What is a Lead Acid Battery-Types of Lead Acid Battery

Small Consumer Sealed

Small consumer sealed lead batteries are six-volt batteries that provide extended cycling service. Consumer sealed batteries power many consumer products, such as drills, flashlights, children’s toys and electric starters for gas lawn mowers.

Starting

Starting batteries are used to start engines on cars, boats and many other vehicles. Starting batteries provide a short burst of strong power in order to start the engine.

Deep Cycle

Deep cycle batteries power various electrical accessories, such as lights, trolling motors or winches, and motorized wheelchairs. Deep cycle batteries provide a low, steady level of power for a longer duration than a starting battery.

Dual Purpose

Dual purpose batteries are designed to serve a balanced combination of starting and deep cycle service. Dual purpose batteries have a high starting power for engine cranking but are able to withstand the cycle service demands from multiple accessory loads. Historically, most recreational vehicle (RV) and marine batteries have been designed to serve the dual purpose of starting engines and providing lighting and ignition (SLI) and also providing limited deep cycle capability for ‘house loads’ when the engine is not running. More recently, over the road trucks (18-wheelers) have increased their deep cycling requirements to provide deep cycling capability to limit the amount of time idling the engine when the driver has reached his legal driving time limit.

Industrial

Industrial batteries, such as cell tower back-up power, provide a low, steady power for a longer duration than a typical deep cycle battery. The plates are thicker, and there is a higher amount of total energy available for a longer period of time. Industrial batteries have the ability to last for years and can be used in stationary applications that provide critical back-up power to systems that need constant power supply. Industrial batteries are often not called upon to deliver power, but when they are, it is required that they deliver an abundance of power that will last long enough for reserve generators to take over. Often times, industrial batteries are configured as systems to accommodate large power demands.

Nearly all lead batteries are made of recycled lead and plastic, and all are recycled at the end of their service lives. For more information on battery recycling, visit the recycling section.