Technology is developing very rapidly. Car owners did not have time to figure out the differences between AGM and GEL, when a newcomer appeared on the market - EFB batteries. What is it, what are their features and differences, how much do they cost and many other questions, we hope, will be dispelled after reading this material.
What is EBF? Applications, design features and performance characteristics of EFB batteries
Enhanced Flooded Battery translated from English means "improved liquid-filled battery." Lead plates, unlike traditional batteries, are almost half as thick in EFB, which increases their capacity and charging speed. Each plate is enclosed in a separate envelope made of special microfibre, filled with liquid sulfuric acid electrolyte. Such a measure helps protect the surface of the plates from sulfation, and in the event of shedding of the active mass, from a short circuit and premature failure of the battery. In short, EFB batteries have the following nice features:
- resistance to deep discharges, after which EFBs are able to restore capacity to almost 100%, unlike conventional batteries, which lose part of their resource;
- can operate in a wide temperature range from -50 to +60 °C;
- more than a third improved starting current performance;
- liquid electrolyte evaporation is reduced to almost zero;
- doubling the number of charge-discharge cycles without loss of functionality.
Where are EFB batteries used?
Initially, the impetus for the creation of a qualitatively new technology for the manufacture of batteries was the spread in Europe of cars equipped with the “start-stop” system. When the car is stopped in the "Stop" mode, the engine is automatically turned off, and when the clutch is pressed and the brake is released, it starts quickly. At such moments, the load from all electrical appliances falls on the battery, and without an increase in charge acceptance, a conventional battery simply does not have time to fully charge in the “Start” mode. It is enough to discharge an ordinary antimony battery several times “to zero” to make it the main raw material for smelting cargo for fishing. Another situation in which EFB batteries will be needed is the use of powerful car audio systems in the car. The main problem is that amplifiers cannot work well at voltages less than 12 V and at times of peak loads (bass or a strong broadband signal) they will emit unpleasant wheezing. EFB technology in batteries is designed to solve just such problems. Thanks to the design features, it perfectly copes with the tasks.
Thus, the main purpose of EFB batteries is frequent use in urban environments, as well as the use of high-quality car audio systems. And one of the industries where they will be indispensable is a taxi and other passenger transport, the drivers of which love loud music :-).
Overview of domestic and foreign models of EFB batteries
Almost all stores that distribute spare parts for cars offer to buy Russian-made EFB batteries or those manufactured by large European companies. The cost of the product will depend on the capacity, power and purpose of the battery.
- TAB Magic. Slovenian manufacturer, in the range of models of which there is a line of batteries manufactured using EFB technology. At the same time, not only batteries for cars are offered for sale, but also for “trucks”. The cost starts from 3000, but the main difficulty of the purchase is the absence in stores;
- Varta. The company presents a series called Blue Dynamic Start-Stop, which includes batteries with EFB technology, which differ in their capacity and price. The minimum cost of such models starts from 3500 thousand for the standard 60 Ah;
- exit. An American company that has been on the market since the 19th century and specializes in the production of high-quality batteries. The EFB line is represented by the Start & Stop series, the cost of which starts from 6000 rubles. for the lowest capacity sample.
Russian EFB batteries
- AKOM EFB. Products from the Russian factory of the same name. The manufacturer guarantees excellent performance and offers seven types of batteries with capacities from 55 to 100 Ah. The cost of products, given the declared parameters, is very competitive. For example, the price of an AKOM EFB 60 battery is about 4,000 rubles;
- Ultimatum. The battery line of the same manufacturer with improved production technology. Thanks to special additives in the electrolyte, such domestic EFB batteries have improved charge acceptance and service life. The cost of such models starts from 6000 rubles, depending on the capacity and size;
Since EFB is gaining more and more popularity and demand every year, we should expect this technology to appear in the product range of both domestic and foreign manufacturers.
Features of charging EFB batteries
Charging an EFB battery does not fundamentally differ from this process for a traditional AMG battery, since their design is very similar. The main rule that should be observed in its implementation is the use of high-quality (better than intelligent) memory and strict adherence to the instructions of the battery. The charger for the EFB battery must provide a charging voltage not exceeding 14.4 V. The device must also have a current indication, since it is recommended to monitor it during charging of this type of battery.
Attention! The whole process must proceed at an electrolyte temperature not higher than +45 °C, exceeding this threshold leads to an increase in corrosion processes.
