Car Batteries are a kind of lead-acid rechargeable batteries. There primary purpose is to deliver electrical power to all the other areas of the car. They are typically made of six galvanic cells in series each offering 2.1 volts to get a sum of 12.6 volts at full charge. This type of set up is what you come across in pretty much all cars created. The only exception is for highly powerful vehicles like highway trucks or tractors which could have two batteries in series to generate a 24 volt system.

To understand the distinction amongst a top quality car battery and a inexpensive battery you will need to study how a rechargeable lead-acid car battery works. Inside the battery you'll find several plates of lead dioxide which are in contact with an acid solution. The acid reacts together with the lead dioxide and creates a chemical reaction that results in all the electrons flowing in one direction. This flow of electrons is what emits the electricity required throughout the car. Overtime the chemical reaction transforms the lead dioxide into lead sulphate and once this comes about no additional chemical reaction amongst the acid and the plates can take place. If you recharge the battery by running electricity from the opposite direction the chemical reaction is reversed and the lead sulphate transforms back into lead dioxide and the battery can get used once more. This process can get repeated countless times over till a part of this process breaks down and it becomes time to buy an additional battery for the car.

Usually over time a car battery starts to wear out. It takes longer to charge and its charge lasts for a shorter period. This typically comes about simply because in the process of changing the plates from lead dioxide to lead sulphate and back again some bits from the plate begins to shed off and collect at the bottom. Over time there exists a smaller amount surface on the lead plate so the charge gets shorter. In extreme cases enough material can gather on the bottom and result in a short circuit.

Another common cause of one's battery wearing out is something referred to as sulphation. This comes about when the battery is left in a zero charge state for too long. Lead sulphate starts to form crystals within the plates. They are a non conductive layer that covers over the conductive parts in the plate. The longer the battery remains at a zero charge state the larger the crystals form and tougher it becomes to reverse.

So is it worth investing in a top of line car battery or do you think you're better off going with a low cost substitute. Cheap car batteries are generally not constructed as well and the lead sulphate can leak out on the battery terminals and lead to corrosion. You're going to know this has happened should you discover a white powder across the terminals. The powder is poisonous by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact so be mindful should you discover this. The lead plates and acid solution can vary a little but are usually pretty standard so as long as you care for your battery by not overcharging or keeping it at a zero charge state for too long it ought to last roughly as long as the best. Car batteries are powerful and potentially dangerous so it is not a great strategy to attempt and save a little bit of money by buying a battery that may leak acid. My advice would be to invest a bit more money and feel confident you will be purchasing a quality battery.