How to choose a car battery

Car battery: everything you need to know

Regardless of the complexity and number of devices that consume electricity, all cars are equipped with batteries. Their main purpose is to start the engine. However, in addition to this task, they also have secondary ones - maintaining the operation of the alarm system, radio, lighting, etc. A car battery makes the car truly autonomous.

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What is a car battery

The battery used in a car is an electrochemical current source, that is, electrical energy is generated here as a result of a chemical reaction.

Structurally, it is a plastic case, usually made of polypropylene. Polypropylene is chosen for its resistance to long-term acid attack.

Six separate batteries, insulated with a plastic separator, are mounted in a plastic case. Each battery consists of two electrodes placed in an electrolyte.

The electrolyte is sulfuric acid. Usually it is in a liquid state, but there are battery designs where the electrolyte is a special non-liquid material impregnated with that same sulfuric acid.

The materials for the manufacture of electrodes, which, by the way, have a lattice structure, are various lead alloys. Nowadays, the most common is lead-calcium alloy, from which both positive and negative electrodes are made.

This alloy has gained its popularity due to its low tendency to self-discharge. In addition, to increase operating efficiency, the electrodes are coated with special active coatings: positive with lead dioxide, and negative with sponge lead.

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What types of car batteries are there?

The structure described above is fundamental. Each manufacturer makes its own changes to the design, so there are several types of batteries.

The first parameter that allows you to divide car batteries into two large groups is the possibility of servicing them. Here we distinguish between serviceable and maintenance-free batteries. Some sources also highlight low-maintenance batteries, but these are the same maintenance-free ones, only they require less attention.

1. Serviceable batteries:
   Such batteries are easily recognized by the presence of plugs, which, when opened, provide access to the electrolyte. With each new charge, the electrolyte of a battery of this type loses a small amount of water. In this regard, there is a gradual increase in the concentration of sulfuric acid and, accordingly, the density of the electrolyte. Therefore, to bring it to its original state, the electrolyte must be periodically diluted with distilled water.
2. Maintenance-free batteries:
   A car battery whose electrolyte is not accessible is considered maintenance-free. However, it is not completely sealed. Its design provides for the presence of small holes for evaporation of the electrolyte. The plates of such a battery are made with the addition of antimony, which minimizes fluid loss and extends the life of the battery. There are also more advanced designs where the electrolyte is absorbed or thickened. Such batteries are safer and have a longer service life.

The second parameter by which batteries are classified is the state of the electrolyte.

1. Battery with liquid electrolyte:
   This is the most budget-friendly battery option. Here the electrolyte is an ordinary aqueous solution of sulfuric acid, which has known disadvantages: the likelihood of boiling, splashing, evaporation, and, with a weak charge, even freezing of the liquid.
2. Battery with gel electrolyte:
   In this battery, the electrolyte is thickened with silica gel. As a result, it is not in a liquid state, but gelatin-like. This gives it a number of advantages: it does not boil, does not freeze, does not evaporate, does not splash out, and is resistant to full discharge, thanks to which it extends the service life of the electrodes.
3. Absorbed electrolyte battery:
   In this battery, the electrolyte is absorbed into another material, leaving the battery in a virtually dry state. It has similar advantages to gel batteries, but is somewhat inferior to it.

If we delve even deeper into the question of what types of car batteries there are, it should be noted that there are other less significant parameters by which they are classified.

These include battery size, polarity, and terminal design. While battery sizes are almost always standard, the polarity is often different. You need to be careful here.

The terminals are also different - recessed, protruding, identical and different from each other.

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How to choose car batteries

Choosing a battery should begin by inspecting the old one. It's better to take it with you to the store. Firstly, it will help you navigate the overall dimensions, because a mistake of half a centimeter will be quite offensive. Secondly, an old battery will not allow you to make a mistake in the polarity of the purchased battery.

Then we decide on a budget. It is its size that will tell us what type of battery we can afford. It is foolish to look for a battery with gel electrolyte on a limited budget, because such batteries are the most expensive.

Finally, within the allocated budget, we decide on a brand. You should not fall for market newcomers and suspiciously cheap “quality Chinese”. It is better to give preference to already proven manufacturers such as Varta, Mutlu, Topla, etc.

The main technical parameter by which you can choose a battery is its capacity. It is better to find out the capacity you need from the manual for your car. It is not advisable to buy a battery with a larger capacity than indicated in the manual, since you will have to pay more, and the car will most likely never need additional energy.

When choosing a battery, you need to take into account the mode in which you operate your car. If you drive constantly, then a maintenance-free calcium battery will suit your car. Otherwise, it is better to pay attention to serviceable batteries, which, in case of prolonged downtime, you may have to charge using a charger.