How to properly charge an EFB battery?
In the operating instructions for a battery of this type from Varta, this is given only two sentences. Connect the charger to the appropriate terminals, observing the polarity. The charging process can be considered completed when the charging readings fall below 2.5 A. If the charger is equipped with current and voltage indication devices, then the end of the process will be considered when both indicators stop changing.
When charging batteries made with EFB technology, it is not recommended to use the boost mode, as the result may be damage to the battery due to excessive gas formation. It is also not allowed to open the plugs, since in this case the chemical equilibrium will be disturbed, leading to a change in the functional qualities of the battery.
The difference between EFB and AGM batteries
A modern motorist has the opportunity to choose among a variety of batteries. In this regard, the question arises which battery is better than EFB or AGM. Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the final word must be said by the owner of the vehicle after weighing all the positive and negative sides. If we compare EFB and , as the closest in design, then the former have the following differences:
- increased thickness of each individual plate, ensuring the duration of work;
- the use of a smaller amount of electrolyte and the use of specially purified lead leads to an acceleration of charge accumulation by 45%;
- greater reliability in engine operating modes in conditions of frequent stops;
- are cheaper.
The disadvantages of EFB of this type of battery include:
- less power in comparison with, which can affect with a large number of energy consumers;
- do not support Brake Energy Regeneration technology.
The AKOM company, in partnership with a specialized enterprise specializing in the manufacture of electronic products for the Ministry of Defense, has completed the design and development of the production of 20A and 7.5A chargers under the AKOM trademark.
The reason for this work was the desire of users of AKOM batteries to have the possibility of guaranteed charging of modern calcium batteries during operation and maintenance. Chargers on the market today, mostly foreign-made with a dubious level of quality, as a rule, do not meet their declared characteristics, low charging efficiency and can only slightly recharge the battery, a full charge is out of the question.
The development process lasted more than 1.5 years, including the calculation of charging algorithms and writing a program, the development of a circuit solution, the selection of a reliable component base, production preparation, testing on various types of batteries and checking the reliability of operation in various operating modes. The release of devices is organized in accordance with the rules of military acceptance, which guarantees high quality and reliability.
Features and benefits of AKOM chargers:
2. The devices have been tested and approved by the testing laboratory of CJSC "AKOM" for all types of batteries.
3. Chargers "AKOM" in automatic mode provide an optimal charging algorithm that eliminates the destruction of the electrodes, excessive boiling, overheating of the electrolyte and premature failure of the battery.
4. Guaranteed charge of all types of batteries in automatic and manual mode
5. Ability to enter your own charging modes in automatic mode and save it in the memory of the memory (conveyor charge in automatic mode, by reconnecting wires from one battery to another, without turning off the power of the memory)
6. High level of stabilization of the set parameters.
7. Analysis of the state, the degree of charge of the battery.
8. Protection against polarity reversal, short circuit, overheating.
Professional charger 16V/20A "AKOM" for all types of 12V lead-acid batteries.
The main characteristics of the charger "AKOM" | Food | 220V ±10% / 50Hz |
| 12V | |
| Measured voltage | 0V - 20V (limited to 30V) |
| Charge current | 0.1A - 20A |
| 16V / 14.4V | |
| 16.3V | |
| Stepped, in steps of 0.1V, 0.1A. | |
| Two circuits - electronic and fusible insert | |
| Memory overheating protection | |
| Memory operating modes |
|
| Charge batteries with a voltage of 4V or more. |
|
| No more than 370 W. | |
| -40°С ÷ +55°С | |
| Power Cord Length | 1.1 m |
| 1.5 m | |
| Device weight | 6.5 kg |
| dimensions | 232x225x110 |
| Guarantee |
12 months |
Charger 16V / 7.5A "AKOM" for all types of 12V lead-acid batteries. Ideal for batteries up to 75 Ah.
