Car battery - everything you need to know!

The car battery is an integral part of its mechanism. Therefore, it is worth knowing exactly how it works and why it is needed.

A few years ago, the most popular type of battery was lead-acid. The low price and ease of use have led many drivers to purchase such products. Now the car battery is a different device, thanks to the dynamic development of energy receivers in cars. What is worth knowing about this key mechanism? Check!

Car battery - why is it needed?

Internal combustion vehicles require ignition to operate. It is created with the participation of electricity converted into a spark or heat. In diesel vehicles, the spark plugs are heated and fuel is injected into the combustion chamber. The mixture may ignite due to heat and high pressure. Gasoline-powered vehicles also use the battery to control the amount of fuel at ignition and to create the spark. Without it, the car won't start.

Diesel car battery - do you need it all the time?

Vehicles with older diesel engines can run after ignition without a battery connected. Of course, no one will connect it just to start the engine. However, for further operation of the drive unit, it is not needed, since ignition occurs under the action of pressure and heat already in the cylinder. Theoretically, the diesel battery is needed only for starting.

Types of batteries installed on cars

As we have already mentioned, the car battery has undergone a significant evolution. Today, almost no one has a model that needs to be filled with electrolyte. What types of vehicles are currently available? We give a brief description of all groups of batteries that are used in vehicles. Know their types because it will make it easier for you to choose the right product for your car.

SLA, or lead acid battery

They are still popular (and even in more modern cars). For their production are used:

• metal lead anode;
• lead dioxide cathode;
• an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (37%) in combination with additional substances.

The most commonly used SLA batteries have 6 cells and operate at a nominal voltage of 12V.

Characteristics of SLA batteries

What makes these models different from others available on the market? Lead-acid products are currently completely maintenance-free (although some do require topping up with electrolyte), while being relatively cheap and durable. They are not afraid of deep discharge. The current can be supplemented by charging, which does not change the durability of the device. Remember, however, that the battery for this type of car does not like prolonged low charge, because this can cause it to sulfate.

GEL - a few words about the gel battery

In fact, this is a continuation of lead-acid technology. The difference is that the electrolyte is in a gel form, which improves the quality of the device. Silicon dioxide is added to sulfuric acid to gel the electrolyte. This type of battery is used, in particular, in vehicles with the StartStop system. This requires a sudden supply of electricity of significant cost.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel batteries

What was obtained by adding a gelling agent to the electrolyte? Thanks to this and a compact housing, such a battery can be placed in different positions in the car and other vehicles. What are their benefits? Above all:

• the substance is often used in SUVs;
• electrolyte does not leak, so adjacent components do not rust. 

However, GEL technology is sensitive to charging conditions. When using unsuitable devices, the safety valves will not open even if the battery is recharged.

AGM - technology similar to GEL

Like the gel battery, the AGM type belongs to the VRLA battery family, i.e. closed. They also have an electrolyte inside, but its state of aggregation is different. This type of battery uses glass fiber that absorbs sulfuric acid and binds it without the possibility of leakage.

Characteristics of AGM batteries

What is special about using such a product? AGM battery:

• usually cheaper than the gel counterpart;
• it is also resistant to high power consumption and has a longer run time;
• it can be smaller than gel due to the good electrolyte concentration in the fiberglass. 

Remember that you must not allow it to be deeply discharged if you want to maintain the high efficiency of the device.

EFB/AFB/ECM – Efficient Lead Acid Solutions

The types described are highly resistant to discharge. This is mainly due to the fact that they have almost twice the capacity of traditional options. Their material is elements made of lead, tin and calcium alloys, as well as separators of polyester and polyethylene fibers.

Pros and Cons of Slow Discharging Batteries

As the name suggests, their main advantage is discharge resistance. That is why they are used in vehicles with a lot of electrical devices on board. This is a good car battery for a car with a StartStop system. Unfortunately, it is not very resistant to deep discharge, which shortens its life. This option is also more expensive than traditional lead-acid counterparts.