In any case, your sales assistant can tell you how to choose a car battery directly in the store.

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How to check a car battery

So you've made your purchase and want to test your new battery. Or do you doubt the performance of a battery that has served you for several years and are wondering how to check a car battery?

There are several ways to check the battery. The most primitive would be its usual visual inspection. In most cases, it will do nothing, but sometimes things are so bad that “growths” form on the terminals or electrolyte leaks are visible due to leaks in the housing.

A more accurate way would be to measure the voltage at the terminals using a tester. In this case, it is worth paying attention that it is direct current that is measured. If as a result you get a voltage within the range from 12.6 V to 12.9 V, then you can rest assured that the battery is 100% charged.

The battery charge can also be determined by the density of the electrolyte, if, of course, you have a battery where it is in the liquid phase. Density is measured by a hydrometer. A well-known type of hydrometer is an alcoholometer; their operating principle is identical.

To measure density, you need to take a small volume of electrolyte using a bulb, place it in a glass container, and lower the hydrometer into the electrolyte. The latter will plunge into the liquid as deeply as its density allows. Using the scale on the hydrometer, you can take the corresponding results.

If they are in the range from 1.27 to 1.29 g/l, this will mean that the battery is fully charged.

There is another device with which you can test the battery. It's called a load fork. This device creates a load on the battery comparable to starting the engine.

It should be connected to the battery, strictly observing the polarity, and readings should be taken for no more than five seconds.

If after the specified time interval the battery produces a voltage of more than 9 volts, then we can conclude that the battery is working properly.

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Car battery. How to charge?

Under normal operating conditions, the battery should not be discharged, since when the engine is running it is constantly charged from the generator. But if the battery is deeply discharged, it needs to be charged as quickly as possible using a charger.

Charging device

Depending on the charging scheme, there are three types of chargers. The first ones are with a constant current value. They are capable of fully charging your battery, but have a significant drawback - the risk of overheating the electrolyte to the point of boiling, which will significantly harm its service life.

The second chargers operate with a constant voltage value. They will never overheat the electrolyte, however, it will not be possible to fully charge the battery using such a device. However, there are also combined devices. They are the highest quality and most effective, but also the most expensive.

Charging the battery

How to charge a car battery? It's as simple as that. You need to connect the charger to the battery, and the device itself to the network. True, there is one nuance.

If the battery is being serviced, all plugs must be opened to prevent excessive gas accumulation. It is precisely because of the formation of these gases that you should not charge the battery in an apartment or any other room where people are constantly present.

In general, to charge the battery, it is necessary to provide good ventilation or ventilation.

The charging process must be continued until the indicator on the battery begins to signal green. If there is no such indicator, then it is necessary to periodically measure the battery voltage using a tester.

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Car battery maintenance

Battery maintenance often means solely adding distilled water to the electrolyte. This is not entirely true. Car battery maintenance is a set of measures aimed at ensuring long-term battery performance. The service also includes battery charging.

In order for a battery to last a long time, it must always be charged. Therefore, it is recommended to charge it using a charger not only in case of deep discharge, but also periodically - once every two to three months.

If you follow the above recharging frequency, then, in the case of a serviceable battery, the protective plugs will be opened at the same frequency. If periodic recharging is not carried out, then the serviced battery still needs to be opened at least once every three months.

Having opened the plugs, it is necessary to measure the density of the electrolyte and, if necessary, add distilled or demineralized water. If it is not possible to measure the density, then it is permissible to simply add water to the mark specified by the manufacturer.

However, you should not abuse this method; it is better to check the electrolyte density analytically from time to time.

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Reasons for car battery failure

Improper operation or maintenance is the most common cause of battery failure.

Thus, deep discharge of the battery, regardless of the reason (forgotten on sidelights or prolonged operation of the starter) leads to sulfation of the plates.

The plates become especially heavily coated with sulfites if the discharged battery remains in this state for a long time. Sulfitation also occurs when the battery is operated with low electrolyte levels.

Sometimes a short circuit occurs in the battery. The reason for this is the shedding of the active coating of the electrodes, which, in particular, can occur due to overcharging of the battery.

Increased self-discharge also makes battery operation difficult. This defect may appear as a result of banal contamination of the electrolyte. Therefore, it is better to periodically wipe the battery so that dust does not get inside the battery.

An extreme battery defect is freezing. Such an incident can occur with a discharged battery with a low electrolyte density that is exposed to low temperatures.

Finally, the cause of battery failure may be simple old age. After all, the process of charging and discharging are chemical reactions that can never take place at absolute 100%.