Characteristics of the charger "AKOM" 16V / 7.5A| Food | 220V ±10% / 50Hz |
| Rated battery voltage | 12V |
| Charge current | 0.1A - 7.5A |
| Final charge voltage in "AUTO" mode (automatic) | 16V / 14.4V |
| Voltage limitation in "MANUAL" mode (manual) | 16.3V |
| Voltage, current regulation | Stepped, with a step of 0.5A. |
| Battery reverse polarity protection | Two circuits - electronic and fusible insert. |
| Protection against overload of the output of the memory by current and short circuit | Two circuits - electronic and fusible link |
| Memory overheating protection | Two circuits - forced ventilation and charging current control. |
| Protection of the charger for power supply 220V ±10% / 50Hz from overvoltage and overloads | Electronic - self-resetting fuse. |
| Memory operating modes |
|
| Ability to charge deeply discharged batteries in the "MANUAL" (manual) and "AUTO" (automatic) modes | Charge batteries with voltage from 0V and above. |
| Power consumption in charge mode at maximum charge current | No more than 150 watts. |
| Operating temperature range | -40°С ÷ +55°С |
| Power Cord Length | 1.1 m |
| Length of wires for connecting the battery | 1.5 m |
| Device weight | 2 kg |
| dimensions | 214x100x125 |
| Guarantee | 12 months |
Akom car batteries are produced using the Calcium-Calcium technology. Drawing the lead melt with subsequent rolling without adding antimony makes car batteries more environmentally friendly. The "stretch + notch" method makes the plates stronger than those made by the casting method. On such elements, shedding of the working layer and chemical corrosion are practically not observed. Due to modern technologies, the value of specific capacity increases, the charge is faster.
New batteries retain their original performance for 3 years from the date of manufacture. A high-quality sealed case eliminates accidental loss of electrolyte, batteries are practically maintenance-free.
Benefits of Akom batteries
Among the advantages of this brand are the following:
- Thanks to the presence of the manufacturer's own scientific and laboratory base, the costs of developing new technologies are reduced: the price of an AKOM battery is lower than the average market price in the segment.
- AKOM JSC is a supplier of OEM consumables for the GM AvtoVAZ concern. This automaker recommends purchasing an Akom battery after the stock battery has reached its end of life.
- The company is included in the official register of the "One Hundred Best Goods" catalogue.
- The company is constantly developing, introducing new models of batteries into production.
As an official dealer of AKOM batteries, we offer the entire factory line: from 55 to 190 Ah. A warranty and all accompanying technical documentation is provided. You can buy an Akom car battery with straight or reverse polarity for different car models.
Now many modern cars use the so-called "Calcium batteries", the designations "Ca / Ca", or simply "Ca". These are modern batteries with improved performance, but they differ from their older counterparts (antimony and hybrid batteries). Moreover, the charging of these batteries is especially different, that is, they need to be charged differently, the usual cycle used for “old” car batteries WILL NOT SUIT! And the old chargers themselves are also not good ...
From the introduction, you realized that now there are only three main technologies for the production of batteries (if you do not take into account gel, AGM and others, they are still not so common):
- antimony
- calcium
- hybrid
I examined the technology in detail in the article, read it interesting. In short, each of the technologies differs from the other in impurities in the lead (minus) and positive (made of dioxide) plates. Antimony technology adds antimony metal in very small percentages, calcium technology (calcium and a little silver), but the hybrid battery combines both antimony and calcium, sometimes silver.
When should you recharge your battery?
Ideally, the battery needs to be recharged several times a month, whether it is winter or summer, both periods are difficult for the battery.
But before thoughtlessly charging, you need to understand - is it worth it? And there are several ways to check:
- The very first and this does not depend on battery technology is measuring the voltage at the battery terminals. equals - 12.7V., this is a kind of 100% charge. If your voltage is 11.6 - 11.7V., This is already a discharged battery, almost to zero. A voltage of 12.2 indicates a discharge of 50%! Urgently need to recharge otherwise the process turns on.
- If the battery is serviceable, the process is much easier. However, you need to have a so-called "hydrometer". This is a special device for measuring the density of the electrolyte. The density should be within 1.27 g/cm3. If the value is lower, then the battery should also be recharged.
- Well, and the most, perhaps, the simplest - if the battery "does not turn" the engine, first we try to charge it.
In any case, no matter how perfect your battery is, it is advisable to monitor it at least once a month. Live longer.
Normal charging
If we take "antimony" and "hybrid" batteries, then their charging is of the usual regular nature. That is, we simply charge the battery with a current of 10% of its capacity (if the battery is 60 Amp * h, then 6A is needed) and a voltage of 13.8 - 14.5 Volts. After the charge current drops, it means the battery is charged, if you have it serviced, you can unscrew the plugs and see if bubbles should go from above.
