| AGM Battery |
Commonly referred to as Absorbed Glass Mat battery. The electrolyte solution is absorbed into the
separators. This keeps the batteries from ever leaking fluid if broken. |
| Alkaline |
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) often used in electronic applications like kids toys, cd players,
radios, PDA's, etc.. All alkaline batteries have a voltage of 1.5 volts. |
| Ampere-Hour Capacity |
The amount of electricity measured in ampere-hours(AH) that may be delivered by a battery
under certain conditions. (A current of one ampere for one hour is equal to 1AH). |
| Capacity |
The electrical energy expressed in ampere hours. The energy is referenced to the
discharge current for a measured period of time until it reaches a cut-off voltage.
|
| Cranking Amps |
The discharge load in amperes which a new, fully charged battery at 32 degrees F(0c) can
continuously deliver for 30 seconds and maintain a terminal voltage equal to or greater
than 1.2 volts per cell.
|
| Cold Cranking Amps |
The discharge load in amperes which a new, fully charged battery at 0 degrees F
(-17.8C) can continuously deliver for 30 seconds and maintain a terminal voltage
equal to or greater than 1.2 volts per cell.
|
| Carbon/Zinc |
A primary battery (non rechargeable) commonly used in low drain devices like
clocks, calculators, garage door openers, etc. This is a step down from the
alkaline but is a reliable, cost effective battery option.
|
| Cycle |
A process consisting of a single charge and discharge of a rechargeable battery.
|
| Cycle Life |
The number of cycles a battery can provide before it is no longer usable (a
battery is considered non-usable if its nominal capacity falls below 60-80%)
|
| Dry Cell |
A cell with immobilized electrolyte. This is used for a number of applications.
|
| Electrode |
Conducting element within a cell in which an electrochemical reaction occurs. Usually
includes active materials plus conductive and supportive elements.
|
| Electrolyte |
The medium which provides the ion transport between the positive and negative electrodes of a cell.
|
| Energy |
The output capability of a cell or battery, usually expressed in watt-hours.
Usually figured by (voltage x current) multiplied by time.
|
| Fast Charge |
Typical fast charge time for a NiCD is 1 to 3 hours. Most fast chargers detect the state
of charge and switch to trickle when full-charge is reached.
|
| Float Charge |
Similar to trickle charge. Compensates for self-discharge on SLA batteries.
|
| Gel Batteries |
A new form of lead acid batteries. The acid solution is gelified to keep from leaking if broken.
Commonly used in wheelchair applications.
|
| Hourly Rate |
A discharge rate, in amperes, of a battery which can deliver the specified hours of service to a
given cutoff voltage.
|
| Lead Acid |
Still the most commonly used battery today. They power most automobiles, commercial applications, etc.
It is very cost effective, but provides good capacity and life. The other forms of lead acid batteries are
gel and AGM which are used in wheelchairs, backup systems, and countless other applications.
|
| Lithium |
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) that is being used in a lot of today's devices. They are
used for keyless entry remotes, blood glucose machines, backup for PDA's, etc. These batteries are
low cost power supply and have a shelf life of 5-10 years.
|
| Lithium-Ion |
One of the newest technologies in rechargeable batteries. It can deliver 4 times the capacity
of the standard NiCD battery. Advantages are that they are very light weight, have smaller cells, and have increased
capacity. They are used in a lot of today's cellphones and computers, however they tend to be a
little more expensive.
|
| Load Current |
The discharge current provided by a battery or drawn by a battery powered device.
|
| Memory |
Reversible loss of capacity found in NiCD batteries. It is when a battery or cell operating in a
number of cycles to a certain level, but less than full depth of discharge temporarily loses the rest
of its capacity at normal voltage.
|
| Milliamps |
Refers to battery capacity. A 1/1000th of an amp, e.g.: 1.0Ah = 1000mAh
|
| NiCD Batteries |
One of the first rechargeable battery technologies. Very useful but have some disadvantages like
memory effect, size, and life. Used in a lot of older devices and still today in a lot of power tools
for their discharge capabilities.
|
| Nickle-Metal Hydride |
A replacement for the NiCD battery. They are interchangeable with most NiCD batteries.
Nickle-Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH) generally have 10-25% more capacity than standard NiCD
batteries. They are also environmentally safer since they don't contain cadmium. NiMH batteries
also do not have a memory effect.
|
| Nominal Voltage |
A given voltage of a cell that is accepted as an industry standard. (Cell voltage of 1.2 and 1.25
volts are used for NiCD and NiMH batteries.)
|
| Overcharging |
Continuous charging of a battery after it reaches full charge. The battery can no longer
absorb any further charge and the charge current turns into heat, causing
damage to the battery.
|
| Primary Battery |
A battery that is non-rechargeable. The active materials on the primary battery are
irreversibly converted during the chemical reaction which produces energy.
|
| Rapid Charge |
A charge time that is between slow charge and fast charge (typically 3-6 hours).
|
| Recondition |
One or more deep discharge cycle below 1.0 volt/cell at a very low, controlled current.
Recondition helps to revert large crystals to small desirable sizes, often restoring the battery
to its full capacity.
|
| Reserve Capacity |
The number of minutes which new, fully charged batteries at 80 degree F (26.7C) can
be continuously discharged at 25 amperes and maintain a terminal voltage equal
to or greater than 1.75 volts per cell.
|
| Self Discharge |
Capacity loss during storage due to internal leakage between the positive and negative
cell plates.
|
| Slow Charge |
Typically an overnight charge lasting about 14 hours at a charge current of 0.1C.
Battery does not require instant removal when fully charged.
|
| Service Life |
The period of useful life of a battery before a predetermined end-point voltage is
reached.
|
| Silver/Oxide |
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) commonly known as miniature cells. These are used in watches,
calculators, kids toys, etc. The cells are typically very small and referred to as button cells.
|
| Specific Gravity |
The weight of the sulfuric-acid electrolyte compared to water.
|
| Sulfation |
Growth of lead sulfate crystals in SLA batteries which inhibits current flow. Sulfation is caused by
storage at low state of charge.
|
| Trickle Charge |
Maintenance charge to compensate for battery's self-discharge.
|
| Voltage |
A unit of measuring electrical pressure, all batteries are rated in volts
DC (direct current)
|
| Watts |
A measurement of energy, arrived at by multiplying the voltage by the amperage.
|
| Zinc/Air |
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) commonly used in hearing aids.
|