Over time, the repeatedly repeated process of formation and decomposition of the sulfite film becomes less and less reversible, and the recovery processes practically cease.

Next, a crystalline precipitate forms, preventing contact between the active coating of the electrodes and the electrolyte, which leads to incomplete operation of the battery.

The considered reasons for the failure of car batteries are the most common and common. And although most drivers complain about battery manufacturers, it is their own mistakes that lead to additional costs for a new battery. But is it necessary to buy a new battery? Maybe you can restore the existing one?

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How to restore a car battery?

Often, after a short period of time, thanks to the “efforts” of the driver, the battery fails. The question arises of how to restore a car battery, because only recently a new battery was purchased.

It is indeed possible to restore the battery's functionality. There are several ways to do this.

The first method is based on repeated charging of the battery with a low current rating. In this case, it is necessary to take short breaks between charges. As a result, you can notice that after each charge the voltage supplied by the battery will increase. This method uses a current that is 10 times less than the battery capacity.

The second method is based on replacing the electrolyte. To do this, drain the old electrolyte, wash the battery with boiling water and a solution of baking soda, then add new electrolyte and charge the battery for 24 hours. Then, for 10 days, it is charged daily for 6 hours.

Finally, another way to desulphate a battery is to remove the electrolyte from a charged battery, wash it with an ammonia solution of Trilon B (Trilon B: ammonia = 2:5) for an hour, wash it with distilled water and fill it with electrolyte of normal density. The battery is then charged using a conventional charger.

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Source: http://dranduleti.com/reviews/accumulator/

How to choose a battery for a car. Which battery to choose for a car:

The battery is one of the most important components of a car. After all, with a discharged battery, the car simply will not start, and it will be pointless to continue further driving.

Therefore, you should be very careful when choosing a battery. In today's article we will look at how to choose the right battery and what to pay special attention to when purchasing.

What reduces battery life?

First, let's talk about what factors can affect the wear and tear of a car battery. Among them, the following should be noted:

• Increased vibration. Unfortunately, no one is immune from this factor. And no matter how soft the suspension of your car is, vibrations occur everywhere, and not only from the engine.
• Incorrect or incomplete charging. Often, car enthusiasts recharge the battery, which is absolutely forbidden to do. Incomplete charging or overcharging reduces the battery life several times. There have also been cases when, after 1.5 days of charging, the battery completely failed. In general, the battery is recharged for no more than 12 hours.
• Frosts. This is one of the worst moments for the battery. After all, the lower the air temperature, the stronger and more often the battery is discharged. In winter, every day the battery loses up to 1-2 percent of its charge. So don’t be surprised if your car suddenly stops starting in the morning. The only way to protect your vehicle from the cold is to park it in the garage at night. No other recommendations are given.

How to choose the right battery?

It turns out that it is not enough to buy a battery from a well-known manufacturer. Remember, if the characteristics of the unit do not correspond specifically to your car, its presence in the car is simply pointless. Therefore, before purchasing, you need to carefully consider all the necessary parameters. We will talk about them in the following sections.

Voltage level

This is not the most important characteristic, but it is still worth paying attention to. In passenger cars, all batteries are produced with a single voltage - 12 Volts.

The situation is more complicated with buses and trucks.

Here, depending on the make and type of vehicle, the battery can be either 24-volt (one is installed) or 12-volt (two connected in parallel). This should also be taken into account when purchasing.

Choosing a battery for a car: a few words about capacity

This characteristic is responsible for the amount of energy that the battery supplies per unit of time. You only need to buy a battery with the power specified in the instruction manual. It is also allowed to use a battery with a capacity 5-10 percent greater than that recommended by the manufacturer. This is what most of our car enthusiasts do.

How to choose a battery for a Niva car and find out what power it has? According to factory parameters, the battery capacity for the VAZ-2121 is 55 A/h. This means that its discharge current will be approximately 2.75 Amperes. But if you often use the car at air temperatures below 0 degrees, it is recommended to take a 60 Amp battery.

Compared to a 55-amp, it will hold a charge longer and discharge less often (just what you need for winter use). But this applies not only to domestic cars.

The answer to the question of how to choose a battery for a Renault Logan car sounds approximately the same. Both the domestic Niva and the French Renault can work without problems with higher-capacity batteries.

By the way, a 60 Ampere battery is installed on the Logan from the factory.

How to choose a battery for a car with a diesel engine? Recently, more and more foreign manufacturers have begun to expand their range of power units, supplementing them with diesel units. This popularity of diesel is due to several factors. These are environmental friendliness, power (such engines are more high-torque) and economical fuel consumption.

