Meet today different kinds batteries. The most important indicators of a battery are capacity, number of charge-discharge cycles, and internal filling.

Battery types

The types of batteries produced are determined by the materials used in their manufacture.

Lead elements

Lead element

The housing is sealed. Inside, instead of liquid, a gel is sometimes used. There are valves for the release of gases. Nowadays, this type of battery is less common, but batteries of this type are still produced.

Advantages:

• Not high price.
• Good portability low temperatures.

Flaws:

• They are not completely sealed, despite the name - most often they must be operated strictly vertically.
• There are emissions of alkaline or acidic vapors - should not be used in unventilated areas.
• Do not charge to the limit - boiling liquid leads to failure.
• Low charge leads to a sharp reduction in capacity.

Nickel batteries

Nickel-cadmium batteries

U nickel cadmium batteries there is a “memory effect”, that is, if you have not completely discharged the battery, it is charged only to the level of the last charge. That is, it seems to remember the level of the last charge from which it was charged. To “erase” the memory of such a battery, nickel-cadmium batteries must be completely discharged before charging if you want to be sure that it will be fully charged, and not, for example, 80 percent.

It is better to store them at about 40% charge, due to irreversible changes in the case of a long-term discharged state.

Advantages:

• Low price.
• Possibility of high-speed charging.
• Retains capacity even at – 20°C.
• Number of charge cycles – up to 1000.

Flaws:

• A special charging system that provides a full discharge.
• Contains toxic cadmium.
• During the first 24 hours, it may lose 10% of its charge.
• During the first 30 days, it loses up to 20% of its capacity.

Batteries that have been stored for a long time must be recharged with 5 cycles so that they return to normal.

Another type is nickel-based batteries and metal hydrides.

NI-MH battery

Advantages:

• Less toxic than those containing cadmium.
• Ni-Mh batteries do not have a “memory effect” or it is only slightly pronounced.
• Stored with a full charge. For long-term storage, charge monthly.
• They have 50% greater capacity than those based on cadmium.
• Some are marked LSD (low self-discharge), that is, they discharge very slowly.

Flaws:

• Higher cost.
• The self-discharge is greater than that of those containing cadmium - they can discharge within several months of storage.
• After 200-300 discharge cycles, the capacity begins to decrease.
• The service life is shorter than that of batteries containing cadmium.

Lithium based batteries

Issued Various types produced lithium batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (li ion)

Batteries that are gaining popularity. They do NOT allow full discharge, so some models are available with full discharge protection.

Li-Ion with and without protection

Advantages:

• There is practically no “memory effect” - you can charge in any state.
• High capacity, lightweight, therefore it has also become widespread in the automotive industry, where the ratio of weight and power of the battery greatly affects the daily mileage.
• They discharge slowly - on average up to 3% in the first month, and 1% in subsequent months.
• High-speed charging almost does not harm further operation.
• Prices are gradually falling.

Flaws:

• All types of existing lithium-ion batteries do not tolerate cold well. Below 0 the capacity drops sharply.
• More expensive than batteries Ni htm and ni-cd.
• Tend to explode if not charged correctly.

It is recommended to charge them at half charge. The more charge-discharge cycles, the less battery life. Hence the conclusion - try not to allow a complete discharge. Keep these batteries as charged as possible to ensure they last a long time. For example, when using a laptop, keep it plugged in at all times. The laptop will be powered by current from the mains, and the battery will be used less often, for example, on the road, or where autonomous power is really needed.

Some even remove laptop batteries after charging them and store them separately to increase battery life. However, this method has its drawbacks - the laptop, in the event of a power outage or if the owner forgot to properly shut down the operating system, may not save important data. This also has a negative impact on operating system. In any case, you have to periodically charge the battery so that the charge level is as high as possible above 50%.

Types of lithium batteries

Lithium polymer batteries

Some of them are completely dry, and therefore durable and less fire hazardous. Their performance is better at relatively high temperatures. Therefore, they are often preferred for use in hot climates.

Lithium ion polymer

Lithium-ion polymer battery

Manufacturers in most cases still add gel inside the battery. The name of the battery remains the same as for completely dry ones - Li-Polymer, although lithium-ion polymer batteries would be more correct. They are most often used in phones and laptops.

The differences in such batteries are determined primarily by the cathode material. The cathode material can be recognized by the second letter in the battery name. For example:

• C - with cobalt. Such batteries have the highest capacity.
• M - with manganese. The capacity is smaller, but they have a maximum discharge current, that is, they are better used where needed high current recoil.
• F - iron - phosphate. They have a lower capacity, as well as a lower current output, but they can be recharged more than 1000 times in 1 hour.

