Battery Knowledge

Battery Knowledge

Literature / Battery Knowledge

Motorcycle Battery Knowledge

1.What is a Battery?
"A battery, can be any device that stores energy for later use. The word battery, is limited to an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electricity, by use of a galvanic cell. A galvanic cell is a fairly simple device consisting of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) and an electrolyte solution. Batteries consist of one or more galvanic cells. "

"A battery is an electrical storage device. Batteries do not make electricity, they store it. As chemicals in the battery change, electrical energy is stored or released. In rechargeable batteries this process can be repeated many times. Batteries are not 100% efficient - some energy is lost as heat and chemical reactions when charging and discharging. If you use 1000 watts from a battery, it might take 1200 watts or more to fully recharge it. Slower charging and discharging rates are more efficient. A battery rated at 180 amp-hours over 6 hours might be rated at 220 AH at the 20-hour rate, and 260 AH at the 48-hour rate. Typical efficiency in a lead-acid battery is 85-95%, in alkaline and NiCad battery it is about 65%."

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2.What are some of the major types of lead acid batteries?

"Batteries are divided in two ways, by application (what they are used for) and construction (how they are built). The major applications are automotive, marine, and deep-cycle. Deep-cycle includes solar electric (PV), backup power, and RV and boat "house" batteries. The major construction types are flooded (wet), gelled, and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). AGM batteries are also sometimes called "starved electrolyte" or "dry", because the fiberglass mat is only 95% saturated with Sulfuric acid and there is no excess liquid. Flooded may be standard, with removable caps, or the so-called "maintenance free" (that means they are designed to die one week after the warranty runs out). All gelled are sealed and a few are "valve regulated", which means that a tiny valve keeps a slight positive pressure. Nearly all AGM batteries are sealed valve regulated (commonly referred to as "VRLA" - Valve Regulated Lead-Acid). Most valve regulated are under some pressure - 1 to 4 psi at sea level. "

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3.What is a Starting battery?

"Starting batteries (sometimes called SLI, for starting, lighting, ignition) are commonly used to start and run engines. Engine starters need a very large starting current for a very short time. Starting batteries have a large number of thin plates for maximum surface area. The plates are composed of a Lead "sponge", similar in appearance to a very fine foam sponge. This gives a very large surface area, but if deep cycled, this sponge will quickly be consumed and fall to the bottom of the cells. Automotive batteries will generally fail after 30-150 deep cycles if deep cycled, while they may last for thousands of cycles in normal starting use (2-5% discharge). "

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4.AGM Battery Advantages

"Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries (AGM Batteries)
do not leak, freeze and do not require any maintenance.
An AGM Battery can be stored for a long period of time without charging. "

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5.What is a Sealed Maintenance Free Battery?

"Sealed batteries are known as maintenance free batteries. They are made with vents that (usually) cannot be removed. A standard auto or marine maintenance free battery is sealed, but not fully leak proof. Sealed batteries are not totally sealed since all batteries must allow gas to vent during charging. There are sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries that are non-spillable. Please information on our SLA batteries, see AGM and Gel batteries below."

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6.What is a AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat Battery?

"The newer type of sealed nonspillable maintenance free valve regulated battery uses "Absorbed Glass Mats", or AGM separators between the plates. This is a very fine fiber Boron-Silicate glass mat. These type of batteries have all the advantages of gelled, but can take much more abuse. These are also called "starved electrolyte.” Just like the Gel batteries, the AGM Battery will not leak acid if broken."

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7.Advantages of the AGM battery?

"The advantages of AGM batteries are no maintenance, sealed against fumes, hydrogen, leakage, or non-spilling even if they are broken, and can survive most freezes. AGM batteries are "recombinant" – which means the Oxygen and Hydrogen recombine inside the battery. These use gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates to recombine them back into water while charging and prevent the loss of water through electrolysis. The recombining is typically 99+% efficient, so almost no water is lost. Charging voltages for most AGM batteries are the same as for a standard type battery so there is no need for special charging adjustments or problems with incompatible chargers or charge controls. Since the internal resistance is extremely low, there is almost no heating of the battery even under heavy charge and discharge currents. AGM batteries have a very low self-discharge rate (from 1% to 3% per month). So they can sit in storage for much longer periods without charging. The plates in AGM's are tightly packed and rigidly mounted, and will withstand shock and vibration better than any standard battery."

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8.What is a Gel Cell Battery?

"A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, this helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing. "Gel Cell" batteries are non-spillable even if they are broken. Gel cells must be charged at a lower voltage (C/20) than flooded or AGM to prevent excess gas from damaging the cells. Fast charging them on a conventional automotive charger may permanently damage a Gel Battery. "

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9.What is the Amp Hour (Ah) rating?

"An amp-hour is one amp for one hour, or 10 amps for 1/10 of an hour and so forth. It is amps X hours. If you have something that pulls 20 amps, and you use it for 20 minutes, then the amp-hours used would be 20 (amps) X .333 (hours), or 6.67 AH. The accepted AH rating time period for batteries used in solar electric and backup power systems (and for nearly all deep cycle batteries) is the "20 hour rate". This means that it is discharged down to 10.5 volts over a 20 hour period while the total actual amp-hours it supplies is measured. Sometimes ratings at the 6 hour rate and 100 hour rate are also given for comparison and for different applications. The 6-hour rate is often used for industrial batteries, as that is a typical daily duty cycle. Sometimes the 100 hour rate is given just to make the battery look better than it really is, but it is also useful for figuring battery capacity for long-term backup amp-hour requirements. "

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10.What is a VOLT?

