including AED Battery Exchange, providing re-celled packs must test and maintain a certificate allowing transport of lithium packs. This certificate is available at request from AED Battery Exchange. If you are distributing/shipping aftermarket or re-celled packs, make sure your supplier has provided this certificate to avoid substantial fines associated with the transport of untested, hazardous materials.
  13. Why hasn’t this re-cell process been done before?
    The cost of entry into re-celling Class III devices consisting of lithium is high if adhering to federal regulations. This is not a process for the typical battery rebuilder. The FDA requires Pre Market Approval for AED batteries. This requires demonstation of Saftely and Effectiveness of the product design, as well as the manufacturing process. In addition the transport of lithium products requires certification of successful completion of testing to procedures of United Nations 38.3.
  14. Can expired battery packs be re-celled more than once?
    Yes, in most cases the packs can be re-celled multiple times.
  15. What about countries other than the United States?
    Currently the AED Battery Exchange only has FDA approval in the United States.
  16. How do ABE re-celled packs compare to after market packs?
    Re-celled packs have OEM components. After market packs are attempts to duplicate OEM packs. Tooling will not be exact for the housings and the fit will not be as good as the OEM. Internal components such as the cells may or may not be provided by the same manufacturer supplying to the AED OEM. After market packs can come from anywhere and may not be approved by the FDA, manufactured within a registered facility, or even certified for transport. If information is difficult to find on who is responsible for the design and manufacture of an aftermarket pack, there is a good chance that they are not following federal regulations, and therefore, subject to fines and recalls.
  17. How is the AED Battery Exchange affiliated with HeartStation?
    The AED Battery Exchange, LLC is a completely independent company from HeartStation and HeartStation’s parent company, Innovatech Automation, LLC. AED Battery Exchange, LLC currently leases space from HeartSation, hence the same address. They also share certain internal resources so you may find the same friendly voice when you contact us. Lastly AED Battery Exchange, LLC has partnered with many of the same U.S. distributors as HeartStation.