If you’re not familiar with traditional lead-acid batteries, you may be surprised to learn they require regular maintenance to effectively hold a charge.
Batteries that are not properly maintained will quickly lose their charge and are unable to hold their rated capacity. This happens frequently in automotive batteries. On the other hand, maintenance free batteries are now available to minimize the amount of work you need to do to keep your battery healthy. Here’s what you need to know.
No Adding Fluid
The principle form of maintenance required for lead-acid batteries involves replacing electrolyte fluid that is lost over time. As the fluid evaporates or purges itself from the battery, the individual battery cells begin to dry up and stop functioning. While this process is relatively simple, it can be daunting for those who are not familiar with taking batteries apart. Newer maintenance-free systems are completely sealed. This allows electrolyte liquid to stay in place, even when it changes forms, so that the battery never leaks or loses fluid. Once the battery cools back down, the electrolyte condenses once more and returns to its cells.
How It Works
Maintenance free batteries are notable for using special valves that can release pressure inside the battery in case of overheating or over pressurization. These valves keep the battery from bursting while allowing the electrolyte to expand in its gaseous form. In addition, maintenance free batteries allow the condensed water to return to the system and remix with the electrolyte’s other ingredients. Older batteries did not have an effective system for converting condensed water back into useful electrolyte. These modern batteries use a filler material to hold the electrolyte in place so it can be effectively reabsorbed.
Practical Applications
Maintenance free batteries are particularly useful in applications where removing the battery to add liquid would be difficult or time consuming. They are especially useful in
medical equipment and backup power systems because they can go extended periods of time between uses without breaking down. The filler materials used in these batteries also make maintenance-free sealed batteries ideal for applications where the battery could be tipped or mounted sideways because they will not leak.
MK Battery carries a full selection of maintenance free batteries for any type of application.
Contact us today to see our catalogue.