"A Volt is the unit of measure for electrical potential. "

11.What is Electrolyte?

"In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is sulfuric acid diluted with water. It is a conductor that supplies water and sulfate for the electrochemical reaction."

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12.What is the proper electrolyte level?

"Liquid levels should be 1/8 inch below the bottom of the vent well (the plastic tube that extends into the battery). The electrolyte level should not drop below the top of the plates."

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13.Do I ever need to add acid to my battery?

"Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid. For a standard auto or marine battery, only distilled, deionized or approved water should be added to achieve the recommended levels mentioned above. When a battery is shipped in a dry state or accidental spillage occurs, electrolyte should be added to the battery. Once filled, a battery should only need periodic water addition."

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14.Do batteries self-discharge when not in use?

'All batteries, regardless of their chemistry, self-discharge. The rate of self-discharge depends both on the type of battery and the storage temperature the batteries are exposed to. However, for a good estimate, wet flooded deep cycle batteries self-discharge approximately 4% per week at 80°F."

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15.Are lead acid batteries recyclable?

"Lead acid batteries are 100% recyclable. Lead is the most recycled metal in the world today. The plastic containers and covers of old batteries are neutralized, reground and used in the manufacture of new battery cases. The electrolyte can be processed for recycled waste water uses. In some cases, the electrolyte is cleaned and reprocessed and sold as battery grade electrolyte. In other instances, the sulfate content is removed as Ammonia Sulfate and used in fertilizers. The separators are often used as a fuel source for the recycling process.'

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16.Can I take a wheelchair, scooter or other equipment that is powered by a sealed AGM or Gel battery on a airplane or cruise ship?

"Yes. There should be no problem, the battery is considered non-spillable, non-hazardous, since it is a absorbed glass mat design. These sealed lead acid valve regulated (VRLA) batteries are classified as "Battery, wet non-spillable, not subject to regulations" by DOT and IMO. By IATA they are classified as "Not restricted for air transport" and they are in compliance with IATA/ICAO special provision A67. For the gelled electrolyte batteries, they are classified as "Battery, wet, filled with acid, UN2794, Class 8". They can be legally shipped via air with special packaging etc."

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17.Why is a maintenance-free AGM motorcycle battery superior to most conventional motorcycle batteries?
"Maintenance-free AGM motorcycle batteries feature Absorbed Glass Mat technology (AGM for short). This design dramatically improves a battery's performance in the following areas:

True maintenance-free design, you'll never have to check or add electrolyte again, unlike conventional batteries which require periodic fluid checks.
Liquid-free AGM design, will not leak or corrode on expensive paint and chrome, and also eliminates corrosion around the battery terminals.
AGM batteries have less internal resistance which allows them to produce more discharge current (cold cranking amperage) vs. comparable conventional "wet" batteries,and AGM batteries also recharge faster
Better resistance to both heat and vibration, a major cause of failure in conventional motorcycle batteries
Much slower self-discharge rate, (3% vs.15% per month) means longer periods between battery recharging over periods of non-use, like winter months or vacations.

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18.Can I expect longer service life from a maintenance-free AGM motorcycle battery?

"Yes, due to their sealed design, AGM batteries eliminate water loss due to heat and evaporation. Most people don't check their conventional battery's water level on a regular basis, and as the electrolyte level in the battery goes down , sulphation begins, which will dramatically shorten a conventional battery's life . Also the AGM battery's "Tight pack" lead calcium construction provides better resistance to vibration, there by by increasing it's service life."

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19.Do maintenance-free AGM motorcycle batteries require special charging?

"No, most AGM motorcycle and powersport batteries can use the same low amp battery chargers that conventional motorcycle batteries use. We recommend a 1-2 amp "Smart" style charger, which will charge only to a certain point then taper down and maintain the battery safely for long periods. Check with the battery manufacturer or reseller on your particular battery's charging requirements if you are unsure of which battery charger to purchase."

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20.Are maintenance-free AGM batteries safe?

"Actually AGM batteries are safer the conventional wet or flooded motorcycle batteries. The AGM design incorporates special safety valves in the battery case, which are designed to prevent pressure build up inside the battery during periods of excess over charging."

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21.What happens if I open a AGM battery's case?

"By opening a maintenance-free AGM battery's case, you release a set internal pressure or psi, which is crucial in a AGM recombination design. In compromising the case you are dramatically shortening it's service life and voiding the battery's warranty. "

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22.How do I check a AGM battery's voltage?

"Due to the fact that an AGM battery has a sealed case, all you need is a volt meter to read it's voltage. A fully charged 12 volt AGM battery's voltage should read about 12.7 volts."

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23.Can I expect more cranking amperage from a sealed AGM battery?

"Yes. Because of the AGM battery's more efficient design, there is less internal resistance from one plate to another, allowing for faster current discharge to reach the battery's terminals, i.e.. more cold cranking amperage."

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24.When I receive my new AGM battery, do I need to charge it?

"If your AGM battery is already factory activated, and pre-charged, then it is ready to install. If your battery requires that you add electrolyte, then you must charge the battery afterwards. Please read and follow the battery’s instructions carefully."

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