When buying a battery, buyers unfortunately think that the more expensive it is, the better it is. The problem is that there are different types of batteries and different models of cars, and each of them is designed for its own operating conditions. If this is not taken into account, then soon the car owners who have bought the most expensive batteries, will again buy power sources for their favorite cars.
Today's batteries come in two types: low-maintenance batteries and maintenance-free batteries.
As the name suggests, the former require infrequent but necessary checking of the electrolyte level, the latter do not need to be maintained, sometimes they do not even have plugs. It depends on the materials from which the battery electrodes are made. Usually they were made of lead with a little admixture of antimony. It created reliable, durable electrode plates, but caused water to boil off.
The experienced car enthusiasts probably remember the batteries which were made in the Soviet Union in black ebonite cases with mastic on top; they were made that way and you had to add distillate all the time.
Over time, the antimony content was reduced, reducing the loss of water, then came the modern low-maintenance batteries. Their advantage is a low price and high reliability: they are not afraid of long discharges, undemanding to the process of charging and easily withstand voltage increases in the network car, it is only necessary to fill up water in time, and monitor the electrolyte level, the level should not be below the upper edges of the plates.
Not serviceable battery.
Representation of hybrid. This is a good choice for those who rarely use the car and not very fond of watching the charge of batteries. Now the release of such batteries are not only Russian companies, but also manufacturers of foreign companies.
Maintenance-free batteries are divided into two types: hybrid and calcium batteries. Calcium batteries are the most expensive, their electrodes are made from a lead-calcium alloy with the addition of tin, aluminum and sometimes silver. Hybrid batteries are simpler, calcium is contained only in the negative electrodes, and positive electrodes are made of lead with a small amount of antimony. The use of calcium has reduced the evaporation of the electrolyte, and increased the life of the batteries, hybrid to 5 years, calcium to 7 years.
Compared to low-maintenance batteries, self-discharge is one and a half times slower. But there are problems: the long-life calcium battery does not tolerate deep discharge. If it is fully discharged several times, the positive electrode plates will begin to form calcium sulfate and the battery will begin to lose capacity sharply. Therefore, hybrid batteries use calcium only in the negative electrodes - they are not so affected by discharge.
Calcium battery
Calcium batteries have a high starting current, high capacity and long life, but they are afraid of discharge. A single answer to the question "what battery is better," there is no, each battery has its pros and cons.
If you use the car frequently, the maintenance free calcium batteries will be an excellent choice, maximum service life and no problems with the electrolyte level. If you drive your car infrequently, leaving it parked for long periods of time, the calcium battery will quickly lose its strength. In this case, it is worth buying a hybrid battery, it will easily endure a deep discharge and a long period of inactivity, requiring no special attention to itself. Low-maintenance batteries are a good choice when you need an inexpensive, viable battery. It's the rare case where money isn't the deciding factor.
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