Advantages:

• Reduced size and weight - thickness can reach a millimeter with low weight.
• Possibility of bending.
• Quite high capacity.

Flaws:

• Deep discharge is not allowed.
• The cost is higher than usual.

Li-Fe

Lithium-iron sulfite batteries have high recharge rates - up to 2000, charge quickly - 15 minutes, high output current - 60-130 A. They work well at temperatures of -30 C, require a special charger, and have more weight than conventional ones. Prices are still high.

Lithium iron sulfite

How to Determine Your Best Battery Type

First, determine what is most important to you and what is not. If weight and size don’t matter, but the price does, take it lead batteries. They are bulky, but the cheapest. If size, weight and price are important to you, take nickel batteries. If you need compactness and high output, and price is secondary, take lithium batteries. The most powerful are Li-Fe batteries. But also quite expensive.

Types of batteries

The types of rechargeable batteries produced vary significantly. Let's look at the most popular sizes.

Size "AA"

Voltage 1.2V, length 50.5 mm, diameter 13.5-14.5 mm. Usually called "finger".

Standard size "AAA"

Voltage 1.2V, length 44.6 mm, diameter 10.5 mm. Often called "little finger".

Standard size "16340"

3.7V, length 35 mm, diameter 17 mm.

Standard size "18500"

3.7V, length 35 mm, diameter 18 mm.

Standard size "18650"

3.7V, length 67 mm, diameter 18 mm.

Also designated 168A. The shape resembles AA or AAA, but is larger in size. The capacity of 18650 batteries is usually in the range of 2200-4000 mAh. The battery is charged by applying a voltage of 0.05 V, and ends with a voltage of 4.2 V. The recommended current is 0.5 A. In some cases, if you need to charge the battery urgently, a maximum voltage of 1 A is allowed. Charging time is 3 hours. More time causes overheating. Of course, all these operations must be performed by the charger. That's why it's so important to choose the right charger.

Standard size "26650"

Voltage 3.6 V, length 68-72.5 mm, diameter 26.5 mm.

Some models promise 1500 charge/discharge cycles. After this period, the battery capacity drops to 80%. Used in devices that require a powerful power source.

Standard size "32650"

Voltage 3.7 V, length 68 mm, diameter 33 mm.

In most cases, it comes with a protection board. Weight up to 150 gr.

Size “R14/LR14” or “Element C”

"Element C"

Voltage 1.5 V, length 50 mm, diameter 26.2 mm.

It looks like a small barrel. Weight is usually about 37 grams.

Size “R20/LR20” or “Element D”

Voltage 1.5 V, length 61.5 mm, diameter 34.2 mm.

Looks like a large keg, usually weighing from 66 to 141 grams. Batteries of this size (sometimes called “type d”) were among the first in the world to be produced - the first samples were released in 1898 by the future Energizer company.

Size PP3 (“Crown 9v”)

A battery of this type as a crown got its name thanks to the popular name for a battery in the USSR.

Voltage 9V, dimensions: 48.5 mm × 26.5 mm × 17.5 mm.

Weight 53 grams. Capacity – 120 mAh – 700 mAh. Some models have the ability to charge with a current of 4.5-5.5 V using a built-in current converter.

Battery type “Without case” or “flexible” batteries

Batteries without housing

Voltage 4.5-6 V, sizes from 3x10x12mm to 5x120x130mm.

Many people say that such a battery is more reminiscent not of a battery, but of an astronaut’s breakfast in metal foil. However, they are convenient in many cases when the device is compact and the battery compartment has a complex structure.

Charging device

There are several types:

• For one size of batteries or for different types of batteries.
• Specialized - for batteries, for example, based on nickel or lithium, or universal - for any type of battery.
• For a regular, that is, slow charge, and a high-speed, or super-high-speed charge.
• With various timers and charge control systems.

A normal charger should be able to:

1. Charge quickly with a current higher than that supplied by the battery.
2. Correctly control the charging process itself. That is, as you charge, reduce the strength of the charging current.
3. Be able to charge with both strong current and fast charging in case of urgent need to use the battery, and with low current, if it is necessary to charge the battery slowly and carefully. After all, the slower the battery charges, the less it heats up and the less prone it is to quickly shorten its service life.
4. The charger must be able to automatically turn off charging.

A good charger can usually charge completely different types of batteries - for example, “AA”, “AAA”, “186502”, “crown” batteries, in general, as many types of batteries as possible.

