Battery Brands and Facts
Battery Brands
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Battery Facts
What are the differences between gel batteries and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries?
Both are recombinant batteries. Both are sealed valve-regulated (SVR) - also called valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA). AGM batteries and gel batteries are both considered "acid-starved". In a gel Battery, the electrolyte does not flow like a normal liquid. The electrolyte has the consistency and appearance of petroleum jelly. Like gelled electrolyte batteries, absorbed electrolyte batteries are also considered non-spillable - all of the liquid electrolyte is trapped in the sponge-like matted glass fibre separator material. The "acid-starved" condition of gel and AGM batteries protects the plates during heavy deep-discharges. The gel battery is more starved, giving more protection to the plate; therefore, it is better suited for super-deep discharge applications. Due to the physical properties of the gelled electrolyte, gel battery power declines faster than an AGM battery's as the temperature drops below 32ºF. AGM batteries excel for high current, high power applications and in extremely cold environments.
Applications
VRLA batteries can be substituted in virtually any flooded lead-acid battery application (in conjunction with well-regulated charging), as well as applications where traditional flooded batteries cannot be used.
Because of their unique features and benefits, VRLA batteries are particularly well suited for:
Deep Cycle, Deep Discharge Applications
Standby and Emergency Backup Applications
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Unusual and Demanding Applications
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Flooded Batteries - Automotive
Flooded lead-acid batteries are the most widely used batteries both in automotive and marine applications. Lead-acid batteries are usually less expensive than either the Gel or AGM batteries, but do not provide the same cycle life and convenience. Most flooded batteries require maintenance. Electrolyte levels must be maintained above the cell's plates.
The automotive battery must deliver high cranking currents at a satisfactory voltage for a few seconds and a portion of the accessory load (10-25 amperes) for a minute or two at a time in city or heavy traffic. Therefore, the automotive battery is designed with maximum plate area and low internal resistance to provide high cranking performance.
Power taken from this battery is immediately replaced by the alternator or generator. Therefore the battery is subjected to shallow discharge cycles (2-3% of the battery capacity). These batteries operate in the 90-100% state of charge.
Deep Cycle Batteries
Unlike standard car batteries, deep cycle batteries are constructed with thicker grids of antimony lead alloy and a denser paste to active material to withstand discharge and recharge cycles.
Cycling or deep cycle batteries are designed to supply all accessory power without having immediate replacement charge from the alternator or generator.
This construction allows the deep cycle battery to deliver sustained power with low current drain for extended periods of time. Repeated cycling (Discharge and recharge) does not cause the same level of damage that a car battery would sustain from the same process.
The ability to deliver steady power with long cycle life makes the deep cycle battery and ideal solution for a range of both recreational and industrial applications.
In recreational applications, deep cycle batteries may be found in gold buggies, caravans, electric scooters, four wheel drive vehicles, boats and electric wheelchairs
Deep cycle batteries are also ideal for solar devices and industrial applications such as auxiliary power supplies, pallet movers and scissor lifts.
Reasons for Battery Failure
1) Is the battery being used in the application for which it was designed?
For example an automotive battery used in a deep cycle environment is an obvious misapplication.
2) Is the battery sized correctly for the application?
3) Does the vehicle have excessive electrical accessories particularly those which have been added to the vehicle?
Examples of these include winches, lights, amplifiers etc. It may be advisable to increase the vehicles charging system to meet these needs, a higher capacity battery will help, but ultimately, the charging system output must exceed the charge consumed or even the largest battery will become discharged.
4) Over charging is a common failure factor in batteries as this causes evaporation of the electrolyte and increased shedding of the active material.
5) Under charging is as damaging due to the increased sulphation rates this induces, retarding the battery from accepting charge. Storage with out recharging (infrequently used vehicles) or regular maintenance charge creates an ideal environment for sulphation to occur thus reducing expected life.
6) Vibration is a major cause of premature battery failure. This creates a build up of fallen material to collect in the mud rack at the base of the battery and possibly creating a short across the cells.
7) Discharging a battery below 10.5 volts is termed as deep discharge and should not be done regularly on automotive batteries as this is classed as incorrect application. (refer item 1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all rechargeable NiCad batteries have 'memory effect'?
No, not all rechargeable batteries have the memory effect. GP batteries use a new technology, unlike sintered plate type rechargeable cells GP rechargeable NiCad cylindrical cells with modern foam electrode technology do not exhibit memory effect.
Why don't NiMH cells have the memory effect?
The reason that there is no memory effect in the NiMH cells is because of the non cadmium based nature of the cell, teamed with the modern foam electrode technology, ensuring that no undesirable memory effect is present.
What is the best type of battery to use for a high drain application like a discman, personal stereo, or camera equipment?
The best type of battery to use in a high drain application is an alkaline cell. These will perform head and shoulders above a zinc carbon cell in this type of application. The Alkaline cells are designed to be used for high drain applications.
What is the best type of battery to use for a low drain application like a wall clock, or a remote control?
You have two options: Using the Alkaline cells which will perform very well, or saving some money and using the Zinc Chloride type cell, which will perform almost as well as the Alkaline in this type of application.
What is the best way to store my rechargeable batteries?
We recommend that you try not to store your batteries for extended periods of time. If you need to do this however, try to store the battery in an uncharged state. When you know you need to use the battery again take it out of storage a few days before it's needed and charge and discharge it three times. This should rejuvenate the battery to get the highest capacity available from the cells.
Why don't my rechargeable batteries last as long as the old one's use to?
This has to do with the charging specifications on the batteries. All consumer type rechargeable GP batteries charging specifications are to charge at 10% of the batteries capacity for 12 to 16 hours .In this day and age however most charge well above this rate as people want their batteries charged faster. Unfortunately there is a trade off, your battery gets charged a lot quicker but doesn't last as long.
Can I replace a NiCad battery with a NiMH battery?
Yes, in many cases it is not possible to get NiCad batteries for appliances, therefore there is no choice. The only problem that may arise is the charger may not cope with the higher capacity battery. It will either take a longer time to charge or not charge at all.
What does 'mAh' mean?
mAh stands for Milli-Amp per hour. This is the batteries petrol tank, it refers to how long the battery will last after each charge. The higher than the mAh the longer the battery will last after each charge.
How long will a new battery last in my appliance?
Every appliances uses a battery differently, therefore it is not possible to know how long a battery will last in a particular appliance. However if you have an old battery you can compare the two mAh ratings and work it out that way.
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