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Which Battery is Best for Your Car?

When it’s time to replace the battery in your automobile, how do you choose?

While the primary purpose of your car’s battery is to supply voltage to the starter, it also provides power for the other electrical needs, such as headlights, windshield wipers, radio and other accessories. Choosing wisely can provide you with longer battery life and better battery performance mile after mile.

A simple guiding principle is to never downgrade from the battery your car has upon purchase or lease. Stay with a battery that is comparable to, or better than, the one you are replacing. As always, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for battery care and handling and direct any questions to your battery professional.

There are several different types of batteries available today.

Flooded Lead Acid Battery (Wet Cell)

Conventional flooded lead acid batteries have been around a long time, are very common, reliable and are less expensive than some other types of batteries. But there are some drawbacks. These batteries have cells that are filled with electrolyte solution (sulfuric acid and water). Periodically, the water level must be topped off to keep the battery functioning properly. Since flooded lead acid batteries are filled with liquid, they must be installed in an upright position to avoid spillage. If the batteries are discharged below 50% of their Depth of Discharge (DOD), there can be a substantial reduction in battery life. Flooded lead acid batteries also release toxic gases when charging and must be vented to the outside air.

Enhanced Flooded Battery

Enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) are an improved version of the conventional flooded lead acid battery. While they still use an electrolyte solution, they are a sealed battery, meaning no water needs to be added. EFB batteries tend to last longer than conventional flooded lead acid batteries.

Lithium-ion Battery

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used in hybrid or electric vehicles and often are backed up by an auxiliary lead acid battery.

Standard (Calcium) Absorbed Glass Mat Battery

Standard (calcium) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are sealed and are designated as valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries. As compared to open vented plugs in flooded batteries, these batteries have built-in valves, which helps in the release of excess gases in the event of the overcharge of batteries. In these batteries, generally lead calcium electrodes are used to minimize gassing and water loss.

AGM Battery with Thin Plate Pure Lead Technology

AGM Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries, such as ODYSSEY® batteries from EnerSys®, offer distinct advantages over other battery technologies. In AGM TPPL batteries, fiberglass mat separators saturated with electrolyte solution are tightly compressed between thin pure lead plates. The compression limits the “shedding” of plate material and provides significantly longer battery life. The compression also lowers internal resistance and maximizes power output. A rugged battery case maintains the compression during the life of the battery. ODYSSEY® batteries are spill proof, resistant to shock and vibration and work well under extreme temperatures – offering twice the power and three times the life of conventional flooded lead acid batteries.

You can’t go wrong by choosing the best

If your car already has an AGM battery, you should replace it with another AGM battery to avoid serious issues that could occur by using a lower performing battery technology. If your car has a conventional flooded lead acid battery, EFB battery or a standard calcium AGM battery, consider replacing it with an ODYSSEY® battery. In all these scenarios, a high-quality ODYSSEY® battery is one of the best decisions you can make.

To follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook by using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY.

 ABOUT ENERSYS®

EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies and numerous applications. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles requiring stored energy solutions. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. With the NorthStar acquisition, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries, which are sold across all three lines of business. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.

Sustainability

 Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.