But that’s not about that now. You've probably noticed that manufacturers install higher-capacity batteries on diesel modifications of cars and crossovers. This is done due to the higher torque.

That is, to start a diesel engine, the battery must provide a higher starting current. So it turns out that the battery capacity of gasoline and diesel cars of the same make and model may differ by 10-15 Amperes.

This factor also needs to be taken into account.

Is it worth saving on capacity? You should not purchase a battery with less power, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, it will be constantly subject to overcharging (since the generator operates at the same power as before).

Secondly, such a battery wears out and ages very quickly. That is, instead of saving, you get double consumption.

And thirdly, due to low power, the battery is not able to normally crank the starter and provide current to the entire on-board network of the car.

In winter, such a battery receives even less charge from the generator than in summer. As a result, the chances of starting at least three attempts are reduced to zero. To start the engine, you will have to charge the battery every day, and this is an additional waste of money and time.

Dimensions

Battery dimensions are also an important parameter that should be taken into account when choosing. Such great importance is due to the fact that there is very little space allocated for the battery in the engine compartment. How to choose a battery for a car so that it fits in a regular place? Everything is very simple.

You can determine the overall dimensions yourself by measuring a standard battery with an ordinary construction tape measure. And if this factor can be ignored when purchasing a battery of standard capacity, then with devices of increased capacity (even 5 Amperes) you should be more careful.

Their dimensions should not differ significantly from the dimensions of standard analogues.

Selecting the type of terminals

There are several types of terminals - American, Japanese and European types. To determine the correct option, refer to the instruction manual supplied by the manufacturer. Or you can turn to online resources for help, indicating the exact make, model and year of manufacture of the car.

Polarity

Before choosing a battery for your car, check the required polarity of the battery. There are two types of batteries - with reverse and direct polarity. On the body of each of them there is a “–” and “+” symbol. If there is a “minus” on the left, then this battery is with reverse polarity, if “plus” is with direct polarity.

Selection of batteries by vehicle brand

How to choose a battery by car make? If you want to find out all the characteristics without leaving your own home, you should go to a special car portal and fill out the appropriate fields.

You will need to indicate the make, model of the car, as well as the year of manufacture or modification. After this, the service will automatically determine what capacity and size of battery you need.

By the way, on some portals the price and availability of this type of battery are immediately displayed. You can also buy the unit here (via the Internet).

About the manufacturers

Which brand is the best car battery? Of course, it is best to buy batteries from trusted and reputable manufacturers. There are quite a lot of these at the moment, so there will be no problems with the choice and assortment.

To be more specific, the highest quality products are offered by Bosch (the best battery for domestic and imported cars), Ista and Vesta.

There are also unscrupulous companies that make defects on the assembly line.

Most Chinese brands should be included in this category. By the way, Turkey (namely INCI AKU) also produces far from the best battery. It is bad for a car because it has a very slow charge.

And out of 6 launch attempts, only 4 were successful.

Before choosing a battery for a car, it is advisable to consult with your acquaintances and friends who are motorists - they can recommend you the most suitable and reliable battery model.

How to visually distinguish a fake from the original?

Sometimes it happens that a battery with the logo of a famous well-known brand is simply “stamped” in garages. And in order not to fall for the tricks of scammers, you need to adhere to certain rules. The first thing you need to look at is the release date of the battery.

If the battery was manufactured more than a year ago, you should not buy it, since its composition is destroyed without recharging (of course, none of the sellers will charge it at the storefront). External condition is also very important. There should be no chips or cracks on the battery case. Any deformation in the future can cause evaporation of the electrolyte, which will certainly reduce the battery life.

Dents that form after falls and careless loading can also be the main cause of fluid leakage. Not only the body itself should not have deformations. This requirement also applies to such parts as borns. There shouldn't be a single scratch on them. If they are present, most likely this battery has already been used before.

Checking the battery on site

It is worth noting that an external inspection is not enough to verify the serviceability of a particular battery. After a visual inspection, be sure to ask the seller to measure the density of the battery and charge it. If he refuses to do this, it is better to refrain from such a purchase.

According to the standard, the electrolyte density level may be 0.02 cm3 less than that declared by the manufacturer. Battery charging is checked using a special load plug.

Every conscientious seller has such a tool. On average, the voltmeter reading should range from 12 to 12.9 V (no load).

With a load, the battery voltage should not drop below 11 Volts for several seconds.

If the results of the inspection were satisfactory, and the external condition of the product meets all requirements, such a battery can be safely purchased. And one more thing: when making a transaction, be sure to ask the seller for a receipt and a warranty card.

