What voltage to charge the efb battery. EFB Start-Stop Batteries. Learn more about EFB technology

Batteries using efb technology, which are rapidly conquering the market of European countries, are considered promising, especially reliable. Their advantages over lead models are quite obvious. For a small overpayment, you get an energy source that can work twice as long as standard products. Experts are inclined to believe that such products are optimal in terms of price-quality ratio.

Key Features

In principle, efb batteries are in many ways similar to standard samples. The plates are made of lead, but they are larger in their parameters. In addition, the plate is wrapped in a special microfiber bag. Provides constant impregnation of the electrolyte package, which serves to protect against sulfation, inherent in automotive power supplies of a standard type.

efb car batteries have gained popularity in Moscow for a long time, they can be safely recommended in the following cases:

  • first of all, efb technology batteries are designed for vehicles equipped with the Start-Stop option;
  • it is reasonable to buy products for owners of cars equipped with a large number of energy consumers;
  • automobile energy source is in demand by taxi drivers;
  • if the main driving mode consists of short cycles, long stay in traffic jams, it is reasonable to pay attention to such auto products.

As you can see, the catalog section is of particular interest to people who operate vehicles in difficult conditions. What does this mean in this case? Your decision to buy efb car batteries in Moscow will help ensure a normal charge to the power source, even on short trips. Here are specimens specially created for such conditions - short trips, long stays in traffic jams, city driving.


Only the facts

Let's try to figure out why the price for the entire range is slightly higher than for standard products. Here are some convincing arguments proving the expediency of purchasing such auto products for your car:

  1. We pay your attention to the increased sizes of lead plates.
  2. All plates are contained in special bags that are stably impregnated with electrolyte.
  3. We can safely say that each efb car battery has a longer service life, thanks to the use of new technological solutions.
  4. On various vehicles, it has been experimentally proven that the characteristics of the products presented in this section do not change for the worse with deep discharge. At the same time, the standard model loses up to 5% of its capacity with each deep discharge.
  5. There is a decrease in the corrosive activity of the electrolyte, which adversely affects the service life.
  6. Many manufacturers declare the expansion of temperature tolerances, efb batteries can be used at -50°C, operation is allowed at +60°C.
  7. Due to the reduced volume of liquid, the use of well-purified lead, the charging process is one and a half times faster than in standard samples.
  8. There is a significant improvement in the characteristics of the starting current.
  9. Thanks to well-thought-out protection, the models are completely safe for human health; such devices can be used in residential areas.

Application area

Initially, such devices were created for cars with the Start-Stop function. A standard instance is not able to withstand a large number of launches in one day. EFB technology ensures fast charging of the power supply. Even a short, short trip is enough to compensate for the energy costs of starting a diesel power unit in the winter.

We can safely say that efb batteries are the price of long-term, trouble-free operation of any equipment. Residents of Moscow order similar specimens for installation on boats, mounted in private homes as an energy storage device.

It's time to consider the pricing factor. If we compare this technology with more advanced, "advanced" GEL, AGM, it turns out that it is much cheaper. The consumer pays about 30% more than when ordering products created using classical technologies. At the same time, the service life with careful handling can actually reach 7 years.

How to choose

Never rush when ordering a power source for your equipment. Before you buy efb batteries, you need to read the recommendations of the company that produced the vehicle. Each product card contains information that will help in the selection. Data regarding dimensions, capacitance and starting current are given. The type of polarity is specified.

Making a purchase takes only a few minutes. Choose a convenient delivery time, a comfortable form of payment for auto goods. The warehouse program supports the availability of all types of products presented in the catalog. Direct deliveries from manufacturers have been established, long-term contracts have been concluded with many factories. Thanks to this, the portal offers reliable sources of energy at low prices in the capital. The annually growing client base is the best proof of the impeccable quality of the sold batteries, confirmation of the high level of professionalism of the employees. Regular customers get the opportunity to save on purchases, thanks to the developed bonus system. Contact us, our specialists will always provide informational support when choosing a reliable battery designed for various purposes.

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The introduction of EFB batteries was fueled by car manufacturers who, in pursuit of fuel economy and the environment, developed cars with Start-Stop technology, which turns off the engine at a traffic light and instantly starts when you press the gas pedal. It is clear that from such a mockery, simple batteries failed without even a year, tk. frequent discharges and charges led to the flowing of the active mass from the electrodes, and the battery loses its energy capacity.

What batteries are made using EFB technology

Over the past 5 years, EFB technology has been used in almost every third battery production in the world. The first among imported batteries, the EFB line appeared at Varta in the form of a Start-Stop series. Naturally, Bosch immediately had one in one the same Bosch S5 EFB. They were followed by other suppliers of automotive power supplies to German conveyors - Banner with the Running Bull line, Moll EFB and others.

