The majority of modern cars are powered by lead-acid batteries, which have been used for 150 years. Since Gaston Planté, a French scientist, designed it in 1859, the core technology and structure haven't altered all that much. With that being said, for every car owner, the question of car battery replacement is always confusing them. So, we will try to cover all the pointers to understand how a car battery works.
What's A Battery?
A battery is a "device that transforms chemical energy into electricity," as the NASA definition puts it. The cells that make up a battery. In fact, the energy itself is stored in these individual cells. They can convert the chemical energy they store into electricity when needed. Everything from your TV remote to your electric toothbrush runs on that.
Purpose of the Battery
Modern car batteries power everything from the starting motor to the car radio. Your automobile is nothing more than a non-moving lump of plastic and metal without it. Thus, a battery is important to start the car and to power other functions that a modern car possesses.
How Does the Car Battery Work?
Lead-acid technology is used in a car battery to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. It does this by using cells, which hold and store the energy until it is required.
Inside the plastic case of most basic car batteries are six cells arranged in a row. A lead plate and a lead dioxide plate are both present in each cell. Because they provide two volts for each cell when combined, the battery is sometimes referred to as a 12-volt battery.
The lead dioxide and lead plates react chemically to produce lead sulphate and ions when the rows of cells are immersed in sulfuric acid. Another chemical process takes place when the ions are allowed to migrate around the lead plates, producing hydrogen and lead sulphate.
Ion movement produces energy, which travels to the battery's positive or negative terminal. The starting motor and other important electrical systems get power from the two wires that connect to your car battery.
How does it recharge?
As you drive, the battery is recharged by a mechanism called an alternator. An alternator belt connected to the engine converts mechanical energy into electric current.
By turning a belt, an alternator generates energy that is utilised to operate the vehicle's electrical components. Some of the power it generates is sent back into the battery. The battery may be protected from overcharging thanks to the voltage regulator, which regulates the current flowing through it.
Types of Batteries:
Today's cars often feature lead-acid batteries. This is the most popular and reasonably priced kind available. Since its invention 150 years ago, the technology has proved to be very dependable. Lithium-ion batteries, which have a unique chemistry and a very high-performance level and capacity, are used in certain autos, such as electric vehicles.
- Starting Batteries
These types of batteries are all about starting power and are most often used in cars and commercial fleets. Starting batteries usually have more plates per cell, but each plate is thinner. This gives them more surface area, which gives them more "starting" power.
- Deep Cycle Batteries
Due to their ability to provide consistent power over a long length of time, these batteries are most often seen in boats and golf carts. Many electrical cars or additional equipment on a vehicle can operate for longer because of the larger reserve capacity of these batteries. When compared to a standard starting battery, deep cycle batteries often feature thicker plates, which means fewer plates per cell but a larger reserve capacity.
- Wet Cell and Dry Cell (AGM) Batteries
When it comes to lead-acid car batteries, buyers can choose between dry-cell and wet-cell batteries. The basic way they work is the same, but a dry-cell battery has a glass mat separator that soaks up and holds the electrolyte, while a wet-cell battery puts the plate in a solution of electrolytes. Usually, the Dry Cell battery is sealed and can't leak.
With a dry cell battery, you may attach the battery in more locations, such as the trunk, and in more positions, including lying on its side. If this happens, a wet-cell battery might possibly leak electrolytes. This severely restricts where and how a wet cell battery may be placed; it is better to keep them upright beneath the hood of the automobile.
What is a Start-Stop battery?