In this case, you can always exchange the battery if it does not fit your car or suddenly turns out to be inoperative. Remember that in the absence of the mentioned documents, the store has every right to refuse you an exchange of goods and a refund.

The presence of a guarantee will obviously not be superfluous.

How to increase battery life?

We have already talked about how to choose a battery for a VAZ car. Now let's note a few rules regarding battery operation. All of the following points will help increase the life of your battery for several years. So, let's begin.

1. Firstly, after purchasing, you cannot place the product sideways or upside down (even during transportation from the store to home). This rule applies to all batteries, even if they are dry charged.
2. Winter is coming soon, and as we know, the worst enemy for batteries is the cold. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the battery from its mounts at night and store it at room temperature (for example, in a closet at home). If you don't want to remove and install the battery every day, just take the time to drive the car into the garage. The cold will affect the battery to a minimum, which means that the car will not suddenly lose charge. Remember that a car that has been sitting outside overnight at minus 20 is unlikely to start without pre-warming it. And this will take much more time than dismantling the battery or rolling the car into the garage.
3. If there is a need to clean the burns, never use files or coarse sandpaper for this. It is best to use fine-grained, namely “zero”.
4. Charge the battery correctly. If the battery has lost up to half its charge, it is no longer able to crank the starter. It is strictly not recommended to recharge it. This will lead to the electrolyte simply boiling away, and the battery will be unsuitable for further use. Ideally, it takes 10-12 hours to charge the battery. If the charger is connected for a shorter time, the battery will drain very quickly.
5. Periodically monitor the leakage current level of the vehicle's on-board network. It is best to do this before installing a new battery. If the current leakage level is more than 15 mA, the battery will “run out” even when the engine is not running and electrical devices are turned off. If this problem is not corrected in time, the battery will require daily recharging.
6. Check the condition and functionality of the generator itself. Often on used foreign and domestic cars it turns off, and from time to time all the current is taken from the battery. It turns out that the generator, instead of charging the battery, on the contrary, drains it even more.
7. Regular measurement of the electrolyte density level can significantly extend the life of the battery and ensure normal starting current when starting the internal combustion engine. Ideally it should be completely transparent. If you see that the liquid has turned black, most likely there is a short circuit in one of the cans. Also, different levels of electrolyte content are not allowed. If one jar contains less than another, replenish the container to the level recommended by the manufacturer. It’s better to pay attention to this even when purchasing (when you’re still thinking about which battery to buy). In this case, the car will always be in good working order and operational.
8. Well, the last rule is to avoid frequent battery overloads. Some motorists persistently turn the starter even after 5-10 unsuccessful starting attempts. It should be noted that with each new revolution the battery significantly loses its charge. Therefore, if your car does not start after three attempts, you should not continue to fiddle with the ignition key - this will only drain the battery. Motorists recommend turning the starter for no more than 5-6 seconds. In this case, the break between attempts should be at least 5 seconds. This time is necessary in order to restore the battery's ability to supply starting current, which turns from 12 to 20,000 volts through the coil. It is also not recommended to equip your car with overly powerful speakers and subwoofers. Yes, compared to standard speakers, they produce better sound. But at the same time, you should be prepared for the fact that the generator will not have time to charge the battery - from time to time you will have to do this yourself.

Conclusion

So, we found out which battery to choose for your car. As you can see, there are quite a lot of criteria. But difficulties in choosing arise only once. In the future, you will already know which battery to choose for your car, and what parameters it should meet.

Source: https://BusinessMan.ru/new-kak-vybrat-akkumulyator-dlya-avtomobilya.html

What types of car batteries are there and which one is better to choose and not make a mistake?

After 3-4 years of daily use of the car, almost every car enthusiast is faced with the need to replace the battery. The situation worsens in late autumn - during the onset of the first cold weather. After all, in a warm summer, even a dead battery is capable of turning the easily rotating starter shaft.

What about the old one?

Before considering new car batteries and which one is better to choose, you should deal with the old battery. Perhaps the time has come when it is necessary to change the old energy source to a new one. Or perhaps the following happened:

• the product is simply discharged (charged battery voltage is 12.6-12.7 V) and should be charged with a special device;
• the density of the electrolyte has decreased: it must be measured with a hydrometer - it should be at least 1.25-1.27 g/cm3;
• sulfation of the plates has occurred (the plates are covered with a large layer of lead sulfate and stop passing current) - can be cured using a special charger with a desulfation mode;
• The electrolyte level in the jar has dropped - you need to add distilled water.

You should also check whether the car's alternator is working properly. To do this, it is necessary to measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running - it should be in the range of 13.8-14.5 V. It would not be superfluous to check whether there are current leaks to any sources when the car is parked, whether the starter is working and not oxidized power wiring terminals.

