Table of Contents
Lead Acid batteries
Lead Acid batteries
So, this was always going to be a strange blog to write. Lately, I bought a book to improve my knowledge and came across a paragraph in the book that made my thinking change a little. So, the book is called “The 12 Volt Bible for Boats” a revised version by “Ed Sherman”.
This book explains all about the different types of lead-acid batteries that are available today.
aimed at boats, but the book can also apply to other vehicles that need batteries. A single 12-volt battery powers many boats and other marine crafts.
Consequently, for starting the engine and also to supply stored energy for electrical equipment, So, in general, the more thin plates that are fitted into a battery, the more surface area is exposed. Therefore, this gives the battery more cranking power.
Buy the biggest battery possible! Lead Acid batteries
By fitting thicker lead cells, this reduces the cranking capacity, which deep-cycle batteries do not require. However, thicker plates provide better storage.
Importantly, the writer says that by increasing the battery size, the vehicle or boat owner can get the best of both worlds. Also, the writer says that you should always buy the biggest battery that you can physically fit in the space provided!
Since reading this, it has made me think. Lead Acid batteries
All lead-acid batteries use the same technology. Incredibly, there are many different variations of the batteries in the lead acid category! Like any other consumer product, the batter is no different. Manufacturers make different products to increase their share of the market. So, we’re aiming at different groups of consumers.
The battery industry is no different! Lead Acid batteries
Consequently, in the early days of caravans and camper vans, the battery fitted was a regular “car battery.” Of course, as a long-time battery seller, I can remember this well.
Then battery companies could see the potential in this market and started designing and labelling batteries specific to this market. Some battery makers did fit thicker plates into the batteries, but I am not convinced that they all did!
Batteries became more sophisticated
So, as time went on, vehicles became more powerful with more onboard electrics. Importantly, this also applied to leisure vehicles. Battery makers began looking for new ideas to sell their products to the owners of these vehicles.
Significantly, the AGM (Absorbed Glass Matting) battery was born. In my opinion, this was a good step forward. Apart from anything else, these batteries were truly sealed. which is a great safety feature. Particularly in certain circumstances.
Expensive vehicles, including golfing vehicles,
began to come out with these batteries fitted because of the fact that the electrolyte is suspended in the glass mat. So, these batteries have a deeper cycle than standard free-flowing acid batteries. I must reiterate, though, that all batteries require proper ventilation. Importantly, if there is a failure with the charging system,
The original battery should be replaced by the same type wherever possible!
So, with the large variation of battery types and brands May I suggest that you replace the battery with the same one that was fitted to the original equipment?
Of course, if you are confident enough to change or upgrade your battery, Then this should be fine! Particularly the battery brand. The most common electrical system nowadays is, of course, the 12-volt battery system. So this is your first priority. Make sure that your new battery is a 12-volt battery!
Ampage is up next!
The number of amps on your old battery will be marked. This is a contention problem for me. There are many battery suppliers that, let’s say, are less than truthful about the amps that your battery may or may not have.
So this is where the more respectable battery makers can be relied on. Because of the reputation of these quality brands, in my opinion, the statistics on their battery labels will be correct. Manufacturers such as Varta, Lucas, and Bosch can be trusted to provide the correct number of amps in their batteries.
Other manufacturers, such as Trojan, Banner, and US batteries can also be relied on to be truthful with their specifications. Subsequently, when you buy little-known brands, you may be taking a risk.
Leisure batteries can be in a grey area
Leisure batteries most commonly fall into the grey area of inflating the number of actual amps. However, this brings me back to the article in “The 12 Volt Bible for Boats.”
My own thinking is that if you have a single battery fitted to your boat or other vehicle, then any wet, flooded lead-acid battery will be suitable. Of course, as long as the replacement battery is the same size or bigger in size and capacity,
One of the most important facts to remember is that whatever battery is installed, it must be charged regularly and correctly. In my opinion, this is the secret to keeping your battery charged for a long time.
So, you would be surprised at the number of people who just let their batteries stand over the winter period! Sadly, without being charged at all, this results in a battery that has sulphated and is practically useless.
Golfers and battery problems
Golfers are the main perpetrators of this problem. After a game of golf many of them just throw the golf bag, including the batteries, into the boot of their cars. So, the batteries don’t last a full round of golf the next time they’re used. often complain about a faulty battery.
Wet lead acid batteries and AGM batteries are both types of lead acid batteries.
The main difference between the two is that wet lead acid batteries have a liquid electrolyte, while AGM batteries have a gel-like electrolyte.
Because of this difference, AGM batteries are more resistant to leaks and spills than wet lead acid batteries. AGM batteries also tend to have a longer lifespan and higher energy density than wet lead acid batteries. However, wet lead-acid batteries are typically less expensive than AGM batteries.
So to conclude, in my opinion and others’, after that, you can install any type of lead-acid battery in your vehicle. As long as it is of at least the same amperage, you better still buy the largest battery that you can afford with enough room to fit the battery.
To reinforce this theory, car manufacturers with “Stop-Start” technology now fit EFB batteries and AGM batteries. because they are required to have deeper cycles. So the battery mix is even more complicated?
Forward to 2022
Here in 2022, there have been no really significant changes in the battery world. Lithium batteries still remain much more expensive than their lead-acid counterparts. The supply of batteries has slowly improved. However, we now have yet another global problem that could affect supplies.
So, President Putin of Russia has attacked the Ukrainian people with a huge army. I can only hope that this can be sorted out before the rest of the world is dragged into the conflict. thus affecting the movement of world trade.
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