Rechargeable battery from "AKB-TECHCENTER": varieties

Undoubtedly, each element of the car is very important in the process of maintaining the normal functioning of the entire structure. But no one can argue with the role of one of the key elements played by a car battery. This device is especially indispensable during the cold season. Therefore, the process of selecting a battery for your car is incredibly important, requiring care and certain knowledge. This material will tell you in detail how to choose a car battery, and the best one in all respects.

Antimony

Antimony batteries are classic, but also obsolete types of batteries due to the increased composition of antimony (more than 5%). Lead in its pure form is not used in the manufacture of batteries, so antimony is added to the plates to increase strength. This additive allows you to speed up the electrolysis process.

When the battery is operating, the temperature of the electrolyte rises and the water begins to boil away, which inevitably causes a drop in the electrolyte level in the battery. When servicing the battery, it is necessary to periodically add distillate. For this reason, this type of battery is classified as serviceable, since during operation it is necessary to periodically check the level and density of the electrolyte.

At the present stage, various types of batteries are used for cars, having a low antimony content or no antimony at all. However, antimony batteries were not completely abandoned. Their use is carried out where qualified personnel work. The advantages of antimony batteries include low cost and ease of maintenance. However, these advantages are no longer enough to maintain leadership in the automotive battery market.

Markings on batteries

To better understand how to choose a battery, it is advisable to understand the labeling of this device. Thanks to it, a potential buyer will find out all the necessary information regarding a particular car battery.

1. The first digit is the number of battery cells, which are usually 3 or 6. Depending on this, the nominal voltage can be 6 or 12 V.
2. Letters ST – starter.
3. A number measured in ampere-hours that indicates capacity.
4. Additional information: “A” – the presence of a common cover, “Z” – the battery is flooded.
5. The material from which the body was made: “E” – ebonite, “T” – thermoplastic.
6. The material from which the separator was made: “M” – polyvinyl chloride, “P” – polyethylene.
7. Starting current is indicated using standards: GOST (domestic), SAE (American), EN (European), DIN (German).
8. Date of manufacture.
9. Manufacturer's country and plant, address.

Also, by marking you can find out the type of battery regarding the aspect of the material from which it was made:

• Pb + Sb – lead + antimony technology.
• Sb + Ca – technology lead + potassium + some antimony.
• Ca/Ca – calcium + potassium technologies.
• Ca/Ca + silver – calcium/potassium technology + silver alloying.

Thus, based on the presence of all these marking data, the car enthusiast will be able to determine which battery is better.

Low antimony

The material for the plates is lead with a small admixture of antimony. Such batteries are universal and quite widely represented on the Russian consumer market. When developing this type of battery, the goal was to minimize the process of boiling off the electrolyte. An important factor in low-antimony batteries is that the degree of self-discharge is much less than in low-antimony batteries.

Low antimony batteries also require maintenance, although at a much lower frequency than antimony batteries. A slight evaporation of water still occurs, so sometimes it is necessary to check the level and density by adding distilled water.

Due to these circumstances, low-antimony batteries can be called low-maintenance. Advantages: low level of self-discharge during storage, low price, resistance to instability of vehicle on-board network parameters, long service life. Due to its advantages, this type of battery is most often used on domestic cars that suffer from instability of the on-board network.

Calcium

In the production of calcium batteries, lead plates are doped with 0.07-0.1% calcium. They can have different charges (negative or positive). Types of batteries of this type are marked “Ca/Ca”, which indicates the presence of calcium in the composition of the plates of both poles. Calcium significantly reduces the evaporation of water from the electrolyte, and therefore there is no need to control the level and density of the electrolyte. Due to the introduction of calcium, batteries acquire high vibration resistance and their corrosion resistance increases. A positive effect is achieved by introducing a small amount of silver into the plate material. This increases the efficiency and energy capacity of the battery.

Deep discharges are contraindicated for calcium batteries. It is strongly recommended not to discharge Ca/Ca below the 70% limit. Calcium batteries lose about 50% of their energy capacity even after one full discharge (level below 10V). This type of battery is recommended for those who often travel long distances and who need vibration-resistant batteries that can withstand constant recharges well (due to the duration of the trip).

If you are planning to purchase a calcium battery for your car, then you need to be sure that the electrical appliances are in good working order and that the voltage in the car’s on-board network is stable. An important disadvantage of this type of battery is its higher cost compared to antimony batteries. However, this disadvantage is offset by a high degree of reliability and excellent quality, as well as the lack of periodic monitoring of the electrolyte.