We classify car batteries and find out which one is better to choose in certain conditions

An inexperienced car enthusiast can easily get confused in the assortment of modern batteries. The situation can be significantly alleviated by classifying the variety of electricity sources into three types:

1. Traditional lead-acid batteries with liquid electrolyte.
2. EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery).
3. AGM (Absorbed Glass Material).

Traditional wet batteries consist of six cells containing lead plates and liquid electrolyte. To prevent lead from falling off the plates, they are further strengthened. Depending on the reinforcing material, energy sources of this class are usually divided into several subtypes:

• low antimony (lead-antimony electrodes);
• calcium (lead-calcium electrodes);
• hybrid (electrodes “+” – lead-antimony, “-” – lead-calcium).

Low antimony current sources

When deciding how to choose a battery for a car, you should keep in mind that low-antimony batteries are marked Sb on the label. These products have excellent resistance to deep discharges.

The models belong to the serviceable class because they have removable lids for access to the electrolyte jars.

At the same time, low-antimony specimens require frequent maintenance and have the following disadvantages:

• intense evaporation of electrolyte;
• low resistance to self-discharge;
• low starting current;
• small capacity.

Calcium Energy Sources

Calcium batteries are classified as maintenance-free, since their design does not provide access to containers with electrolyte.

The lids of such models, on the contrary, have special labyrinth channels for collecting electrolyte condensate.

This is by no means a disadvantage of the product, since batteries of this type are prone to minimal evaporation of the conductive liquid. The positive characteristics of calcium batteries include:

• large capacity;
• high starting currents;
• adding silver to the electrode structure;
• low self-discharge during storage.

Products of this class are not without their disadvantages. In particular, they do not tolerate deep discharges. And 3-4 discharges lead to a loss of battery capacity by 80%. KIA Rio car owners will not be pleased with the price of Ca/Ca batteries.

Hybrid batteries

Products that are labeled with a phrase like “Hybrid battery” or an inscription in the form of Sb/Ca belong to the class of hybrids, which have average electrical characteristics.

The batteries are low maintenance and resistant to deep discharges.

When choosing traditional batteries for a car and figuring out which one is best to choose, experts recommend giving preference to hybrid sources.

AGM batteries

In Absorbed Glass Material products, the electrolyte is held in a microporous glass fiber material sandwiched between the plates. The free volume of micropores serves for the process of closed gas recombination, due to which hydrogen and oxygen are retained inside the structure.

On such models you can often see the Start-Stop inscription. And for good reason, because the AGM battery family is often found on Jaguar F-Pace with a start-stop system and regenerative braking. In the set of advantages:

• high starting current;
• resistance to deep cyclic discharges;
• durability;
• ability to work in any position.

EFB batteries

Enhanced Flooded Battery – models with wet electrode technology. The electrodes here are covered with a film of special microfiber. This prevents the possibility of material shedding from the plates, which, as in the case of AGM, allows it to withstand deep cyclic discharges. Unlike Absorbed Glass Material, the electrolyte here is liquid.

It should be noted that AGM and EFB batteries will in the near future replace traditional products with liquid “electrolyte”. For now, the limiting factor is the too high price of progressive class models: they are 2-2.5 times higher than the cost of “traditional” ones.

Who to give preference to: how to choose a modern battery for a car on your own

Size

The automaker has allocated a special place for the battery - be it in the engine compartment or in the trunk. The dimensions of the niche are strictly fixed, which means you can’t make a mistake with the dimensions of the “box”. For most European cars, the required overall dimensions are 242x175x190 mm.

Terminal Configuration

On most European cars, the terminals are standardized and easily fit into designated recesses on the battery. This cannot be said about other cars, for example Asian ones. The terminals of the latter often do not fit into the molded square of the “European box”, but the Asian standard size comes in handy.

Polarity

Before choosing a battery for your car, you must make sure the location of the negative and positive poles. If this is not done, the wires may not be long enough to connect the terminals to a power source with a different polarity.

Country of origin

Russian and European methods for monitoring the performance of electric batteries differ significantly. European requirements are much stricter, which means the quality of the guaranteed characteristics is obviously a little better.

date of manufacture

You should buy the “box” that has been on the store shelf for no more than 6 months.

Nominal capacity

It is regulated by the amount of energy released by a charged battery when discharged for 20 hours. The capacity is fixed in Ah. For example, a battery with a capacity of 60 Ah should produce a current of 3A for 20 hours.

Preference should be given to the capacity of the old battery. You can even do a little more - it won’t harm the generator, but in the cold it will add extra strength to the “box”.

