How Does a Lead-Acid Battery Work?
Moving Electrons
Batteries play an important part in your vehicle’s operation. Flooded lead-acid batteries are the most common type found in production vehicles. But what makes up one of these car batteries?
Inside a flooded lead-acid battery is six individual cells containing multiple positive and negative plates. In between the plates is a permeable separator. The plates rest in an electrolyte solution composed of 65 percent water and 35 percent sulfuric acid.
The negative plates with the electrolyte solution and release electrons. When the battery terminals are connected, the electrons are attracted to the positive plates. The resulting reaction produces water. This chemical reaction is what creates the energy/power.
The plates are connected to cell connectors, and the cell connectors are connected via a tombstone weld on the cell wall.
Each cell produces approximately two volts, and six cells connected in series results in a 12-volt car battery.
The solution within lead-acid batteries is free-flowing, as the batteries are not sealed. This allows hydrogen and oxygen to escape. The car batteries then require maintenance, in which you have to add water and ensure that the batteries are installed upright to prevent spills.
Find Out More About How Car Batteries Work
COMPANY DETAILS |
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OPTIMA Batteries |
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(888) 867-8462 |
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5757 N. Green Bay Ave. |
Milwaukee, WI 53209 |
ABOUT OPTIMA Batteries®
With a 40-year history of technological innovation and engineering, OPTIMA® products offer unstoppable power for extreme enthusiasts and others who require the ultimate power source. In the 1970s, OPTIMA Batteries introduced the first maintenance-free lead acid batteries for commercial and military use and the first high‐performance AGM automotive batteries. OPTIMA innovation didn’t stop there.
