TECH TIPS................................ We Batteries! (But don’t mention Peukert’s exponent) batteries in terms of construction and operation. actually rely on them, not only to get their vehicles running
ignored until they stop working properly. This is a shame because batteries really are fascinating things and spending a bit of time, effort and - perhaps - money on them can pay huge dividends in all aspects of a battery’s performance.
The first batteries are reputed to have been used around 2,000 years ago in what is now Iraq. It
was Gaston Plante who, in 1859, first produced batteries for commercial use. Although battery technology has come a long way since then, Monsieur Plante would still recognise a 21st century lead-acid battery as
but also to enable them to be comfortable when spending physical damage caused by constant deep discharging. time in them. In fact, batteries tend to be completely They would be ideal for use in caravans, motorhomes and boats except for a couple of features: they are extremely heavy and bulky and they are very, very expensive. For most people, these disadvantages tend to outweigh the notable
advantages of deep-cycle batteries and so, in most cases, the leisure battery is the most widely used for domestic use in vehicles.
Cutaway of a typical lead-acid battery. This one is an AGM model from Banner.
his predecessors of 2,000 years ago had employed. Battery basics:
using pretty much the same basic physics that both he and lead-acid models are by far the most common and have
All lead-acid batteries are constructed in a similar way as shown in the diagram here. Very basically: the battery is
they are kept apart by “separators” which avoid short- circuiting but allow current to flow. Whatever the type of lead-acid battery, it’s these components that are critical.
entirely account for the difference between a “good” battery and a “not so good” battery.
Battery types: Lead-acid batteries can be divided into three basic
with living quarters in which 12V/24V appliances are used. These are usually referred to as “leisure” or “domestic”
made up of lead plates which are packed together into a “cell”. Half the plates are positive, half are negative and Maintenance-free M.F. batteries: Some cynical people
The performance and life expectancy of the battery is very models. These are sealed to the point where they can dependent on the quality of these components and almost legally be transported by air without any special precautions.
Some manufacturers mark regular wet lead-acid batteries
categories. Firstly, there’s a starter battery, the main acid battery. They are designed to keep fluid loss to a function of which is to start the engine. The second type is minimum and also to avoid losing the hydrogen which is found in boats, caravans, motorhomes and most vehicles
given off during charging. The two disadvantages of such batteries are:
batteries. The difference between the two types of battery even an M.F. battery may need topping up and if they really is that a starter battery is designed to provide a massive are sealed, they have to be thrown away. Yet, with the surge of current for just a few seconds when starting an addition of some distilled water, they could perhaps carry engine. This won't take much current out of the battery and on working for several more years. the alternator will quickly charge it up again. A leisure 2) An M.F. battery should not be charged at a voltage of battery, on the other hand, has to provide a smaller amount higher than 14.4V. If it is, the battery will gas and it will of electricity but over a much longer period and the battery
may end up drained of much of its power. This is something Banner Batteries have got around these problems by that no battery thrives on and is one of the main causes of making batteries which are just as maintenance-free as premature battery failure. Most leisure batteries are any other M.F. battery but which can be easily checked and intended for just that - occasional leisure use - and are, in
eventually need to be topped up. then safely topped up if necessary.
Prices and models can change. For up to date prices, to find a dealer near you or for further information on any of our products, please phone us on 01327 312233 or visit our website:
www.roadpro.co.uk
4 1) After a period of time, especially if it’s been used heavily,
as “maintenance - free” but this is only true if they are used for what you might call “standard duties”. If they are not, they will need topping up with water like any other lead-
situations this type of battery is perfectly suitable but there are variations in performance between the cheapest models and more expensive ones due to the quality of materials used.
think that “maintenance-free” is just battery manufacturer talk for “Throw that battery away and buy a new one”. The only true “maintenance-free” batteries are gel or AGM
Leisure batteries themselves are available in several different types. The most common ones a r e o p e n l e a d - a c i d , maintenance- f ree, gel & absorbed glass mat (AGM). Wet
two big advantages: they are usually cheaper than the alternatives and they can be charged quickly. In most
Every vehicle or boat that requires artificial power for The third battery type is the genuine “deep-cycle” battery, propulsion or for running electrical appliances has to have designed to operate electric vehicles such as fork-lift a battery. So, considering how important batteries are, it’s trucks, milk floats and golf carts. These have a different cell surprising how little attention is paid to them by people who construction with much thicker, stronger plates than starter or leisure batteries, making them more resistant to
Power from your Battery reality, often not much different from regular starter
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