1. All other things being equal, choose one with a higher capacity. This will allow the device to work longer, there will be fewer cycles, and, therefore, a longer service life. Except in cases where the battery is at its highest larger capacity it is inappropriately expensive, which sometimes happens when new models are released. Using the calculator it is easy to calculate which ratio of capacity and price is most profitable. Even if the price-capacity ratio is slightly worse, it is preferable to take a battery with a larger capacity - everything is compensated by a smaller number of charge cycles.

For example, consider device 8.

It has the following features:

• charging batteries of different capacities;
• current adjustment on different batteries;
• protection if you insert the batteries backwards, confusing the plus with the minus;
• high temperature protection;
• shutdown after reaching full charge;
• setting up scheduled switching on and off;
• recharging old batteries;
• fast charging;
• can work with nickel-cadmium batteries with “memory”;
• additional connector for power supply from the car battery at 12 volts.

Buy high quality chargers - it's worth it. It is generally advisable to purchase batteries and chargers from the same company. They are often offered as a kit - both batteries and charger together - which is ideal. In the future, buy batteries from the same company and the same internal structure and you will never have problems charging the battery.

You can buy with confidence famous brands America (Duracell, Energizer, Kodak). Japan (SONY, MAXELL, Sanyo, National, Panasonic, Toshiba, TDK), Europe (PHILIPS, VARTA), Korea (Samsung, LG, TEKCELL, DAEWOO). The place where the batteries are made does not really matter. Usually this is China.

The main thing is not to buy a fake. It can be distinguished primarily by its unusually low price, low quality printing performance, lack of fine structure, poor seam sealing, short warranty and so on. Recently, China has also started producing good batteries, but here it is necessary to distinguish between “factory” and “handicraft” manufacturers. “Factory” brands do not counterfeit well-known brands, but promote their own. Such batteries deserve attention. They are of good quality and reasonable price.

Scientists from many countries around the world are constantly developing new types of batteries and improving existing species, which best meet the ever-increasing requirements of consumers and the conditions of their use.

All types of batteries have their own positive and negative characteristics, but so far it has not been possible to invent an ideal battery. Therefore, batteries with optimal characteristics are used in each specific device.

Let's look at the main types of batteries, markings, symbols and types of terminals.
For batteries manufactured to different standards, structural device terminals are different. European standard one of the most common is the “A” cone. The negative current lead has a diameter of 17.9 mm, and the positive lead has a diameter of 19.5 mm.
European type “E” terminals (screw).

Batteries produced in the countries of the Asian region have terminals of the “B” cone type. The negative current lead has a diameter of 11.1 mm, and the positive one has a diameter of 12.7 mm.

Antimony

Antimony batteries are classic, but also obsolete types of batteries due to the increased composition of antimony (more than 5%).
Lead in pure form is not used in the manufacture of rechargeable 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.

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 in domestic cars mobile phones 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. 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 minus of this type batteries - 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.

Hybrid

Hybrid batteries are replacing calcium batteries everywhere. Design differences consist in the fact that in 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. .

Gel

At the beginning of the 21st century automotive market appeared new type AKB – 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 a gel-like electrolyte, they can work without problems for eight to ten years, and when correct operation and appropriate maintenance - and up to twelve. Apply to gel batteries special sign, with the inclusion of 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.

battery according to EFB technology 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.

AGM

Distinctive feature 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 temperature environment. 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.

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 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. Feature alkaline batteries - they do not require disassembly. With proper use and care, batteries can be used for up to 10 years.

Lithium-ion

The chemical introduction of third-party atoms and molecules (“guests”) into the crystal lattice of the main material (“host”) has been known since the beginning of the 20th century. The name of the process, “implementation,” was translated into Latin and they began to talk not about implementation-extraction, but about intercalation-deintercalation (from the Latin iniercalarius, another spelling iniercalatus - inserted, additional). The reversible implementation of this process by electrochemical methods in non-aqueous media, carried out in the second half of the 20th century, created the experimental basis for the development of a new generation of secondary current sources.

The original name of such a battery was “rocking chair”, which then steadily changed to lithium ion battery(hereinafter referred to as Li-ion).
This product was first commercialized by the Japanese company Sony in the early 90s of the 20th century. The new generation of batteries has rapidly entered our lives and is confidently gaining positions in all autonomous products that require independent power supply with electrical energy. Li-ion has two main competitors in the market, Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) and Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. The basis for the commercial success of the Li-ion battery lies in the fact that it appeared at the right time and in the right place.