Starting current

The rated starting current can also be found on the old battery. The higher this indicator, the easier it is for the product to light the starter.

Guarantee

In terms of warranty service, preference should be given to those devices with a warranty period of at least two years.

During the selection process, do not forget about the following tips:

• if an AGM was installed, then it must be replaced with a battery with adsorbed electrolyte;
• Having chosen a certain model, you should ask the seller to check it with a load plug: the voltage does not fall below 9 V and begins to increase over time - you can safely take such a product;
• Once you purchase the product, be sure to fully charge it.

Brands: which company to choose a modern car battery from a variety of manufacturers

The domestic motorist has the opportunity to choose products from a large number of models from the CIS countries, Europe and Asia. A huge number of models, a huge gap in price ratio - even an experienced car enthusiast can get confused here.

When analyzing the topic of which company to choose a battery for a car, it would be appropriate to refer to the battery rating . Here experts recommend not to give preference to newcomers and outsiders. In general, the situation with brands looks like this:

• The market favorite is considered to be models of German origin - Bosch. They are reliable at any temperature, high quality and durable;
• a high-quality analogue to Bosch models are products from the Varta concern. These products have been awarded more than once for best value for money;
• The batteries of the Tyumen Battery Plant can give foreign leaders a head start. Tyumen Battery have excellent electrical characteristics, are serviceable and have a very reasonable price tag;
• Batteries from the companies Zver, Topla, Exide, Medalist, AKOM, Mutlu are considered to be strong middling ones.

AGM and EFB technologies are within the capabilities of market favorites – Bosch and Varta. Banner and Exide make good AGMs.

A short life hack on choosing power sources for a car

• The future belongs to AGM and EFB batteries. Among traditional lead-acid batteries, preference should be given to hybrid models.
• When choosing a battery, you should pay attention to the dimensions, terminal configuration, polarity, production date, capacity, starting current, and warranty.
• The selected battery must be checked with a load plug: the voltage is at least 9 V after 5-10 seconds, you can safely take it.
• Market favorites Bosch, Varta and Tyumen Battery.

Source: http://autobann.su/kak-vybrat-akb-dlya-avtomobilya.html

How to choose a battery for a car

The battery life is typically three to eight years.

This time range depends on many factors, including the driving style, the presence of additional electrical appliances, and the frequency of service work.

When purchasing a battery, it is better to choose a model that will last as long as possible. To do this, you need to know the types of batteries, in what form they are sold and how to properly check the serviceability of a new battery.

When to change the battery

If in the morning the car starter is not able to crank the engine, then this is a signal of a low battery charge. In the summer, this malfunction does not manifest itself as much as in winter.

A low battery charge is only a consequence of problems, and their cause lies in the generator or the battery itself. A discrepancy between current consumption and its charge is possible when the belt tension is weakened or the generator brushes are worn out, or the terminals on the battery contacts are oxidized.

If these components and elements are in order, then you can try to restore the battery itself.

Batteries are divided into serviceable and maintenance-free.

The latter are conditionally unsuitable for any work: it all depends on the possibility of opening them while maintaining their functionality; according to the rules, it simply needs to be changed.

It is easy to distinguish a serviceable one: there are filler caps on the top of the battery. After unscrewing them, you gain access to the contents of each battery jar - an integral part of the entire battery.

Maintenance-free battery device

To restore functionality, you will need a charger and a hydrometer - a small portable device for measuring the density of the electrolyte.

First of all, we check the electrolyte level in the jars: it should be above the plates. If this is not the case, then add distilled water, not boiled water.

Next, we charge the battery for several hours: the charging period depends on the type of charger and the age of the battery.

Many “chargers” are equipped with an automatic device that turns off their power when a predetermined voltage value is reached on the battery. After this, we check the density with a hydrometer, which is considered normal in the range of 1.27–1.29 g/cm³. If the test shows the density in one or more battery banks is significantly lower than the specified values, then you will have to look for a worthy replacement.

Electrolyte density measurement

Buying a new battery: tips for choosing

When asked how to choose a battery for a car, the answer is usually a recommendation to purchase a similar one. The main parameter of a battery is capacity. It is expressed in ampere/hours and indicates the battery's ability to produce a certain amount of current for one hour.

Choosing a battery according to the manufacturer's recommendations will be quite reasonable, especially if the machine is equipped with only a basic set of current consumers. A balanced generator-battery combination allows you to maintain the battery in good, charged condition until scheduled maintenance is carried out.

Basic battery parameters

In winter, many car enthusiasts install a battery with a larger capacity than provided for in their cars. You can buy it as a main one, but only with good electrical wiring: “twists” and oxidized contacts increase the current consumption, which can lead to failure of the generator.

