Battery Basics

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BATTERIES - Antimony, Calcium, or Glass Mat
Several variations of the Lead -Acid battery are used today. Variations to the battery plate material and electrolyte solution provide different battery characteristics. Construction is basically the same; however, the materials used are slightly different.

1. Lead Antimony ( Most commonly used ).
Is commonly used in conventional lead acid battery which uses lead antimony cell plates.

Advantages:
1. Longer service life than Calcium batteries.
2. Easier to recharge when completely discharged.
3. Lower cost.

2. Lead Calcium ( AC Delco maintenance free batteries ).
Is a maintenance free lead acid battery which uses lead calcium cell plates.

Advantages:
1. Larger electrolyte reserve area above the plates.
2. Higher Cold Cranking Amp ratings.
3. Little or No maintenance.

3. Recombination (Glass Mat) ( Optima batteries and some others ).
Is a completely sealed lead acid battery which uses plate spirals that are saturated with electrolyte rather than a sitting in a liquid electrolyte.

Advantages:
1. No liquid electrolyte to spill or leak.
2. Can be Deep Cycled several time without damage.
3. Totally corrosion and maintenance free.
4. Three to four times longer battery life than regular batteries.
5. More plate surface and closer plate spacing provides a compact case size.