STANDARD Batteries

It concerns a set of mechanisms that utilize a modern battery in order to significantly reduce fuel consumption in a modern car.

When the car is temporarily stopped (eg at a traffic light), the engine is switched off for economy. At the same time, however, the car's systems (sound system, air conditioning, windshield wipers, lights, power steering, etc.) are still working thanks to the battery.

When the car needs to move, the battery is required to jump start the engine until the next traffic light goes out again. While in an older car the engine started at the beginning of the journey and turned off at the end, in a car with a start stop system the process can be repeated dozens of times.

At the same time, the above can be combined with a system that utilizes braking by charging the battery during deceleration and with a consumption assistance system by disconnecting the dynamo when the charge level is sufficient.

Because they cover completely different needs!

There is a huge difference in required cranking current (CCA – Cold Cranking Ampere) between a small petrol car engine and a large (eg 10 – 12 thousand cc) diesel engine with very high cylinder compression.

There is a huge difference in capacity, since the batteries of a truck for eg international transport should cover entertainment and use requirements for 10-12 hours during the rest period of the professional driver (and therefore engine off).

There is a huge difference in reliability requirements, since we are talking about vehicles that are moving 365 days a year and even in foreign countries and far from their base.

Finally, there is a huge difference in depth and discharge cycle requirements. An automotive battery faces significantly milder use with significantly lower mechanical and electrical stress needs and requirements.

A typical car battery should be kept at a minimum of 75% charge. If the battery fluctuates greatly in charge and does not return to above 75%, it should be replaced as it reaches the end of its life.

Apart from the repeated difficulty in starting, the frequent messages of (non-existent) problems should make us think. As modern cars are electronically loaded, they do not react properly when the battery voltage is low.

Enhanced Flooded Battery type batteries are essentially an evolution of "standard" liquid batteries, but providing much better reliability and performance characteristics for vehicles with greater demands.

They are ideal for a vehicle with start-stop technology (without energy recovery during braking), or for truck fleets where reliability and maximum performance are a priority.

They usually consist of a single cell in contact with an electrolyte with improved composition, strength and performance characteristics. Thanks to the continuous circulation of the electrolyte, the density is kept constant, the charge acceptance is faster and the overall reliability is much superior.

The car battery (like any rechargeable battery) essentially stores electricity to deliver it when we need it. Its purpose is to fully meet the vehicle's electricity needs at any given time, while at the same time it stores energy when the power supply from the car's dynamo is greater than the current consumption.

It consists of a multitude of smaller elements, comprising lead plates immersed in an acidic electrolyte. When there is a need for electricity (eg we unlock the parked car and the electromagnetic locks need to work), through a chemical reaction between the plates and the electrolyte the required energy is provided.

Accordingly, when the engine (and thus the dynamo) is running, the current energy supply is greater than the current need and the excess is stored in the battery cells by exactly the reverse electrochemical process.

In the event that our battery covers large energy needs for a long time without being charged, its load and voltage decrease. The reduction can even reach the point where the engine can no longer be started.

Given that the simplest way to charge is through the dynamo of our car, we will need the help of another battery to be able to start the engine. In such a case, the two batteries are connected in parallel, the motor is started and they are disconnected immediately afterwards.

With one engine running, it takes about half an hour to fully charge the battery with the engine idling. This time is reduced if the car is moving, so the engine is running at much more than 700-800 revolutions per minute. Accordingly, this time period can be increased in cases of increased power consumption (eg at night with lights on), low temperature and/or old & damaged battery.

Given that the electrolytic solution is extremely acidic, being based on sulfuric acid, extreme care is needed! If the electrolyte touches the skin it will cause an immediate burn, while in case of contact with the eyes there is a very high risk of blindness! In case you come into contact with the electrolyte, immediate rinsing with running water and examination by a corresponding doctor is required.

To avoid this, we use safety equipment (especially gloves/goggles) and avoid movements or procedures that are likely to bring us into contact with acidic liquids. For example, we do not open a closed type battery for any reason, we do not stand bending over a battery that is being charged, we make sure that the liquid caps are hermetically closed after charging.

Let's leave the handling of batteries to the experts and certified technicians!

It is the ability of a given battery to maintain capacity over many discharge and charge cycles. It is logical that the capacity of a battery decreases with the passage of time and with the number of charge-discharge cycles it has faced. It is also logical that there are differences in cycle capacity depending on the type and quality of each battery. At Standard-Batteries we can recommend the battery that meets your needs.

Before connecting the 2 batteries in parallel, make sure that all the car's systems (eg lights, radio, etc.) are off. We also make sure to connect the positive pole of one battery to the positive pole of the other and the negative pole of one back to the negative pole of the other. It is no coincidence that the starter cables have different colors (black and red respectively). In the event of a wrong connection, a spark will be created with an immediate risk of fire, while the (sensitive) electronics of the car are also at risk.