Lead-acid battery chemistries are sometimes mistaken for entirely distinct technologies. But the bulk of batteries in most contemporary cars and motorcycles, including AGM ones, are lead-acid.
Lead-acid technology comprises Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB), Gel Cell, Flooded (or Wet Cell), and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.
Similar to how lithium-ion batteries are divided into subsets by lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium nickel manganese oxide, and lithium iron phosphate. Lead-acid batteries are categorised into two primary groups based on their subsets: Flooded Lead-Acid and Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA), which is also referred to as Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA).
We shall examine each technology's distinctions below.
FLOODED (WET CELL)
Maintenance: Required
Type: Flooded
Cycle Life: Approx 500 cycles
Duty Cycle: 50% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts
Batteries with flooded or wet cell chemistry are the cheapest to produce and the simplest in terms of technology. They are the most widely used and cost-effective type. The liquid electrolyte solution in flooded batteries - hence the term "wet" - needs to be maintained following cycles of charging and discharging.
Every three to six months, the majority of flooded batteries will need to have their electrolyte updated. To strengthen a flooded battery's resistance to incorrect charging, more electrolytes can be added in case the battery is unintentionally overloaded.
However, if depleted below 50% depth of discharge, flooded batteries suffer a significant drop in battery life. It needs to be mounted vertically and with caution to prevent contact with the battery acid.
ENHANCED FLOODED BATTERIES (EFB)
Maintenance: Required
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: Approx 1000 cycles
Duty Cycle: 60% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts
Hybrid vehicles that are intended to endure the cyclic demands of start-stop, tend to use enhanced flooded batteries, which are a cost-effective battery option. EFB batteries include a liquid electrolyte solution, just like flooded batteries, but they are made to withstand around a 15 percent increase in duty cycle and twice as much cycling endurance.
EFB batteries are positioned vertically and charged similarly to normal Flooded batteries, despite having better performance for start-stop applications.
GEL CELL
Maintenance: Maintenance-Free
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 500 cycles
Duty Cycle: 50% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.2-14.3 Volts
In order to construct a non-spillable variant of a flooded battery, gel cell batteries were developed. This construction method means they can be placed on their side, which is more common in motorcycles than cars, where space is at a premium.
They are similar on the inside, with the exception that calcium is used in place of antimony in the lead plates, and its electrolyte is mixed with fumed silica to create an immobilised solution. Gel Cell batteries, as opposed to Flooded batteries, can be installed in nearly any orientation.
They are more resilient to shock, vibration, and acid stratification, and they evaporate less electrolyte over the course of a cycle. Despite being available commercially, Gel Cell batteries are becoming less common, due to improvements in Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.
ABSORDED GLASS MAT (AGM)
Maintenance: Maintenance-Free
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 500 cycles
Duty Cycle: 80% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.7-14.8 Volts
The newest innovation in non-spillable battery technology is represented by absorbent glass mats (AGM).
AGM batteries employ a separator that resembles fibreglass to absorb the electrolyte in place rather than a gelling agent. Because AGM batteries have a low internal resistance (allowing them to produce larger currents), can charge up to five times faster, and can cycle down to 80 percent depth of drain, they perform better than flooded and gel cell batteries.
AGM batteries are susceptible to incorrect charging, just like any other sealed lead-acid battery.
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The latest battery technology is not a form of lead-acid battery. It is a lithium battery. All the lead-acid battery types listed above are variation of the original battery technology, which is over a century old. Lithium batteries mark a departure from this original technology and are a massive step on from lead-acid.
LITHIUM ION
Maintenance: Maintenance-Free
Type: Sealed Cell
Cycle Life: 2000 cycles
Duty Cycle: 10% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 13.2-13.6 Volts
Lithium salt is used by lithium-Ion batteries, a form of rechargeable deep cycle battery, to increase energy density and boost the effectiveness of electricity storage. When compared to conventional lead-acid batteries, they have the longest lifespan, the largest storage capacity, the fastest and most efficient charging, and are lightweight.
But compared to other varieties, 12V lithium-ion batteries can be more expensive. This is due to the fact that they provide a much longer lifespan and better quality than other sorts.
Lithium-ion batteries are a terrific alternative for people looking for a durable and efficient battery because of their superior reliability, efficiency, and deeper depth of discharge, all at a higher cost.
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming a more and more popular option for a variety of applications, including power generation and transportation, due to their many benefits. Over time, advancements in technology have led to a rise in the usage of lithium batteries due to their decreasing costs and expanding range of applications.