A wide range of carbons are used as anode material, which can be divided into two groups - carbons with a disordered structure, the so-called hard carbons, and graphites with an ordered structure.

Modern cathode materials are lithium metal oxides. These include mainly lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCo02), which is a solid-phase compound of lithium and cobalt oxides. This oxide satisfies everyone technical requirements, but has a high price and is also toxic. This encourages replacing, at least partially, cobalt with nickel, as well as other metals, in particular manganese. Li-ion uses a liquid electrolyte, which is a solution of fluorine-containing lithium salts such as LiPF6 in a mixture of carbonic acid esters (carbonates), for example, EC and DMC. A distinctive feature of lithium primary current sources is their long-term durability. Operating temperature range (-20… + 60 °C)

Primary lithium current sources have more wide range operating temperatures compared to traditional water elements. This is due to the use of non-aqueous solvents with a significantly lower freezing point and a higher boiling point compared to water for the production of electrolytes. However, the electrical conductivity of these electrolytes decreases noticeably with decreasing temperature. For low-current primary lithium current sources, this circumstance is not critical.

For Li-ion, the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity occurs not only in the electrolyte, but also in the electrode matrices. The superposition of these phenomena leads to the fact that the advantages of non-aqueous electrolytes that occur for primary lithium cells do not appear in Li-ion batteries. Hermetically sealed and automatic control The condition of the battery ensures its long service life. The complete absence of memory effects and other disadvantages makes Li-ion batteries very comfortable to use.

November 12, 2016

Choosing a new battery for a car is a delicate matter. As usual, difficulties arose for motorists due to the introduction of new production technologies and the expansion of the range of different types of automotive power sources. Now, before going to the store, even an experienced car enthusiast would do well to find out what types of batteries there are and which one is best to get for his car.

What types of batteries are there?

Electrochemical power supplies are used everywhere - in household appliances, industry, transport and other areas. But a car battery is special category products manufactured to solve specific problems:

1. Rotating the starter and starting the car engine - main function batteries. To implement this, it is important to provide a high starting current for a short period of time.
2. Power supply for systems operating when the engine is turned off. These include a control unit (controller), a clock, an alarm, and so on.
3. Assistance to the generator in case of peak loads on electrical network. IN emergency situations, for example, if a generator breaks down, this support can turn into a complete replacement.

If the last 2 tasks can be solved by almost any power source, then only certain types of car batteries - lead-acid - can cope with starting the power unit. Based on their design and performance characteristics, they are divided into the following groups:

• antimony and low antimony;
• calcium;
• hybrid;
• manufactured using Absorbent Glass Mat technology (abbreviated AGM) and gel.

All of the listed products have lead electrodes (jars), filled with sulfuric acid-based electrolyte and operate on the same principle. The differences are in the manufacturing technology and the use of additional materials that improve the properties of the batteries.

Separate categories include alkaline and lithium battery, whose device is somewhat different from acid voltage sources. How this affects the characteristics of products is worth considering in more detail, but first – about traditional car batteries, whose parameters are assessed according to the following criteria:

• ability to recover after complete discharge;
• degree of electrolyte evaporation;
• tendency to discharge during storage.

Products with antimony additives

This chemical element serves to improve the working properties of pure lead, namely to give it hardness and optimize the electrolysis process. Due to the latter factor, manufacturers refused to produce batteries with a high antimony content (more than 5%), since the electrolyte in them quickly boiled away, which is why motorists had to frequently top up with distilled water.

On this moment Only low-antimony batteries (less than 5% antimony) with the following characteristics are available for sale:

• the lowest price among all power sources intended for cars;
• ability to recover from deep discharge;
• the need to periodically add water, since the electrolyte still boils away;
• The battery tends to self-discharge slowly.

The attractiveness of low-antimony batteries lies in their low cost and resistance to changes in the on-board network, which is typical for domestically produced cars.

Other types of batteries are not so unpretentious; due to instability in electrical circuits, their service life is reduced. Products with antimony additives are considered low-maintenance, since they require periodic attention during operation.

Calcium nutrition sources

The difference between this type of battery is that calcium has taken the place of antimony in them, as evidenced by the corresponding marking on the case - “Ca/Ca”. Manufacturers also add silver in small quantities to some models. The purpose of these measures is to avoid boiling off of the electrolytic liquid and increase the reliability of products. If in antimony sources direct current the electrolysis process begins already at a voltage of 12 V, then in calcium the boiling threshold is 16 V.