Battery selection - what rules should be considered?

Distinguishing battery types isn't the only issue when buying a new device. Its design itself is only one of several parameters that must be considered. What else is important for choosing the right battery for a car?

The most important parameters are:

• polarity;
• capacity;
• starting current (power);
• voltage;
• pole type;
• measurement.

Battery polarity and selection

This parameter is marked in the product name with the symbol P+ or L+. What means? It tells you which of the poles (right or left) is positive. While it may be hard to guess at first glance, the battery has additional markings on the case with visible markings. Plus is also often marked in red, and minus in black. Selecting the correct polarity for the battery is important because many vehicles have a limited length of electrical wires. Therefore, the battery can only be installed in one position.

Car battery and its capacity

Capacitance is simply the ability to drain current at a certain amount of current for a long time. Therefore, in the name of the product, this value is accompanied by the symbol Ah (ampere-hours). Vehicles that do not require too much battery capacity usually have 60 Ah or 72 Ah batteries.

Battery capacity, or more is better?

We note right away that it makes no sense to buy a very capacious car battery for a smaller vehicle. You won’t get anything special from this, but you can only lose. Why? The current reserve in the battery depends on the type of alternator. Its dimensions and efficiency are strictly defined, so when charging a much larger battery, it will not cope. The battery will be constantly undercharged, which will shorten its life.

Battery charge - Inrush current indication

This value is expressed in amps and indicates the peak current that the battery can generate. In the name of the manufacturer of a particular battery, this can be a value, for example, 450 A or 680 A. The most important thing is to choose this value for the car. You should not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations. The rule of thumb is that diesel vehicles need more battery power to start.

Correct battery voltage - what should it be?

The vast majority of vehicles on the road have a 12V electrical system. Therefore, the battery must also support this operating voltage. Experts report that a healthy battery should have a voltage value in the range of 12,4-12,8 V. With the engine running with the headlights and receivers off, it can rise above 13 V. However, if it is less than 12,4 V, it may indicate a discharge and battery failure.

What battery to buy for a car?

If your previous battery worked flawlessly and just died over the years, you might be tempted to replace it with the same battery. But what if you are not sure if the previous owner chose it correctly? The key is the choice of batteries for a particular engine and car.

How to choose a battery in the store and online?

For shopping, you can go to a trusted auto parts store. The salesperson will consult the vehicle manufacturer's catalog to select the appropriate battery for a specific vehicle model. In many online stores you will also find special interactive catalogs. They show you the most suitable battery options for your selected vehicle.

Car battery - the price of a good product

When looking for a new battery, you probably already noticed that this is not the cheapest device. However, aim for new products. Used copies do not give any certainty for how many years (more precisely, months) of operation will last. Also remember that the final price of an item is affected by whether you are returning an old car battery or buying a new one without returning the previous one. Such a deposit can be several tens of zlotys.

Battery - price, i.e. how much will you pay?

As wallpaper, let's take a battery for a small city car with a small gasoline engine. Here it is enough to choose a battery with the designation 60 Ah and 540 A. What is its price? It's about 24 euros if you choose the traditional lead-acid type. However, if you need a product for a large diesel car, the cost will be slightly higher than 40 euros.

Cheap car batteries - is it worth it?

Often it is a lottery. The condition of such equipment is affected by the way the vehicle is used and its power requirements. Some users praise the cheapest solutions. You can find such batteries in supermarkets. It happens that these are Chinese goods or completely unknown brands, but they have been working for many years. Remember that price alone will not give you a guarantee of durability. A battery from a trusted manufacturer may not perform well if the car is parked outside in the winter and you do not drive it regularly. Therefore, do not forget to properly care for the battery.

As you can see, the car battery is a river theme. You can choose from many types of devices with different options. Remember that bigger hardware won't always be better because you just need to install it on your car. Also avoid used copies as their durability will not be satisfactory.