After it became clear that the era of cars with the Start-Stop system had come to Russia, domestic factories also began to develop EFB batteries. The first such battery was produced by the AKOM plant - the grass-green Ultimatum battery, which cost was not so distinguishable from imported analogues. Then the Titan EFB and Tubor EFB battery factory from Nizhny Novgorod appeared on store shelves. They were followed by the Turkish Mutlu EFB, although at the same time they invented their own marketing abbreviation SFB for simple acid batteries (apparently wanting to see only three letters in their battery models). Slovenian TAB EFB and so on.

But there is one “but” - the assortment line of EFB batteries is limited, because few people will buy a battery for mass-produced cars, a battery twice as large as the 6-ST type familiar from ancient times.

How to charge an EFB battery

The EFB battery is charged in the same way as a calcium maintenance-free wet battery. Of the nuances, you may encounter the fact that these batteries were originally made for the conveyor, and as you know, they have their own quirks, so you can find batteries with hard-to-screw caps that require either a special key or skillful hands.

Not so long ago, one of the domestic manufacturers began the production of batteries using EFB technology (it is worth noting that there are already a lot of such manufacturers in Europe). A completely new technology will be more affordable (than say AGM batteries) and at the same time more durable (than conventional lead batteries). EFB is really the future of our battery industry, for such batteries it is worth overpaying slightly, because they work better and last about twice as long. Don't know what it is? Then this article is for you...


To begin with, as usual, the definition

EFB batteries ( Enhanced flooded Battery - Improved Wet Battery) - This is an improved lead battery that uses a liquid electrolyte. The plates are also made of lead (they are more massive than conventional batteries), each plate is wrapped in a special microfiber "package". This bag is permanently impregnated with electrolyte and adheres tightly to the active surface. It also protects the surface from negative consequences, such as that which occurs when.

This is really a step forward, it is worth noting that they can work many times more than, say, lead analogues from the previous generation.

Why does it last longer than conventional batteries?

Actually, everything is simple, as I wrote above, this is an improved technology. Let's run through the differences (compare with a conventional battery):

  • The plates are thicker. Due to their thickness, they last much longer
  • Each plate is wrapped in a bag of special material, which is impregnated with electrolyte
  • Double resource, due to new technologies
  • More resistant to deep discharges. While a conventional starter battery loses approximately 5% of its capacity with each deep discharge, EFB options recover to almost 100% capacity.
  • At high temperatures, the corrosion activity of the electrolyte is reduced by 40%
  • Work from - 50 degrees to + 60 degrees Celsius
  • Reduced electrolyte volume, about three times
  • Due to the smaller volume of electrochemical fluid and the use of purified lead, the charge builds up 45% faster
  • Improved performance, from 30 to 50%
  • Safe and virtually maintenance-free, can be used even at home, no electrolyte evaporation

As you can see, there are a lot of differences, and all of them increase the performance for the better. There are practically no negative points, but more on that later.

About electrolyte

Probably, now many people read and think that there are practically no differences between EFB technology and AGM! YES indeed, they are very similar, I would even say - very similar! However, this is a little different, the difference here is precisely in the electrolyte.

At AGM, it is liquid, but it is sealed in fiberglass mats, that is, it can be said that it practically does not spill out.

In EFB, it is as liquid as conventional starter batteries, if you want it flops between the plates, but there is less of it, and the plates themselves are, as it were, in envelopes, tritely wrapped.

That is, you need to understand that EFB technology is an intermediate step between a conventional starter battery and AGM. EXACTLY LIQUID ELECTROCHEMICAL LIQUID IS USED!

Moreover, it is not sealed inside the fiberglass, namely, it physically flows.

Where applicable

You know, initially such batteries were developed for the start-stop system, now in Europe this is very important. A regular battery won't be able to keep many starts during the day, but EFB technology (well, or more expensive AGM), easily. They charge very quickly, and therefore the generator, even with a short trip, will be able to compensate for the energy spent.

But manufacturers assure that the applicability is not limited to the car. It can also be used in boats, motorhomes, hybrids, electric cars, even in alternative systems, for energy storage. There are several undeniable advantages. It is resistant to deep discharges, fast charging and long service life.

Price and expediency of application

To be honest, many technologies, such as GEL or AGM, are not always cheap. Therefore, it is easier to buy several conventional batteries than one - gel. And how are things with EFB, maybe the price is also unreasonably high?

No, it's all right here. The cost is about 30% more than a conventional starter battery, not two or three times like the opponents.

For example, a Russian-made lead battery for 60 Ah costs from 4,000 to 5,000 rubles (I take normal options, not those made of foil). That EFB will cost 6000 - 6500 rubles, not critical more, right?

But the service life, starting currents, warranty and other amenities are much longer. YES, and there is a possibility that it takes not 4 years, but at least 6-7 years.