As a result of modernization, the calcium battery for the car received characteristics opposite to the antimony one:

• independent discharge is practically absent;
• boiling of the electrolyte is close to zero;
• the battery may become unusable after 3-4 cycles of complete discharge, as it is unable to recover;
• In terms of cost, the product belongs to the middle price category.

That is, batteries with added calcium do not require maintenance and do not discharge, but they are afraid of instability of the car network and deep discharge. If they are operated under acceptable conditions, the product will last longer than an antimony voltage source.

Batteries - hybrids

The hybrid battery represents a compromise between antimony and calcium batteries both in design and properties. In it, the positive electrodes are made with the addition of antimony, and the negative plates are made of calcium and silver, hence the name. This type of battery is the most numerous in terms of the number of models produced, which indicates their popularity.

Hybrids are manufactured using Calcium Plus technology and are recognized among other products by the “Ca+” or “Ca/Sb” marking. Their characteristics are the golden mean between antimony and calcium batteries:

• products are resistant to power surges in the on-board network and complete discharge, with the ability to be restored;
• evaporation of the electrolyte occurs, but in small quantities;
• When stored, the battery discharges, but very slowly.

The mixed properties of hybrid batteries are combined with reasonable price . It does not exceed the cost of calcium food sources.

Instead of liquid - gel

Replacing the classic electrolyte with a gel composition is a high-tech solution that allows you to combine everything best properties in one product. This filler does not flow out when turned over, does not boil away, and is highly resistant to vibration, which causes the plates to fall off in conventional acid batteries. Hence the numerous advantages:

• the battery produces a high starting current until it is completely discharged;
• there is no self-discharge and liquid boiling away;
• The battery can be recharged many times after charging.

The only drawback of gel batteries is their high cost, which limits their widespread use in cars of all categories.

Other batteries

Alkaline and lithium-ion batteries are currently considered exotic, as they are quite rare in cars. The former are distinguished by their large dimensions and high price, although they are superior to traditional ones in terms of starting current duration, self-discharge and liquid evaporation. lead acid batteries. The electrodes in them are made of iron coated with cadmium and nickel hydroxide, and the role of the electrolyte is played by alkali (caustic potassium).

The lithium battery is still under development. With many advantages - high electrical capacity, low self-discharge and increased specific voltage, such a battery has serious disadvantages:

• inability to provide starting current for the car starter;
• afraid of deep discharge and loses electrical capacity over time;
• the number of charge-discharge cycles (up to 500) is not enough for use in a car.

In addition, such products perform noticeably worse at subzero temperatures and have a decent price.

When choosing a battery for a car, you need to consider its type and features, and not just focus on price. There are some tips on this matter:

1. For domestically produced machines, a low-antimony or hybrid power source is perfect.
2. Calcium batteries are the choice of owners of new foreign cars whose electrical equipment operates reliably.
3. For used cars of foreign brands, it is better to choose hybrid batteries. They will serve well on the latest generation of domestic cars.

Gel batteries are suitable for all passenger cars. Another thing is that not every car enthusiast can afford such a purchase, so they are most often used by owners of luxury brands and SUVs.

A car battery is a seasonal product, although it is used all year round. When the birds are singing outside and warm oil is splashing inside the engine, it is not difficult to crank the crankshaft - even a half-dead battery can do it. But in the cold it is not easy for the starter, and it strives to turn into a purely active resistance, consuming a very large current. As a result, the battery tends to fail, and the owner will have to go to the store.

How to choose a battery

If you do not want to contact the service or the help of the seller, then the selection algorithm should be as follows.

You need to take a battery that is guaranteed to fit in the niche allotted to it, be it engine compartment, trunk or something else. Agree: it’s stupid to miss by a couple of centimeters! At the same time, we determine the polarity: we look at the old battery and figure out what is on the right and what is on the left? It goes without saying that if the car is not European, then the terminals themselves may differ from most usual ones - both in shape and in location.

After that, choose a brand. Here we definitely advise you to be guided by the list of our winners of recent years and never “peck” at newcomers or outsiders. Even if their labels are the most beautiful. Here are some of the names that usually did not let us down: Tyumen (Tyumen batteries), Varta, Medalist, a-mega, Mutlu, Topla, “Aktech”, “Beast”.

We conduct comparative tests of various car batteries every year. The latest results, where we compared 10 batteries, can be seen. Those who wish can also familiarize themselves with the examinations of previous years: , , , etc.

The brand of the battery usually determines its price. The approximate cost of European car batteries with dimensions 242x175x190 mm in 2014 ranged from 3,000 to 4,800 rubles. for a regular battery, and from 6300 to 7750 rubles. - for AGM. The declared current and capacity will be obtained by themselves - based on the dimensions.

