Unit-1 Batteries

Content
• Function of battery

• Different types of battery [construction and working]

• Battery charging

• Battery testing

• Performance of battery

• Battery rating and capacity

• Battery efficiency

• Battery maintenance
 Functions of Battery
A vehicle battery has several important functions, which are as follows:

• It must operate the starting motor, ignition system, electronic fuel injection system, and other electrical devices for
the engine during engine cranking and starting.
• It must supply electrical power for the vehicle electrical system even when the engine is not running.
• It must help the charging system provide electricity when current demands are above the output limit of the
charging system.
• It must act as a capacitor (voltage stabilizer) that easy current flow through the electrical system.
• It must store energy (electricity) for extended periods.
Lead Acid Battery
Components of lead acid battery
• Plates of two types are used, one for the positive plate group, the other for the negative plate group. A
positive plate group is nested with a negative plate group.

• BATTERY TERMINALS. - Battery terminals provide a means of connecting the battery plates to the
electrical system of the vehicle. Either two round post or two side terminals can be used.

• Separators:- are placed between the plates to form an element The separators hold the plates apart so that
they do not touch. At the same time the separators are porous enough to permit liquid in circulate
between the plates. Wooden sheets, spun glass matted into sheets and porous sponge rubber sheets have
been used as separators.
• An effective separator must possess a number of mechanical properties; such as permeability, porosity, pore size
distribution, specific surface area, mechanical design and strength, electrical resistance, ionic conductivity, and
chemical compatibility with the electrolyte. In service, the separator must have good resistance to acid and
oxidation. The area of the separator must be a little larger than the area of the plates to prevent material shorting
between the plates. The separators must remain stable over the battery's operating temperature range.

• The Battery cover or container:- has openings through which liquid can be added water; the filler plug or vent
caps are removed. After the liquid is added and the battery is given an initial charge. It is ready for operation.
Maintenance-free batteries have no vent caps.

• ELECTROLYTE. - The electrolyte solution in a fully charged battery is a solution of concentrated sulfuric acid in
water. This solution is about 60 percent water and about 40 percent sulfuric acid.
Working of Lead Acid Batteries
Advantages Of Lead Acid Batteries
• Low maintenance required

• Available in all shapes and sizes.

• Best in terms of reliability & working capabilities.

• Withstand slow, fast & overcharging.

• Capable to withstand long term inactivity with or without solvent.

• Have the longest life cycle and a large environmental advantage.

• 97% of the lead is recycled and reused in new batteries.

Disadvantages Of Lead Acid Batteries

• Limited number of full discharges.

• Danger of overheating during charging.

• In some cases it may releases acid fumes, which can cause numerous health issues
in terms of long time exposure.

• Corrosion may decrease battery life, so must be avoided through proper

maintenance.
 Alkaline Battery [Ni-Cd]
• positive plate – nickel hydrate (NiOOH)
• Negative plate – cadmium (Cd)
• electrolyte – potassium hydroxide (KOH) and water (H2O)

• The process of charging involves the oxygen moving from the

negative plate to the positive plate, and the reverse when
discharging. When fully charged, the negative plate becomes
pure cadmium and the positive plate becomes nickel hydrate.
A chemical equation to represent this reaction,

• These batteries do not suffer from over-charging because once the

cadmium oxide has changed to cadmium, no further reaction can take
place.
• Advantages of Alkaline Battery
• It is lighter than lead acid battery
• It is mechanical strong and can be used for rough use
• The rate of charging can be much higher the discharge rate when left standing is very low compared to lead acid battery
• Comparatively longer life

Dis-Advantages
• The voltage of each cell in the alkaline battery is only 1.2 compared to 2 volts for lead acid cell.
• Initial cost is higher compared to lead acid battery
• Cannot be reused again
Zinc Air Battery
• It draws the energy from the zinc within its cell and
from oxygen of the atmosphere.

• It consists of porous zinc oxide in the center and a thin

air cathode on each side .

• Air cathodes are made of hydrophobic material that is

impervious to electrolyte but allows air to pass through
it

• The electrolyte used is KOH

Advantages of zinc-air battery
• High energy density
• Readily available and cheap raw materials are used
• Good discharge characteristics

Dis-Advantages of zinc-air battery

• The carbon dioxide from the air forms carbonate which reduces conductivity
Lithium battery

• Anode :aluminum foil coated with

graphite

• Cathode : copper foil coated with

lithium metal oxide

• Electrolyte : Gel type polymer

• Separator : non conducing material

(plastic type material)
Lithium Battery
Advantages of lithium ion batteries:

• They have high energy density

• They are lighter in weight

• They have high voltage compared to other batteries

• They have improved safety

• Fast charging and discharging rate

Dis-Advantages of lithium ion batteries:

They are expensive

They are not available in standard cell types

They require sophisticated chargers to carefully monitor the charging process

 Battery Ratings
It is based on the current it can produce and the time for which it can sustain this current .

The different ways in which they are rated are as follows :

• Twenty hour rate (ampere rate capacity):the rate of current battery can delivery continuously for 20 hours after
which the cell voltage should not drop below 1.75.

• Twenty minute rate: the rate of current battery can delivery continuously for 20 min after which the cell voltage
should not drop below 1.5.

• Reserve capacity: it indicates how long it can supply power to engine even when charging system fail.

• Cold rate ( zero test or cranking ability test): it’s the ability of battery to supply current in worst condition ie
( cold starting ).

• Generally a battery is rated as follows 44Ah , 60 RC, 170A CCA.

 Battery Charging
What is the need of charging of battery ?

Types of charging are :

• Slow and quick rate charging :
• Trickle charging :
• Dry charged batteries :
 Battery Testing
The different test that are conducted are :

• Specific gravity test

• Open volt test

• High discharge test

• Cadmium test
 1. Specific Gravity Test
Condition of battery cell Specific Gravity of
electrolyte
Fully charged 1.290
Half charged 1.200
Completely discharged 1.110

2. Open Volt Test

Condition of battery cell Voltmeter value in volts

Fully charged 12.6

Half charged 12.2
Completely discharged 11.9
3.High Discharge Test
• The test is conducted for 05 to 10 sec
at the end of which the voltage should
not fall bellow 1.5 volts and difference
between cell should not exceed 0.2
volts .

• The test should be conducted only on

fully charged or half charged battery
Cadmium Test
 Battery Terminology
• Battery Capacity : It is the amount of current it can deliver , and it depends upon
number and area of plates in the cell and quality of electrolyte.

• Battery Efficiency : It is the rate at which the current is discharged from the
battery at normal condition . It is noted that as temperature decreases the
efficiency decreases.

• Battery Ratting : It is based on the current it can produce and the time for which
it can sustain this current.
Battery performance
 Battery Trouble Shooting
• Self discharge

• Sulphation

• Internal short circuiting

• Deterioration of plates

• Cracking of container

• Corrosion of battery terminals and clamps

• Loss of water

• Cell gravity variation

• Discolouring of electrolyte
Battery Maintenance chart