Benefits of Lead-Acid Batteries
What Are the Benefits of Lead-Acid Batteries and Why They Are Still Used
Lead-acid batteries are also known as starter batteries because they are able to hold and discharge enough of a high charge current to start an automobile and because they are the oldest type of rechargeable battery ever known to exist.They were developed by Gaston Plante in the 1850`s and have easily dominated the car battery market for close to 150 years now. New rechargeable batteries have not taken away anything from the importance these great batteries have had on society and they continue to deliver to this day.
Lead acid batteries have been in wide use for so many years now that their proliferation has made them cheaper and more cost effective than any new alternative so far.
The output of lead acid batteries provide enough power to start diesel and gasoline vehicles and run the lights and all the accessories therein making them the perfect choice for these jobs.
Lead-Acid Batteries Chemical Reactions
Lead acid batteries use a chemical reactions of lead, lead oxide and an liquid electrolyte solution to hold and produce a charge. The electrolyte solution is made mostly of water with a small part being sulfuric acid.
There are plates of lead and lead oxide that sit in this solution and when charged they cause a chemical reaction which is then routed through conductors to produce the useable type of electricity needed to run a vehicle.
To make this simpler to understand as lead acid batteries are being discharged, sulfuric acid gathers on the lead plates gettng ready to accept the next charge. When the battery is charged again the sulfuric acid breaks back down to lead and lead oxide again thereby making it ready to use.
In the 1970`s a sealed lead acid battery was developed and since then using this new type of lead acid battery has become safer than the previous type because they can be used in any position without the worry of leakage. The gelled electrolyte is put in separators and sealed. Safety valves are incorporated within the design to allow venting during atmospheric pressure changes, charging and discharging.
There are Three Types of Sealed Lead -Acid Batteries in Use Today :
1- The small sealed lead-acid (SLA)
2- The larger valve regulated lead-acid batteries.
3- Absorbed Glass Mat batteries (AGM)
The newest, most expensive and safest type of sealed lead-acid battery is the Absorbed Glass Mat batteries (AGM) . These batteries are safer because the plates are mounted in such a way that they can withstand extensive vibration and shock. They are also maintenance free.
The hydrogen emission from cars using these batteries is under 4% and a full charge only losing 1-3% per month. This gives them the ability to store a charge for a long time without having the need to refresh the charge. They are also better in an accident because the issues and dangers involved with spillage and durability have been reduced.
Because of these many benefits the AGM`s are now the preferred version of lead-acid battery used in high performance cars and as they grow in popularity the costs should get lower.
These new batteries are so good that in a full year the self-discharge is only 40% whereas a nickel-cadmium battery will self-discharge in as little as three months.
In conclusion, lead-acid batteries are probably the best choice ever made for cars because they are durable and very dependable, reliable and inexpensive. With the safety factor increasing with advancements in technology I predict that these batteries will be around for many, many years to come.
Mark - Electric-reviews.org
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