Battery Terminology

Terminology is the technical explanation of something. Regarding battery terminology, the simplest explanation is that a battery can store energy through a chemical reaction. Whenever we need to harvest that energy from it, a chemical reaction happens inside the battery, and energy is performed through the flow of charges. Batteries also come in multiple types, each with its unique terminology.

Car Battery Terminology

The most common car battery type is the lead acid battery. This battery is made with some electric plates submerged inside an acid. The chemical reaction happens between the plates of the battery while acid acts as an electrolyte, and that’s how the car battery powers your car's engine.

Working of a Car Battery

Car batteries use lead-acid technology. The chemical reaction happening creates the flow of charges, hence creating electricity. Every car battery is made with multiple cells that have a specific voltage rating, for example, 2 volts. These cells are connected, forming a series circuit from one terminal to another. So, when you connect the battery to a car, it can provide around 12 volts.

When the car battery is discharged while starting the car, the engine runs an alternator that reverses the discharge process and charges the battery. That is how the battery always stays ready for the next usage.

Power Capacity of a Car Battery

Something standard among all car batteries is the voltage since all electronic car systems run at 12 volts. However, things can get different when it comes to capacity. The average capacity of a car battery is 48 Ah. It means that if you use a load12 volts of 1 amp with that battery, the battery can consistently provide power for 48 hours. This capacity can increase and decrease depending on the size of the car and its requirements. That’s why bigger cars and jeeps use bigger batteries, while smaller cars work fine with a small battery.

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Other Types of Car Battery

Another type of car battery is known as the dry-cell battery. It does not need any acid since its electrolyte is not liquid. That’s why it does not even need any maintenance. However, everything about this battery type is the same apart.

Battery Storage Terminology

Batteries are stored while in use and when not in use, and each condition has different technicalities you must consider. When we take the example of lead-acid batteries, their storage terminology focuses on the maintenance requirements, safety hazards, and self-discharge rate for the batteries. So, here is everything you need to know about battery storage terminology.

Maintenance Requirements

Firstly, you must consider the maintenance requirements of your battery. It depends on the type of battery that how often you will need Maintenace for it. Even if it does not need any frequent maintenance, you need to store the battery in a place where it is easily accessible for maintenance whenever needed.

Maintenance for a battery can be checking the acid levels and battery terminals for any loose or dangerous connections.

Safety Hazards

The most important thing to consider about battery storage is the safety hazards. When lead acid batteries are used, they often get hot, and their acid can evaporate. There are some other safety hazards, and the best solution is to place batteries in a well-ventilated area to maintain their temperature.

Secondly, don’t place them in something that can react with acid fumes. Lastly, it is essential to ensure that the connectors on your batteries are free from corrosion since that can lead to sparks and fire.

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Self-discharge Rate

If you store your battery without it being in use, it will start losing its charging after some time and ultimately become a dead battery. This phenomenon happening for a long time can even cause physical damage to the battery.

So, when storing the battery, consider its self-discharge rate and get a trickle charger or a smart charger to ensure that the battery holds its charging and stays good even when not in use.

Marine Battery Terminology

Marine batteries are batteries specifically for usage on a boat. Normal lead acid batteries cannot perform as required under harsh weather conditions. There are several variations in boat engines, with some having an electric motor and some having a combustion engine, so these batteries are also designed accordingly.

Starter Marine battery

The marine starter batteries are designed slightly similarly to the car battery. These batteries need to cold start the engine, which only needs a burst of power for a few seconds. Once the engine is started, the job of this battery is done, and now it can be charged again with the alternator. 

Electronics Marine Battery

The electronics marine battery is designed to provide a reliable and consistent electricity supply for longer. This battery is used not only for powering the electric motor that drives the boat but also for powering the electronics of a boat reliably for hours without charging.

So, these batteries are usually deep cycle batteries since they must discharge to a very low percentage of remaining capacity without causing any safety issues.

Technical Specifications of a Marine Battery

Regarding technical specifications, marine batteries have 12 volts of output power, but their capacity differs from car batteries. The capacity of these batteries is almost double the average at 110Ah, meaning that these can power your boat's electronics for much longer.

Additionally, these batteries are designed to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply even under harsh conditions. Some dual-purpose marine batteries are also used for both purposes on a boat, so they can cold start an engine, run an electric motor, and power the electronics on a boat for a long time.

Conclusion

Whether you want to learn battery terminology for general knowledge purposes or are looking to buy the next battery for some of your requirements, knowing the nitty and gritty of battery technicalities can help you greatly. We hope you have learned everything about car batteries, marine batteries, and battery storage. So, not only can you buy the right battery now, but you can also implement it perfectly.