Battery Article-B

   Last month we took a brief look at the different ratings found on a battery. This month we will look at some of different types of batteries available. As with last month this information was obtained from Jim DeCoste of East Penn/Power Battery.

Low Water Loss or Maintenance Free (MF) Batteries: These are the most common types of battery available for your car. Their most prominent characteristic is that they can discharge large amounts of amperage easily, making them ideal for starting applications. There are three types of batteries that are called maintenance free batteries.        

   The top of the list is the genuine Calcium, meaning there is no antimony content in the grids or plates. This type of battery is the cream of the crop and will perform better than any other type of maintenance free battery. The only negative to genuine Calcium batteries is they do not recharge well if the recharge voltage is 14.2 volts or lower. This rarely presents a problem on a North American model car, as their charge rates are usually in excess of 14.2 volts.

   The next type is called a Hybrid battery. It is a combination battery, having one calcium and one low antimony plate. Hybrid batteries gas (lose water) at a rate 600% higher than calcium batteries. Hybirds are even more sensitive to recharge voltage, requiring the rate to be between 14.1 to 14.5 volts. This represents a huge problem for almost all Delco applications as their charge rate is well over 14.5 volts. This causes hybird batteries to boil in about only three years.

   On the bottom of the list is Low Antimony (or Low Sb) type batteries. These types of batteries are defined as having 2-½% antimony content. These gas at a rate 1200% higher than calcium batteries. The rate at which a battery gases is important as the more water lost, the shorter the service life. I would hope that none of our readers would ever consider using this type of battery.

   So what battery is right for you. You will definitely get what you pay for in this field. A car’s electrical system is the most over looked system when performance improvements are performed on a vehicle. If your charging/battery systems are not top notch than all those extra’s you have added will be for not. They will still work but their service life will definitely be shortened. Our shop has always found humor in the gentlemen who spends $10,000.00 on a stereo but balk at spending extra money on the charging system. The result usually is the stereo sounds at half its potential and lasts only a short period of time.

   Don’t you monster motor guys laugh either. We had one customer refuse to spend $150.00 on a super torque starter, only to put on 8 used starters at $25.00 each. I guess it always depends on how much time and money you have to waste. I have learned it is a lot easier to do it right the first time.

   Some advantages of MF batteries are: their initial cost is low, higher cranking amps, accepts higher recharge voltages, and replacements are readily available.

   The disadvantages are: they are spillable, can only be mounted upright, short life spans, not always maintenance free, and they cannot be installed near sensitive electronic equipment.

   Another type of maintenance free battery is the Deep cycle battery. Its primary feature is it can discharge a low amperage for a very long period of time. They however are not recommended for starting applications. They do however make excellent choices for secondary batteries.

Absorbed Electrolyte Batteries: These types of batteries are completely sealed, having a SVR (Sealed Valve Regulated). They sometimes are called SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). They work on the principle of using the Hydrogen produced on the negative plate and combining it with the oxygen produced on the positive plate to create water. These types of batteries also have the electrolyte stored in a sponge like material. This makes them spill proof, leak proof, and makes it possible for them to be installed upright or on their sides. Some other advantages are: they are less expensive than gel cells, excellent for starting or stationary applications, no corrosion, air transportable, and they truly are totally maintenance free.

   Their disadvantages are: shorter service life than gel cells, not effect in deep cycle applications, expensive chargers are required to recharge them, if water is lost because of over charging it cannot be replaced, and the charge voltage must be regulated to 14.4 to 14.6 volts at 68ºF.

   Major manufacturers of this type of battery are M&K, Hawker, Genesis, East Penn, and Optima. The first three manufacturers listed are found in 90% of all electric vehicle world record holders. Hint, hint.

Gelled Electrolyte (Gel Cells): These are batteries are on the forefront of battery technology. The electrolyte in these batteries is contained in a “gel form” instead of a liquid form. These batteries are more expensive than most other types of batteries. But when used in the proper application they are very cost effective. The are also required by some Oval Track and Road Race Governing Body's. The reason for this is that if the battery is torn to pieces in a wreak, it won’t splatter electrolyte every where.

   There are many other applications for gel cells, some which are: electric vehicles, deep cycle applications, golf carts, UPS, air transported equipment, computer back up, many racing applications, off road vehicles, wet environments, and the list could go on.

   Gel cell batteries’ advantages are: truly maintenance free, spill proof, leak proof, superior deep cycle life, can be installed in any position, very rugged and vibration resistant, will not freeze if fully charged, most versatile, and the lowest cost per month over its life span and the lowest cost per cycle. Basically they step up from an Absorbed Electrolyte battery.

   Their only disadvantages over the Absorbed Electrolyte batteries are they have a higher initial cost and they are heavier.

New Technology Batteries: There are several new types of batteries emerging into the market place. Some of these include nickel/metal/hydrate, poly/ion, nickel/cadmium, and a few others. All these types of batteries are noted for being lighter weight, but extremely powerful batteries. An example would be a 12 volt NiMh lantern battery actually has more stored energy than a standard car battery.

   Since they are basically in their infancy stages, they are very expensive right now, but in the next few years, their prices should fall. Which will be great news for racers, for you will be able to replace your 40lb battery with a 10lb one, saving 30lbs with just a battery change. Next months article Battery Article C