Important: if you have installed AGM battery, then it should be changed only to AGM, and not to “ordinary”. Reverse replacement is quite acceptable, but not economically feasible.

Now we charge the battery - even the one we just bought! Our experience shows: in stores, under the guise of a brand new battery, they happily sell you an “almost new” battery, from which they have barely managed to wipe the dust. We charge it, connect it instead of the old battery, and - the key is to start!

For those interested in technical details

Is it useful to “warm up” the battery by turning on the headlights before starting the engine in cold weather?

Why do you need a peephole indicator?

This indicator allows you to roughly estimate the density and level of electrolyte to find out whether your car battery needs to be recharged. By and large, this is a toy, since the eye is only in one jar out of six. However, many serious producers at one time they were forced to introduce it into the design, since the absence of a peephole was perceived by consumers as a disadvantage.

Is it possible to assess the condition of a car battery by the voltage at the terminals?

It's approximately possible. At room temperature, a fully charged battery, disconnected from loads, should produce at least 12.6–12.7 V.

What is hidden behind the term “calcium battery”?

Nothing special: it's ordinary publicity stunt. Yes, the “Ca” (or even “Ca - Ca”) icons on car batteries are increasingly present today, but this does not make them any easier. But calcium is a much less heavy metal than lead. The whole point is that we're talking about about very small (fractions or units of percent) calcium additions to the alloy from which battery plates are made. If it is added to both positive and negative electrodes, then the same “Ca - Ca” is obtained. All other things being equal, such car batteries are more difficult to boil, which is important for maintenance-free batteries. Such batteries have less self-discharge during storage. Therefore, “ordinary” batteries with additives of previously traditional antimony (they are usually indicated by the presence of plugs) are almost never found on sale today! Note that not everything about them is so bad: for example, they withstand deep discharges much better!

Why do car batteries produce the declared current for such a short time when tested?

Indeed, if the capacity is 60 A h, then arithmetic dictates: a current of 600 A should be delivered for approximately 0.1 hour or 6 minutes! But the real count is only tens of seconds... The thing is that the battery capacity depends on the current! And at the specified current, the battery capacity is no longer 60 Ah, but much less: approximately 20–25! The inscription 60 Ah only means that for 20 hours at a temperature of 25ºC you can discharge your battery with a current equal to 60/20 = 3A - and nothing more. At the same time, at the end of the discharge, the voltage at the battery terminals should not drop below 10.5 V.

Why choose a battery with a stated current of, say, 600 A, if the real need is half that?

The declared current is also an indirect indicator of the quality of the car battery: the higher it is, the lower its internal resistance! In addition, if we take an extreme case, when, God forbid, the oil has thickened so much that the starter can barely budge the crankshaft, then this is where the maximum possible current may be needed.

Is it true that if you install a car battery with a larger capacity than the standard one on your car, it will not be charged enough, and the starter may fail?

No it is not true. What will prevent the battery from charging fully? It is appropriate to draw an analogy: if you scooped up a glass of water from a bucket or from a huge barrel, then to restore the original level of liquid you will need to add the same glass from the tap - both into the bucket and into the barrel. As for the expected breakdown of the starter, its current consumption will not change, even if the battery capacity increases by a factor of a hundred or a thousand. Ohm's law does not depend on ampere hours.

Talk about future breakdowns is only appropriate for extreme sports enthusiasts who are accustomed to getting out of the swamp on the starter. At the same time, the latter, of course, gets very hot, and therefore a small battery, which runs out faster than a large one, can save it from fatal overheating by dying first... But this is a hypothetical case.

Let us immediately note one interesting nuance. IN Soviet times on a number army trucks It was strictly forbidden to install a larger capacity car battery! But the reason was precisely that when the engine did not want to start, drivers often turned the starters until the battery was completely discharged. The starters overheated greatly and often failed. And the higher the battery capacity, the longer it was possible to mock the poor electric motor. It was to protect starters from such bullying that there was once a requirement not to exceed the battery capacity above the “standard” one. But now this is irrelevant.

The million dollar question: what is measured in ampere hours?

At least not the battery capacity! This is a common misconception even among professionals. Which, however, are lost when asked how the product of current and time gives capacitance? Because the correct answer is: ampere-hour is a unit of measurement. charge! 1 Ah = 3600 C. And capacitance is measured in farads: 1F = 1C/1V. Those who don’t believe in this can turn to any reference book - for example, Boshev’s.

