Trystan Casey
Lead-acid batteries are a type of electric battery that uses lead and its oxide as electrodes and a sulfuric acid solution as an electrolyte. They are the first rechargeable battery ever built and remain the most common rechargeable battery on the market today. They are widely used in automotive and industrial applications due to their low cost, reliability, and robustness. Lead-acid batteries come in two main types: flooded lead-acid batteries and sealed lead-acid batteries, also known as valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries. The former is the cheapest and most traditional type, while the latter offers a leak-free and maintenance-free design. Both types have their advantages and are used in a variety of applications, from automotive systems to renewable energy solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Secondary battery |
| Electrodes | Lead and lead oxide |
| Electrolyte | Sulfuric acid solution |
| Cost | $300–600/kWh |
| Efficiency | 70–90% |
| Lifespan | 5 years or 250–1000 charge/discharge cycles |
| Maintenance | Requires topping up of electrolyte and regular functional testing |
| Performance | Excellent deep-cycling capability |
| Durability | Robust and able to withstand various environmental conditions |
| Applications | Automotive, renewable energy, solar applications, marine vessels, power supplies, alarm systems, emergency lighting |
| Variants | Flooded, Sealed, VRLA, AGM, Gel |
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What You'll Learn
Flooded lead-acid batteries
Lead-acid batteries were the first rechargeable batteries ever built and are still the most common rechargeable battery on the market. They are widely used in solar electric systems and are in high demand as starter batteries due to their low cost and high power-to-weight ratio.
The bulk charge voltage of a 12V flooded lead-acid battery is typically 14.2 volts, while the float charge voltage is typically 13.4 volts. The specific bulk voltage can vary depending on the manufacturer, design, and temperature conditions.
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Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries
Lead-acid batteries were the first rechargeable battery ever built and remain the most common rechargeable battery on the market. They are in high demand due to their low cost and high power-to-weight ratio. Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, also known as sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries, are a type of lead-acid battery with several unique characteristics. Firstly, they contain a limited amount of electrolyte, which is either absorbed in a plate separator or formed into a gel. Secondly, they have a specific proportion of negative and positive plates that facilitate oxygen recombination within the cell. Lastly, they feature a relief valve that retains the battery contents regardless of the position of the cells, allowing them to be used in various positions without leaking.
VRLA batteries have two primary types: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel Cell (Gel Battery). AGM batteries utilise fiberglass mesh between the battery plates to contain the electrolyte and separate the plates. This design prevents acid spilling and provides greater resistance to shock and vibration. Gel batteries, on the other hand, add silica dust to the electrolyte to form a thick, putty-like gel. This gelled electrolyte technology reduces electrolyte evaporation and spillage, resulting in less corrosion.
One of the key advantages of VRLA batteries is their ability to retain generated gases within the battery as long as the pressure remains within safe levels. Under normal conditions, these gases can recombine within the battery, and no additional electrolyte is required. However, if the pressure exceeds safety limits, safety valves open to release excess gases and regulate pressure. This self-regulating feature is where the term ''valve-regulated'' in VRLA originates.
VRLA batteries are commonly used in vehicles and backup power systems. They are particularly popular in motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) due to their spill-resistant design, reducing the likelihood of acid spilling during cornering, vibration, or accidents. Additionally, VRLA batteries are recommended for telecommunications applications, such as Controlled Environmental Vaults (CEVs) and Electronic Equipment Enclosures (EEEs), as they offer advantages over flooded lead-acid and conventional lead-acid batteries.
While VRLA batteries are often referred to as "maintenance-free" because they do not require regular electrolyte level checks, they still need maintenance. As electrolyte is lost, VRLA cells dry out and lose capacity. Regular internal resistance, conductance, or impedance measurements can detect this and indicate the need for further testing and maintenance. Maintenance procedures have been developed to rehydrate the cells and restore lost capacity.
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Sealed lead-acid batteries
Lead-acid batteries were the first rechargeable batteries ever built and are still the most common rechargeable battery on the market. They are in high demand due to their low cost and high power-to-weight ratio. The two categories of lead-acid batteries are sealed and flooded.
Sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries are rechargeable and maintenance-free. They come in a range of shapes, voltages, amperages, and sizes, and can be discharged in any position due to their valve-regulated design. They are also safe, spill-proof, and reliable. The cells of SLA batteries use a fibreglass mat to suspend the electrolyte, making them more powerful and durable.
SLA batteries are manufactured with a variety of amp-hour (AH) ratings, allowing for maximum flexibility in design and use. They are used to power a wide range of devices and equipment, from personal scooters to business equipment.
The shelf life of an SLA battery is generally between 6 months to 1 year when stored at 77°F (25°C). They naturally self-discharge at a rate of around 3% a month, so it is recommended that they are checked and charged every three months. Routine equalization cycles are important to the performance and life of the battery.
SLA batteries should not be stored in a discharged or partially charged state, as this can lead to lead sulfation, which is the leading cause of battery failures in solar systems.
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Lead-acid battery applications
Lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used type of battery in photovoltaic systems. They are also the most commonly used form of battery for most rechargeable battery applications, such as starting car engines. Due to their low cost and high power-to-weight ratio, they are in high demand as starter batteries. They are also used in diesel-electric submarines, power sports, engine ignition, and marine diesel engines.
There are two main categories of lead-acid batteries: sealed and flooded. Flooded batteries are the conventional type, with free-moving electrolytes in the cell section. They require more maintenance than sealed batteries as they allow fluid in the form of hydrogen and oxygen gas to escape during charging. They can be overcharged with less risk of damage than sealed batteries, and they can be equalized to bring underperforming cells to a full state of charge.
Sealed batteries are synonymous with VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, which are also referred to as maintenance-free batteries. However, they do require maintenance as electrolyte loss causes them to dry out and lose capacity. AGM (Absorbed Glass Matte) and Gel types of VRLA batteries keep the electrolyte mixed with water and prevent evaporation. Gel-type batteries are also known as wet batteries, and they are more sensitive than other types.
Lead-acid batteries are also used in off-grid solar applications. They are suitable for high-current applications with weight or space limitations, such as forklifts. They are not suitable for mobile and portable applications like electric vehicles or hand tools due to their low energy-to-weight and energy-to-volume ratios.
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History of the lead-acid battery
The lead-acid battery is the oldest type of rechargeable battery, invented by French physicist Gaston Planté in 1859. It was the first rechargeable battery ever created. Planté's first model consisted of two sheets of lead separated by rubber strips and rolled into a spiral, immersed in a solution containing about 10% sulfuric acid. The battery delivered large currents, but it took a whole day to charge.
In 1881, Camille Alphonse Faure invented an improved version that was easier to mass-produce. This design consisted of a lead grid lattice into which a lead oxide paste was pressed, forming a plate. An early manufacturer of lead-acid batteries was Henri Tudor, who began production in 1886.
In the 1930s, portable suitcase radio sets allowed the cell to be mounted vertically or horizontally, but not inverted, due to valve design. Around the same time, lead-acid batteries began using silica gel instead of liquid electrolyte, making them practical for portable devices and other applications where leaking had previously been an issue.
In the 1970s, the valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) or sealed battery was developed, including modern absorbed glass mat (AGM) types, allowing operation in any position. This design also improved the user experience by eliminating the need for frequent refilling, as the gas created when overcharging could not escape and instead recombined within the battery.
Despite over 100 years of improvements, the lead-acid battery has changed little since its first innovation, and it continues to be used widely today.
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Frequently asked questions
A lead-acid battery is a type of electric battery that was the first known type of rechargeable battery. It was suggested by French physicist Dr. Planté in 1860 for energy storage.
A lead-acid battery consists of electrodes of lead oxide and lead immersed in a solution of weak sulfuric acid. The basic anode and cathode materials in a lead-acid battery are lead and lead dioxide.
There are two main types of lead-acid batteries: flooded batteries and valve-regulated batteries. Flooded batteries are the most common type and are also known as wet cell batteries. Valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are sealed and maintenance-free.
Lead-acid batteries are commonly used in automotive starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries. They are also used in stand-alone photovoltaic systems and off-grid solar applications.
Lead-acid batteries have a low cost, high reliability, and efficiency. However, they have a relatively poor performance at low and high temperatures and a short lifetime. They also require periodic water maintenance and have low specific energy and power.
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