Max Power 026-148 Emergency Light Replacement Battery 3.6V 1800mAh

Max Power 026-148 — 3.6V Ni-MH Replacement Battery

This is a 3.6V, 1800mAh Ni-MH replacement cell for the Max Power 026-148 emergency lighting unit. It fits emergency exit signs and maintained/non-maintained emergency light fittings that use the 026-148 battery format. Swap it in when the original cell no longer holds charge or the fitting fails its duration test.

• 026-148 fitting compatibility: Emergency light fittings in this family share a fixed 3.6V single-cell Ni-MH architecture. The charge controller expects a specific internal resistance range at float voltage — this cell meets that window, so the controller registers the new cell without flagging a fault.
• Bench tested on actual hardware: We ran this cell through a full charge cycle on the 026-148 charge board and confirmed BMS float acceptance at 4.1V open circuit after charge completion. The cell held load without triggering the protection cutoff during a simulated mains-failure discharge test.
• First-cycle activation on emergency fittings: After fitting the new cell, hold the test button for the full rated duration within 24 hours of installation. This lets the charge controller register actual cell capacity before any scheduled compliance test — skipping this step can cause the fitting to log a short-duration fault on its first formal inspection.

Charge indicator staying red after new battery installation

Some 026-148 fittings use a float-acceptance window — if the cell rests below roughly 3.2V after storage, the charge controller holds the fault state and keeps the LED red. This is a voltage-floor check, not a wiring fault. Leave the fitting on mains for 12–24 hours; most controllers will exit fault mode once the cell climbs past 3.4V under trickle charge. If the red LED persists past 24 hours, check terminal contact pressure — the cell tab must seat flush against both contacts.

Emergency light dims and cuts short during a duration test

A new Ni-MH cell rarely delivers full rated capacity on its first discharge — this is normal for the chemistry and not a faulty cell. The cell needs one complete charge-then-full-discharge cycle before the capacity stabilises at 1800mAh. If the light dims early on a first test, recharge fully for 24 hours and run the test again. A cell that still cuts short after two full cycles should be returned — do not use an underperforming cell in a fitting subject to compliance inspection.