In general, charging can be different, it's one thing when you recharge the battery, a few hours are enough for you, and many put it on at night with a small current, say 2 Amperes. Another thing is when you need to fully charge the battery, here it can stand for “days” at a low current.
Features of calcium battery
This technology has a lot of advantages, such as high starting currents, high capacity, low maintenance (virtually no electrolyte evaporation), low self-discharge, etc. But the disadvantages of this battery can be called - instability to deep discharges (literally three to four times and the capacity drops at times), the ability to charge them, they are quite expensive when compared with competitors.
To be honest, a calcium battery is made for dummies, that is, for people who do not understand at all how and what to do with the engine compartment of a car and do not look there for weeks, or maybe months. It is closed in an impenetrable case, there is practically no electrolyte evaporation, which means it can work for years.
But the fact is that the car in our conditions is used in different temperature ranges - for example, extremely low temperatures in winter, which can lead to undercharging of the battery (after all, a cold battery does not charge well), especially on short trips. And in summer, the electrolyte can still escape from high temperatures through the high pressure valve (it is in all maintenance-free options).
Therefore, the simple truth is that the battery, whether calcium or any other, needs to be monitored, and I emphasize once again, PREFERRED ONCE A MONTH OR MORE.
But often in practice everything turns out quite the opposite, we pay attention only when problems appear, for example, the voltage at the terminals drops to 11.8 - 12V., And this, as I said above, is almost “zero” a discharged battery. That is, our "calcium" needs to be recharged in order to achieve 12.7V, but with a simple "charger" this does not work! But why?
Charging the calcium battery
The manufacturing technology of this battery implies another charge! The thing is that for a calcium battery, you need a special charger, VIMPEL - 55 is ideal, with a programmable cycle (not advertising, but it's really good). Also, this "charger" should give out a charge voltage of 16.1 - 16.5V in this way, AND ONLY THIS way, you can recharge the calcium battery up to 100%. If your charger gives out a maximum of 14.8V, and then the electronics cut off, then the battery will “fill up” by only 45 - 50%, if the limit is 15.5V, then by 70 - 80%, with such indicators you will never reach an electrolyte density of 1.27 g/cm3
Therefore, before trying to restore the “CA” “CA / CA” battery, you need to find a charger that is capable of delivering a voltage of 16.1 - 16.5 Volts. You won't achieve anything with conventional devices.
Now you may have a fair question, if such a large voltage is needed for charging, then how is it in a car? After all, the generator often does not produce such a voltage?
It's true, generators, even modern cars, give out no more than 15 volts! I consulted with auto electricians, and this is what they told me - the generator often maintains the charge level of the calcium battery, that is, the generator simply does not allow it to be discharged. BUT frosts and other "charms" of our Russian roads still drain the battery! And so it must be checked and monitored! CORRECTLY RECHARGE WHEN NECESSARY.
Now we are approaching the most interesting, namely the algorithm, I took it from the instructions "ORION VIMPEL - 55" (everything is described in detail there).
- We supply a voltage of 16.1 Volts and 10% of the capacity of your battery, that is, if the battery is 60 Amp * h, then we supply 6A, if 55 Amp * h - 5.5A, etc. We charge in this mode until the current drops to 0.5 Amperes. If the battery is heavily discharged, it can take quite a long time, sometimes 2 - 3 hours.
- Next, we need to make the so-called "swing". On "VYMPEL - 55", there are several modes, we need to set the First mode - voltage 16.1V, third mode - voltage 13.2V, set the current to 3 Amperes. And plug in the charger. What's the point - the voltage rises to 16.1V with a current of 3 Amperes, then when this value is reached, the voltage is cut to 13.2V and there is no current at all, that is, 0 Amperes, this is a kind of respite, the voltage will drop smoothly. After that, the first mode is connected again, that is, it again grows to 16.1V and a current of 3A, after it is reached, it again drops (third mode) to 13.2V and a current of 0A.
How do you know when the battery is fully charged? The interval for reaching 16.1 Volts can initially reach several minutes (sometimes 20-30 minutes), but as you charge, this voltage will be reached faster and faster. The lower limit, at 13.2V, will also initially reach very quickly, but as it charges, the pause, that is, the voltage drop to 13.2V, will stretch for minutes. After the charge interval is a few seconds, less than one minute, and the “fall” to the lower bar is several minutes, MEAN your calcium battery is CHARGED! Here is such an easy algorithm, as you can see, nothing complicated.
