Batteries can be referred to by the application they were designed for. These applications will range from pure starting to pure cycling or deep cycling and float service or standby/backup power. Many applications have needs somewhere in between.
- Starting batteries - for engine starting and ignition applications
- EFB batteries - for Micro-cycling in start-stop engine technology
- Float batteries - for UPS/Telecom or standby backup power applications
- Cyclic batteries - for light-duty lighting and accessory loads in RV/Marine applications
- Renewable energy batteries - for long-life, high-cycle use in off grid applications
- Deep Cycle - for medium-duty loads in general-purpose Golf Carts/RV/Marine and Renewable applications
- Commercial Semi-Traction - for heavy-duty high-rate deep cycling loads in commercial applications
- Industrial Traction - for heavy-duty use in industrial equipment such as electric forklifts
A battery can be described by the Chemistry of the alloys used in the production of the batteries' grids or plates:
- Lead Calcium alloys – primarily used in maintenance-free starting batteries
- Lead Calcium/Antimony hybrid alloys – mainly used for commercial vehicles starting
- Lead High Antimony and/or Lead Low Antimony alloys – mainly used for general-purpose Deep Cycle batteries to support motor controllers or inverters
Amongst other things, the alloy (chemistry) used in the production of the battery grid, paste and final plates will dictate how well the battery will cycle, how long it will live when properly maintained, how much it will gas when being discharged and charged and how much water it will use as it works. Typically, calcium alloys will use less water and will live better in heat. Batteries made with Semi-Traction Industrial Type calcium plates will have the advantage of long life in Deep Cycle applications and eliminated maintenance requirements. Batteries with higher Antimony alloys will generally deliver good to excellent cycle life but will use more water in the process requiring rigorous maintenance schedules to realize actual design life. Hybrid alloys will perform somewhere in between, closer to the calcium alloy spectrum.
There are many different batteries currently in production throughout the world. Lead-acid batteries can “generally” be described first by Type or Construction:
- Sealed Valve Regulated or Starved Electrolyte
- Sealed Maintenance-free Flooded
- Accessible Maintenance-free Flooded
- Maintenance required Flooded 2V cells for Industrial Traction (forklift type), Long Life Stationary (Data and Critical System Backup Power), and 6V or 12V Semi-Traction commercial batteries or deep cycle (such as golf cart) batteries or hybrid commercial vehicle batteries.
Sealed valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) or starved electrolyte (DRY CELL) AGM or GEL types use a solution of sulfuric acid and water completely suspended into a GEL-like material using silicate additives or absorbed into a woven glass fibre mat (AGM). There is no excess electrolyte to leak out even if tipped or turned upside down. This Sealed “Non-spillable” characteristic is a product of the construction and chemistry of the battery design.
Sealed Maintenance-free, Flooded and Accessible Maintenance-free Flooded types use a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out of the battery if tipped. Even though the Sealed Maintenance-free Flooded batteries are not accessible, electrolytes will eventually leak out through the central degassing manifold vents if tipped. Some Maintenance free flooded batteries have removable filler caps making the battery accessible.
Maintenance required flooded 2V, 6V or 12V industrial, commercial, general purpose Deep Cycle and hybrid batteries use a solution of sulfuric acid and water that can spill out of the battery if tipped. These batteries generally require high levels of watering and maintenance.