As for batteries, the confusing terminology is still alive. And what is actually a charge is called capacitance in the old fashioned way. Some textbooks are twisted - they say, “capacity evaluate in ampere hours." They don't measure, they evaluate! Well, well, at least this way...

By the way, in Soviet times it was incomparably easier to choose a battery - only by ampere-hours. For example, for a Volga you had to look for a 60 Ah car battery, for a Zhiguli -55 Ah. The polarity and terminals on domestic cars were the same. Today, it is not worth focusing only on ampere hours, since products from different manufacturers with the same capacity can differ quite significantly in other parameters. Let's say, 60 Ah batteries can have an 11% spread in height, 28% in declared current, etc. Prices also live their own lives.

And one last thing. If instead of “Ah” you see the inscription “Ah” (on the label, in an article, in an advertisement - it doesn’t matter) - do not mess with this product. Behind it are uneducated and indifferent people who do not have a basic understanding of electricity.

What is an AGM battery?

The main area of ​​application of AGM is cars with Start-Stop modes. This battery even says: Start Stop!

The main area of ​​application of AGM is cars with Start-Stop modes. This battery even says: Start Stop!

Formally speaking, an AGM car battery is the same lead-acid product that many generations of motorists are accustomed to, but at the same time it is much more advanced than its ancestors and in soon will completely push them out of the market.

AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) is a technology for manufacturing batteries with absorbed electrolyte, which is impregnated with the micropores of the separator. Developers use the free volume of these micropores for closed recombination of gases, thereby preventing water from evaporating. Hydrogen and oxygen leaving the negative and positive plates, respectively, enter the bound environment and recombine, remaining inside the battery. Internal resistance Such a battery is lower than that of its “liquid” predecessors, since the conductivity of the fiberglass separator is better compared to traditional “envelopes” made of polyethylene. Therefore, it is capable of delivering higher currents. A tightly compressed package of plates prevents the active mass from crumbling, which allows it to withstand deep cyclic discharges. Such a car battery can work even upside down. And if you break it into pieces, then even in this case there will be no toxic puddle: the bound electrolyte must remain in the separators.

Today's areas of application of AGM are cars with a “Start-Stop” mode, cars with increased energy consumption (EMERCOM, ambulance), etc. But tomorrow, a “simple” car battery will slowly become history...

Are AGM and regular batteries interchangeable?

Automotive AGM battery replaces "normal" by 100%. Is such a replacement necessary if the car only needs a serviceable standard battery - another question. But the reverse replacement, of course, is incomplete - it can be used in practice only in a hopeless situation and as a temporary option.

Is it true that a 50 Ah AGM car battery can be used instead of a regular 90 Ah battery?

Sorry, this is nonsense. How can you almost halve the charge and say that there will be no difference? Lost amp hours cannot be compensated by any technology, not even AGM.

Is it true that a high current from an AGM battery can destroy a car's starter?

Of course not. The current is determined by the load resistance, and in in this case- starter. And even if a car battery can produce a current of a million amperes, the starter will take exactly as much as from a regular battery. He cannot break Ohm's law.

On which cars is it undesirable to use AGM?

There is no such restriction. Even if we consider ancient cars with a completely faulty relay-regulator and unstable voltage in the network, then in this case the AGM car battery will die no sooner than usual, but even later. The voltage limit above which trouble can occur is approximately 14.5 V for regular batteries and 14.8 V for AGM.

Which car battery is more susceptible to deep discharge - AGM or regular?

Regular. After 5–6 deep discharges they can become completely “offended”, while for AGM this number is practically unlimited.

Can an AGM car battery be considered completely maintenance-free?

This is a matter of established terminology, which works more in favor of PR than science. Strictly speaking, this term is incorrect - both for AGM batteries and for any other car batteries. Only a AA battery can be called completely maintenance-free, but any lead-acid car battery, generally speaking, is not. Even the technology leader - the AGM battery - is sealed, let's say, 99%, but not 100%. And such a battery still needs to be maintained - check the charge, recharge if necessary, etc.

How are gel batteries different from AGM?

At least because gel car batteries... do not exist! The question is generated by the well-established incorrect terminology: gel batteries are used, for example, in electric forklifts or scrubber dryers. The electrolyte in them, unlike conventional car batteries with liquid acid, is in a thickened state. In batteries with AGM technology the electrolyte is bound (impregnated) in a special fiberglass separator.

Note that the most popular Optima battery is also AGM, and not gel at all.

What is battery reserve capacity?

