Buying car batteries can get tricky since drivers are inundated with infinite brands, types and features. Thus, we aim to make the process simple by listing the features every car battery type seems to provide to the vehicle. You can find a variety of car battery types and sizes in India which can be confusing to you at times. Hence, we aim to resolve it for you. Based on your requirements, you can go ahead and pick the suitable one for your use or discuss with an expert.
Lead Acid Battery
Also known as “wet batteries” is predominantly used in cars across the globe. It’s one of the most affordable and serviceable kinds. Lead-acid car batteries are designed to provide long-lasting service life. It lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 to 12+ years depending on the process of manufacturing the batteries. These car batteries require the least maintenance. The batteries work in short bursts to deliver power to the starter motor.
SLI Battery (Start, Lighting and Ignition)
As the name suggests, the SLI battery works to start the internal combustion engine. It discharges briefly at a higher current. These batteries provide an immediate power boost while retaining enough power. It powers all the electronic components of the car including interior and exterior lights, infotainment system and more. The only drawback of SL batteries is their short charge cycle. It takes a significant amount of time to charge while also discharges quickly. The batteries run for several years without any inconvenience.
Deep Cycle Battery
Constructed using thicker battery plates and denser active material, the Deep cycle batteries withstand repeated charge and discharge cycles. These batteries don’t provide high bursts of power for a short period, rather designed to deliver sustained power with the lower current for a long period. Deep cycle batteries are a bit steep for their high discharge rate. However, these batteries have a long shelf life, upto six to seven years with proper care.
VRLA Battery
A VRLA battery or valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery is sealed with no ventilation of gases. It’s compact in size, making it easy to store. Since these batteries are sealed, it doesn’t emit hydrogen gas, thus, considered the safest battery. The only issue with VRLA batteries is that they’re sealed, making them unserviceable. There are two VRLA car battery types: AGM battery and the Gel cell battery. AGM Battery - Absorbed Glass Mat Battery (AGM) are designed with electrolyte held in glass mats. It’s designed to support the high energy demands of modern cars. AGM batteries work better compared to their flooded and gel cell counterparts. It charges 5X faster and withstands 3X more cycle life than an ordinary car battery. AGM batteries are suitable for cars with automatic start-stop applications and brake energy recovery. The only drawback of AGM batteries is their high cost. Gel Cell Battery - The gel cell battery contains a “gelified” electrolyte and is considered tough. It’s known for its strong resistance to hot temperature, physical shock, electrolyte evaporation, and spillage. Gel cell batteries are vibration and shock-resistant with extended cycle life.
Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
A lesser-known but most commonly used in hybrid vehicles, Nickel-Metal batteries have a longer life cycle than lead-acid or lithium-ion car batteries. It also has a high self-discharge rate, produces high heat at hot temperatures and is pretty expensive. Making them suitable for hybrid cars but not so effective enough for rechargeable electric vehicles.
Silver Calcium Battery
Silver-calcium batteries are designed as a modification over the wet battery technology. It’s a lead-acid battery with an electrolyte solution but utilizes lead-calcium-silver plates instead of lead-antimony plates. These batteries are known for being powerful resistant to corrosion and hot temperatures. Giving them a long lifespan for a hotter climate. It’s also sealed and requires the least maintenance. The only downside of silver calcium batteries is the need for high charging voltage and quick deterioration from sulfation
Types of Car Battery Sizes Are there different car battery sizes? Yes, there are. Battery group sizes indicate the physical size of a car battery including the ideal height, width and length required. It also mentions the polarity i.e where the positive and negative battery posts are present on the battery. Not every car uses one particular car battery. Each one has its own battery size. The different types of car battery sizes aim to provide a simplified solution to help manufacturers reduce costs. It makes replacing your car battery at your local shop simple and ensures the installation of the proper size and type for your vehicle.
Side Post Batteries Few car manufacturers use specific group sizes more than others. For instance, General Motors vehicles use a side-post battery. A side post battery contains cable ends that screw into the side of the battery rather than the top of the battery.
Recessed Top Post Batteries European car manufacturers like Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes Benz and more use an international standard battery. The battery top posts are recessed in the corner so that the battery’s top is the same as the main height of the battery. Most of these battery group sizes have a built-in specialized ventilation system and are installed in the trunk or under the back seat.
Standard Top Post Batteries Japanese and most American-made cars use standard top-post battery fitments. It’s the most popular battery group size used in India.
Summing Up Consider getting a replacement battery in a larger size than the previous one. A taller car battery that remains at its original place and sits in the harness securely. How does a larger capacity battery size help? A larger capacity battery delivers more power than the previous model. And if it happens to be a standard top post model, ensure the terminals aren’t in contact with the internal part of the hood. It can increase the risk of a short circuit and perhaps cause a fire.
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