You can read more about calcium batteries here.

Pros and cons for the car

When considering calcium-type models, everyone is interested in the main advantages, since the product is not cheap and motorists want to know which option will be more profitable: calcium or lead. Let's get acquainted with the advantages of calcium batteries:

1. Ease of use. The battery is excellent for both experienced and novice motorists. Absolutely does not require any inspections, and after installation you can completely forget about its existence.
2. High power. The battery has increased power and conductivity. All this became possible thanks to new plate manufacturing technology. Now they are more compact and more frames fit inside. Thus, all the basic properties of the battery change.
3. System protection. Old style batteries constantly suffer from overcharging. As mentioned earlier, antimony batteries have a low operating voltage, so wear increases.
4. No risk of corrosion. Batteries differ in the composition of the plates, and are more protected in terms of the appearance of corrosive deposits.
5. Electrolysis of water. Most models do not require any inspection.
6. Good frame strength. The plates are manufactured using a completely new technology, so they are not afraid of increased vibration.
7. Very low self-discharge level. When fully charged, batteries can function successfully for a long time, and if we compare them with antimony varieties, the percentage increase is 70.
8. Huge service life. Now manufacturers provide approximately 5 years of warranty on products. However, it is worth taking into account certain requirements regarding the operation of the product.

Hybrid

Hybrid batteries are replacing calcium batteries everywhere. The design differences are that during their production two technologies were combined: one, when the plates are formed from an alloy of lead and antimony (positive electrodes), the other - from an alloy of lead and calcium (negative electrodes). As a result, this gave an undeniable advantage over calcium batteries.

For a hybrid battery, deep discharge is no longer fatal. For those car owners who use their car year-round, this now allows them to significantly increase the service life of the battery. Due to the fact that the electrolyte practically stopped boiling away, this type of battery began to be considered completely maintenance-free.

A key feature of hybrid batteries is better vibration resistance, which is highly valued by drivers. This result was achieved thanks to thick cast plates, the use of which made it possible to increase the service life to seven years.

It is a mistake to think that hybrid batteries are the best and should be used without taking into account the characteristics of each car. In addition, hybrid batteries still have a fairly high price. The A-Mega campaign produces car batteries using hybrid technology: Premium, Ultra+, Special. As a result, motorists received batteries with developments that are used in batteries of a higher price category. These batteries are marked with the designation Ca+ or Ca/Sb. Read more about hybrid batteries.

How to distinguish a fake?

The practice of communicating with potential clients continues to demonstrate a trend regarding the sale of counterfeit products and fakes. This problem also affected car batteries. Often, drivers in search of a better battery, having heard enough from the seller, are forced to endure problems with a counterfeit device. Therefore, it is imperative to explain how to choose the original.

First of all, it should be noted that the presence of instructions for the battery does not indicate its authenticity. In Western countries, batteries are quite rarely seen in regular stores, since they are usually installed in service centers. Therefore, you should not take into account the existence of this document.

In this case, you must pay attention to the following criteria:

1. The quality of the case - carefully check, including the plugs, find out whether the output terminals are smooth, and whether they have protective caps (counterfeits may not have them, since their manufacturers do not bother with such trifles).
2. Availability of markings about the country and production where the battery was manufactured, address information.
3. The presence of markings indicating the date of manufacture.
4. Availability of a technical passport included with the battery.

If this information is missing, then it is better to refrain from purchasing the device inspected. It’s better to spend more time and effort, but choose a high-quality battery that will ensure normal operation of the entire car, than to hastily acquire a fake. After all, such things, as you know, are often of poor quality.

Gel

At the beginning of the 21st century, a new type of battery appeared on the automotive market - gel car batteries. A distinctive feature of gel batteries is the use of a gel-like (jelly-like) electrolyte. This technology has made it possible to reduce the fluidity of the electrolyte, which contains aggressive sulfuric acid.

If the battery is handled carelessly, skin damage may result from contact with the electrolyte. In order for the electrolyte to acquire a gel-like state, silicon is added to it. The advantages of gel batteries include a low self-discharge rate. Gel batteries are maintenance-free.

What are the disadvantages of gel batteries?

• When charging a battery, a voltage of more than 14V leads to swelling of the shell.
• The use of this type of battery for cars is not recommended, as well as the fact that charging requires special chargers that have a charging function in a gentle mode.
• Gel batteries do not tolerate low temperatures due to the thickening of the electrolyte and a decrease in battery capacity.

