Battery; How It Works; Starting Battery; Deep Cycle Battery - Holiday Navigator 2003 Owner's Manual

Batteries come in different sizes, types, amp hours, voltages and
chemistries. There are nearly as many descriptions of battery types and how
they should be used as there are people willing to offer advice on them.
Although it is not possible to cover batteries in their entirety, there are guide-
lines that can be followed to ensure that the batteries are well maintained.
The operation of the battery is based on a chemical reaction. The battery is
a container of lead plates, insulators and a solution of distilled water and sulfuric
acid. The solution, when mixed together, is known as "electrolyte." The 12 Volt
battery is actually six batteries in one case. When charged, each cell has a
voltage of 2.1 Volts. When six cells are hooked together this makes a 12.6 Volt
battery (fully charged).
Electrons are stored on the negative plates. When a load (eg. a light bulb) is
placed between the positive and negative terminals, the electrons move from
the negative plate to the positive plate through the "load" and then back to the
ground terminal. At this time the sulfuric acid leaves the water and adheres
onto the plates of the battery. The electrolyte solution keeps the electrons from
flowing while the battery is in the "at rest" position.
Charging the battery moves the sulfuric acid back into solution with the
distilled water. A battery left in a low or discharged state will cause the acid to
"sulfate." In attempting to recharge the battery, the acid has become hardened
and no longer will leave the plates and enter into the liquid solution with the
distilled water. The lowered acid to water ratio has a direct affect on the
battery's ability to release the stored electrons (power output) and the length of
time it can perform (reserve capacity). Batteries left in a discharged condition
will readily freeze. This can crack the case allowing the solution to spill, it can
also warp the plates. The acid acts like an "antifreeze" for the battery. This is why
batteries should not be left or stored in a "discharged" condition.
Starting batteries are designed for high output cranking power, but not for
deep cycling like the house batteries are designed to do. Starting batteries will
not last long in deep cycle application. The way they are rated should give a
good indication of their intended use. "Cold Cranking Ampere" is a measure-
ment of amperage output that can be sustained for 30 seconds. Starting batteries
use thin plates to maximize the surface area of the battery. This allows a very
high starting current but lets the plates warp when the battery is deep cycled
(discharged).
Deep cycle batteries are best suited for use with 12 Volt operated lights,
appliances and inverters. Deep cycle batteries are designed to have a majority
of their capacity used before being recharged. These are available in many
sizes and types. The most common is a non-sealed, liquid electrolyte battery.
The non-sealed types have battery caps. The caps should be removed periodically
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N A V I G A T O R 2 0 0 3
Electrical Systems - House

BATTERY

- How It Works

Starting Battery

Deep Cycle
Battery
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