A Brief Introduction To Automotive Batteries

An automotive battery is a kind of a battery that provides electrical energy to a vehicle and is also rechargeable. Usually this kind of battery is referred to as an SLI battery (starting, lighting, Ignition) to power the lights, starter motor and the ignition of a car’s engine. It may also refer to a traction battery utilized for the power source of an electrical automobile.

Automotive Batteries are usually of the lead-acid type and provide a 12-volt potential difference by connecting galvanic cells. Each of the 6 cells that are connected provided 2.1 volts for a grand total of 12.6 volts at maximum charge.
 
These batteries consist of lead plates and separate lead oxide plates which are dunked in electrolyte solution consisting of 65% water and 35% sulphuric acid. This in turn causes a chemical reaction that emits electrons letting them to go through conductors to conduct electricity.

Types

Automotives use lead acid batteries that are of the flooded cell type that indicate liquid electrolyte. Absorbed glass mat batteries are gaining popularity by users in SLI applications. 

The shallow or starting cycle kind of battery is intended to supply large amounts of energy generally to start an engine. Once the engine is revved up, they can be recharged by the charging system. 

The motive or deep cycle kind of battery is used to supply power for longer periods of time. For example in traction powered golf cart or auxiliary powered recreational automobile or motor for a boat. The deep cycle type can also be utilized to store energy supply from a photo voltaic cell or wind turbine.  

Storage of battery

Automotive batteries need to be monitored and charged periodically if it is in storage in order to retain its capacity. batteries that are going to be stored should be cleared of deposits of corrosions, charged fully and left on a dry, cool place. Higher temperatures raise the rate of self discharge and plate corrosion. Batteries can be charged from time to time by a constant voltage method or connected to a float charger.

Corrosion

A car can be prevented from starting due to corrosion of battery terminals. A leakage or a small crack causes corrosion by allowing sulphuric acid vapor to corrode the lead –made battery terminals. In order to prevent corrosion, the battery terminals need to cleaned with a wire brush and a mixture of water and baking soda and the corrosive residue washed clear with water.

 The battery terminals are often coated with petroleum jelly once they are reassembled or a commercially available anticorrosion solution to decrease the rate of accumulation of corrosion. The white corrosive powder found surrounding the battery terminals is actually lead sulphate which is actually toxic when inhaled.

Freshness of the battery

Automotive batteries need to be installed within one year of the battery’s manufacture. The manufacturing date is usually printed on a sticker. Most of the automotive batteries are filled with the necessary electrolyte solution at the manufacturing unit and shipped to the respective clients.