Unfortunately, despite all the advantages, gel batteries are not “eternal”; filled with gel-like electrolyte, they can operate without problems for eight to ten years, and with proper operation and appropriate maintenance – up to twelve. Gel batteries are marked with a special sign, including the abbreviation “GEL”.

EFB

EFB - "Enhanced Liquid Filled Battery". The lead plates in EFB batteries are twice as thick as those in conventional batteries, as a result of which their capacity increases. Each plate is sealed in a bag made of special fabric, which is filled with liquid sulfuric acid electrolyte. Advantages of EFB batteries:

• operate at temperatures from -50 to +60°C;
• withstand deep discharge;
• minimal evaporation of electrolyte;
• able to withstand a large number of charge-discharge cycles.

EFB technology batteries are quite safe and require minimal maintenance. They can be charged at home because the electrolyte does not evaporate. Among the disadvantages, we can note the lower output power than that of AGM products.

Learn more about the AKOM + EFB battery.

AGM

A distinctive feature of this type of battery is that fiberglass microporous gaskets are mounted into the electrolyte between the plates using a special technology.

The purpose of such gaskets is to retain the gel and protect the electrodes from shedding. In principle, the main characteristics of the GEL and AGM batteries differ slightly. AGM batteries are less expensive; they have lower sensitivity to the applied voltage during charging, short circuit and ambient temperature. Resistant to vibration and shaking. They, like GEL batteries, require virtually no maintenance.

The disadvantages include a smaller number of charge-discharge cycles (about two times). They are more sensitive to deep discharge and have faster self-discharge. When charging, a special charger is required. The usual is often not suitable. A distinctive feature during maintenance is the need to carefully study the instructions before using it for its intended purpose. AGM batteries are more often used in conditions where a long period of charge and discharge cycles is required. When marking batteries of this type, the abbreviation “AGM” is used.

Options to select

Before you go to choose the ideal car battery, you should familiarize yourself with the list of parameters that the battery must meet for normal operation of the car.

The main characteristics are the following:

• Electrical capacity - demonstrates the ability of a battery to provide a certain amount of current in a certain period of time. There are two types: nominal (this is the capacity of a 20-hour battery discharge) and reserve (demonstrates the minute time during which the battery will be able to provide current).
• Power is the maximum value that the battery is capable of producing within 30 seconds at a temperature of minus 18 degrees.
• Overall dimensions - this characteristic varies depending on the distinctive features of a particular car. Among them, for example, the length of the wires, the site for installing the battery.
• Polarity is an equally important factor, because it is very rarely allowed to install a battery with direct polarity in place of a battery whose polarity is reversed.
• Battery weight.

Alkaline

Historically, alkaline energy sources appeared later than acid batteries, as a result, some of the disadvantages inherent in acid batteries are not present in alkaline batteries. Moreover, alkaline batteries have advantages over acid ones: they tolerate overloads and short circuits, work well at different temperatures, etc. All SB (which is why they are called alkaline) use alkali dissolved in water.

As for the composition of the chemically active mass of the plates, it can be different. In their production, nickel, cadmium, zinc, silver or other materials are used. Based on the type of use of the corresponding chemical elements in the negative plates (electrodes), alkaline batteries are divided into: zinc-nickel, cadmium-nickel, iron-nickel, silver-zinc, etc.

In alkaline batteries, the number of plates in the positive and negative electrodes is not the same. In a nickel-cadmium battery, the number of positive plates is one more than the number of negative plates. Alkaline batteries with nickel-iron plates have one more negative charge.

Based on the design of the electrodes (plates), cadmium-nickel and iron-nickel batteries are divided into lamella and lamella-free, and according to the method of execution - into sealed and non-sealed. The most widely used are lamella alkaline cadmium-nickel and iron-nickel batteries, both of which are similar both in design and in action.

For example, the vessels of these batteries are made from nickel-plated iron by welding; the composition of the active mass of the plus plates and the electrolyte are the same. For iron-nickel and cadmium-nickel plates, only the negative plates differ, but not in design, but in the composition of the active mass. During charging and discharging, the density of the electrolyte does not change.

The active mass of the alkaline battery is enclosed in perforated steel bags, or lamellas, and the lamellas are pressed into steel racks (frame) of the plates. For better contact and electrical conductivity between the active mass and the nickel-plated base of the plates, graphite flakes or Nickel petals are added to the active mass.

The nominal voltage of one battery is 1.25V. Most consumers operate on a voltage of 14-15V, so the batteries are an assembly. A characteristic feature of alkaline batteries is that they do not require disassembly. With proper use and care, batteries can be used for up to 10 years.