With normal wires, a serial generator is capable of supporting a high-capacity battery in a given charging mode. But if you doubt this, you should replace it with a more powerful one. It is important to remember that such an increase in current entails a loss of engine power, especially with all electrical consumers turned on.

It is also not always possible to place a more capacious battery under the hood: it often exceeds the installation space dimensions specified by the automaker.

In addition to capacity, the battery is selected according to the following parameters:

• the ability to add distilled water or change the electrolyte;
• ready for immediate use;
• starting current - starter discharge current at the pole terminals in engine starting mode;
• location of contact terminals;
• dimensions.

Any battery is capable of working out its guaranteed life, but often this time differs for batteries of the same capacity but different types.

Dry and charged battery

Usually, the correct choice of battery for a car does not depend on its pre-sale preparation. The store sells already charged batteries, but distinguishes between a “dry” charge and a “flooded” one. If the battery is needed urgently, then it is worth buying an already charged, “filled” version. In practice, this is a completely finished product and will only require a small recharge.

A “dry” battery really lives up to its name: the electrolyte is completely removed from it.

Before installing such a battery on a car, you will have to perform some steps: you need to fill in the electrolyte and wait up to an hour until it saturates the plates, then it will take time to charge, which varies depending on how it is stored in the warehouse, and then check with a load fork for functionality. There is a small risk that the battery will be faulty, with damage to one of the cans. In these cases, you will have to prove your non-involvement in such a situation.

There is one more disadvantage when buying such a battery. Most often, the manufacturer of a “charged” battery fills it with high-quality electrolyte. This is due to responsibility and calculation: a bad electrolyte can damage the plates quite quickly.

Buying electrolyte separately is like playing roulette; the battery can quickly fail. Usually no one will prove that the purchased electrolyte does not comply with the standards, and many car enthusiasts have superficial knowledge of chemistry.

It's easier and cheaper to buy a new battery.

The advantages of dry-charged batteries include low weight, which is convenient for transportation. There is also no chance of accidentally spilling electrolyte due to its absence. Buying a “dry” battery can be profitable: often dry-charged ones are sold at a discount due to their long shelf life in dry form.

It is worth considering that a dry-charged battery can really be stored for up to three years, but it is important to take into account the store’s warranty period. If you activate the battery after the warranty period, then any faults that arise cannot be transferred to the manufacturer. An on-site inspection of a dry battery is only possible based on appearance.

You need to be careful with batteries that have been standing on a display case for a long time in the light and heat, and this greatly reduces their service life. Relevant for batteries with electrolyte. Proper storage of the battery is in a dark, cool room, with periodic monitoring of the battery charge and, if necessary, recharging it.

Features of purchasing batteries: check or not

If knowledge of the basic characteristics described above helped you decide which battery to choose for your car, then all that remains is to put this into practice.

The following points should be taken into account in the store:

1. The seller must provide the goods for external inspection: there should be no traces of cracks or leaks (if electrolyte is present). If the battery has opening lids, then you should make sure that the electrolyte completely covers the plates and its transparency is the same in all banks. Dark, opaque indicates the closure of the plates, their sulfation.
2. It will be important to demonstrate the functionality of the battery during testing. For this, a load fork and a voltmeter are used. The absence of such control tools forces the buyer to purchase them. But it’s easier to find a store with the possibility of pre-sale control.
3. The voltage at the battery terminals must be at least 12V and remain this way when connecting the load plug for 10 seconds.
4. When purchasing a battery of a different model than the one that failed, it is important to ensure that the contact terminals are located correctly. The “plus” and “minus” of the battery should be located on the same side and in the same order as on the old one. Power wires in a car usually have a limited length.

Battery check by store employee

It is better to check a charged and serviced/unserviced battery in a store. You will have to take only the dry-charged version “blindly”. Upon receipt of the buyer's consent to purchase the product, its parameters (voltage, time under load) and the date of sale are noted in the warranty card.

It is worth purchasing a new battery from the maintenance-free category. These are the best batteries for cars, especially if you need to immediately replace a failed battery.

You can purchase dry-charged ones for future use: they can be stored for up to three years in a working, preserved state without losing their properties. For those without service, this period reaches 18 months.

Whether or not to check the battery when purchasing depends on your trust in the store. However, if circumstances favor the choice of a “dry” battery option, it is better to choose a large chain store that is unlikely to close in the near future.

Source: http://autoleek.ru/jelektrooborudovanie/akkumuljatornaja-batareja/kak-vybrat-akkumulyator-dlya-avto.html