What is pleasantly pleasing is that Russian-made batteries have now been launched, that is, not only an imported product on the shelves.

Now watch a short video

Now you know what this technology is and you won't blink your eyes in the battery store.

I end here, I think my article was useful to you, sincerely your AUTOBLOGGER.

Types of lead acid batteries

At the moment, the following types of batteries are most common on the market:

    - SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) Sealed lead acid or VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) valve regulated lead acid. Made according to standard technology. Due to the design and materials used, they do not require checking the electrolyte level and adding water. They have low cycling resistance, limited low discharge capability, standard inrush current and fast discharge.

    - EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) The technology was developed by Bosch. It is an intermediate technology between standard and AGM technologies. Such batteries differ from the standard ones in higher resistance to cycling, charge acceptance is improved. They have higher starting current. Like SLA\VRLA, there are limitations to low battery operation.

    - AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Currently the best technology (in terms of price / performance ratio). Cycling resistance is 3-4 times higher, fast charge. Due to the low internal resistance, it has a high starting current at a low state of charge. Water consumption close to zero, resistant to electrolyte separation due to absorption in the AGM separator.

    - GEL (Gel Electrolite) Technology in which the electrolyte is in the form of a gel. Compared to AGM, they have better cycling resistance, greater resistance to electrolyte stratification. The disadvantages include high cost, and high requirements for the charge mode.

There are several other technologies for manufacturing batteries, both related to changing the shape of the plates and specific operating conditions. Despite the difference in technologies, the physical and chemical processes occurring during the charge - discharge of the battery are the same. Therefore, the charging algorithms for different types of batteries are almost identical. The differences are mainly related to the value of the maximum charge current and the voltage of the end of the charge.

For example, when charging a 12-volt battery using the following technology:

Determining the state of charge of the battery

There are two main ways to determine the state of charge of a battery, electrolyte density measurement and open circuit voltage (OCV) measurement.

NRC is the voltage on the battery with no load connected. For sealed (not serviced) batteries, the degree of charge can only be determined by measuring the NRC. It is necessary to measure NRC not earlier than 8 hours after the engine is stopped (disconnected from the charger), using a voltmeter with an accuracy class of at least 1.0. At a battery temperature of 20-25 ° C (as recommended by Bosch). The NRC values ​​are given in the table.

(some manufacturers may have different values) If the battery is less than 80% charged, it is recommended to charge it.

Battery Charging Algorithms

There are several most common battery charging algorithms. At the moment, most battery manufacturers recommend the CC \ CV (Constant Current \ Constant Voltage) charge algorithm.


This algorithm provides a fairly fast and “careful” battery charge mode. To eliminate the long-term stay of the battery at the end of the charging process, most chargers switch to the mode of maintaining (compensating the self-discharge current) the voltage on the battery. Such an algorithm is called a three-stage algorithm. The graph of such a charge algorithm is shown in the figure.

The specified voltage values ​​(14.5V and 13.2V) are valid when charging SLA \ VRLA, AGM batteries. When charging batteries of the GEL type, the voltage values ​​\u200b\u200bshould be set to 14.1V and 13.2V, respectively.

Additional algorithms for battery charging

Precharge A heavily discharged battery (NRC less than 10V) increases internal resistance, which leads to a deterioration in its ability to accept a charge. The precharge algorithm is designed to "build up" such batteries.

Asymmetric charge To reduce the sulfation of the battery plates, it is possible to charge with an asymmetric current. With this algorithm, the charge alternates with the discharge, which leads to the partial dissolution of sulfates and the restoration of battery capacity.

Equalizing charge During the operation of the batteries, the internal resistance of individual "cans" changes, which leads to uneven charging during the charging process. An equalizing charge is recommended to reduce the dispersion of internal resistance. In this case, the battery is charged with a current of 0.05 ... 0.1C at a voltage of 15.6 ... 16.4V. The charge is carried out within 2 ... 6 hours with constant monitoring of the battery temperature. Sealed batteries cannot be equalized, especially with GEL technology. Some manufacturers allow this charge for VRLA\AGM batteries.

Determination of battery capacity

As the battery is used, its capacity decreases. If the capacity is 80% of the nominal, then such a battery is recommended to be replaced. To determine the capacity, the battery is fully charged. They let it stand for 1 .... 5 hours and then discharge it with a current of 1 \ 20C to a voltage of 10.8V (for a 12-volt battery). The number of ampere-hours delivered by the battery is its actual capacity. Some manufacturers use other values ​​​​of the discharge current to determine the capacity, and the voltage to which the battery is discharged.

Control training cycle

To reduce sulfation of battery plates, one of the methods is to conduct control training cycles (CTCs). CTCs consist of several successive charge cycles followed by discharge with a current of 0.01...0.05C. When carrying out such cycles, the sulfate dissolves, the battery capacity can be partially restored.