This parameter shows how long a car with a damaged alternator will last on a cold rainy night. An expert will say differently: how many minutes will it take for the voltage at the terminals of a battery delivering a current of 25 A to the load to drop to 10.5 V. Measurements are carried out at a temperature of 25 °C. The higher the result, the better.

We hope that our tips will help you choose the right battery and refresh your memory of interesting “battery” information.

Good luck on the roads!

Today you can find gel, alkaline, hybrid car batteries, but they have one thing in common - they are all responsible for starting the engine, without which our iron horse simply will not budge.

Battery structure and functions

This very important element performs three main functions, thanks to which the start and further movement are carried out. Moreover, it doesn’t matter what “filling” the battery installed on the car has, the engine cannot be started without it. In addition, the functions of the battery include powering some electrical devices while the engine is not running. Also modern cars, one might say, are stuffed with a variety of devices, such as radio tape recorders, car recorders, navigators, alarms, and quite often the generator may not be able to cope with the load. In such a situation, the irreplaceable battery again comes to the rescue.

The design of a car battery is quite simple, which is why it breaks down very rarely; the most common situation is when it is discharged due to excessive load. Essentially, he is galvanic cell, in which reverse chemical processes occur. Thus, if it is discharged, then it is necessary to pass through it electricity V reverse direction. Electricity is then converted into chemical energy, and all the necessary active substances previously spent will be restored. And then he will be able to power the car’s devices again.

Types of car batteries - modern variety

Today, there are serviced and maintenance-free types of car batteries. The first ones are quite rare due to their shortcomings. First of all, their positive charge gradually turns into negative, which contributes to fast discharge. In addition, while driving on our imperfect roads, electrolyte leaks out, which also contributes to battery failure. At the same time, they have one advantage: they are not only easy to discharge, but also.

The second type battery device does not have the above disadvantages. These models include gel structures that do not require additional refilling, since this substance is quite dense in consistency and never leaks. Thus, it can be installed in any convenient position, this will not affect its performance in any way. There are also AGM batteries in which acid thickening is achieved through the use of fiberglass.

This battery is very susceptible negative influence broken electrical equipment, so it is important to monitor its condition.

In addition, the following types of car batteries can be distinguished:

• low-antimony ones, which contain only lead plates, they are discharged very quickly due to the boiling off of the water in the electrolyte;
• hybrid, consisting of low-antimony positive plates and negative lead-calcium plates, such batteries are most common in the automotive industry and discharge much more slowly than their predecessors;
• calcium type of battery, in this case only calcium plates are both positive and negative, their self-discharge is as much as 70% less than that of low-antimony ones, however, it will be incredibly difficult to charge them.

Marking of car batteries - read the codes

In order to know what we are purchasing, each manufacturing plant is required to mark car batteries; this gives all necessary information about the battery. So, the first digit always indicates the number of battery cells; there can be 3 or 6 of them. Depending on this, the nominal voltage of the battery is 6 or 12 V. Next come the letters ST, which stands for starter. The next number indicates the capacity and is indicated in amp hours.

In addition, the battery marking contains Additional information. “A” indicates the presence of a common cover, the letter “Z” means that the battery is flooded, but if it is not in the designation, then this is dry charged battery. The following letters provide information about the material from which the case is made: “E” – hard rubber, “T” – thermoplastic. If you see “M”, then the separator is made of polyvinyl chloride, and “P” indicates the presence of this part made of polyethylene.

How to choose car batteries?

After examining the shelves to see what types of car batteries and truck batteries there are (for trucks and for passenger cars), it becomes clear that when purchasing, you should be guided by the parameters of the vehicle. You can find them in the instruction manual. First of all, you need to pay attention to the battery capacity, which reflects the battery’s ability to power electronic devices with a faulty generator.

The most popular is the 90 A/h car battery, but this is not a universal parameter, so look at the car’s documentation before going to the store. To eliminate the long process of selection, purchase and, take old unit take it with you to the store. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the market is now full various fakes, therefore, when buying a battery, you must ensure that the country of manufacture, plant and date of manufacture are indicated.

In addition, the components must include technical certificate, and no defects are allowed on the body. You can often encounter a problem when the dimensions of the battery do not fit the slot provided for it under the hood. Therefore, it is better to indicate to the consultant when purchasing technical specifications car to find the battery model in the catalog. But this doesn’t always work, for some reason literally a couple of millimeters become critical, and the battery can no longer be put in place. The optimal solution is to bring the old battery to the store, but this is not always easy, because this unit has a very noticeable mass.