Blog, 25th Anniversary

When Buying a Car Battery, Weigh the Benefits of Thin Plate Pure Lead vs. Flooded

When we think of automotive batteries, what usually comes to mind is a flooded lead acid battery, which has positive and negative plates that are separated and immersed in an electrolyte of sulfuric acid. The electrolyte typically requires periodic monitoring and the addition of water. Conventional flooded lead acid batteries also require a maintenance charge every three to six months to prevent sulfation, which is the accumulation of sulfate on the plates when the battery is used without sufficient charging.

An alternative to conventional flooded lead acid batteries is Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. AGM batteries are sealed and feature an absorbent fiberglass separator between the plates to hold the electrolyte. Sealing eliminates the need to add water or electrolyte. AGM construction holds the plates more securely than in flooded lead acid batteries, which makes them more shock and vibration resistant. Additionally, sealed AGM batteries can be mounted in any position but upside down without leaking acid.

ODYSSEY® Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) Batteries

Improvements to AGM battery technology have enhanced their performance further. Unlike most AGM batteries that use plates made from an alloy of recycled lead and another metal for greater rigidity, ODYSSEY® batteries employ Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology. ODYSSEY® TPPL batteries use plates that are made with pure lead. Plates made of pure lead can be made thinner than those used in conventional flooded or AGM batteries, which enables more of them to fit in the same battery footprint. Additional plates provide more surface area for electrochemical reactions with the electrolyte to produce greater power. ODYSSEY® batteries can provide up to triple pulse cranking power of equally sized conventional batteries.

Among the other advantages that TPPL technology in ODYSSEY® batteries offer is the capacity for 400 charge-discharge cycles to 80 percent Depth of Discharge (DOD). The use of pure lead for battery plates also prevents galvanic corrosion that can occur with plates made of lead-calcium alloy. ODYSSEY® batteries offer a service life of up to three times that of conventional flooded batteries and can recharge to 100 percent in as little as four hours.

Using an ODYSSEY® battery can provide you with long and dependable operation, superior power for starting the engine and operating onboard accessories, along with virtually maintenance-free service – with no watering required. It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking to add convenience, productivity and high-quality performance to your vehicle operations.

This year, EnerSys® marks 25 years of ODYSSEY® battery production. To follow the ODYSSEY® battery 25th Anniversary journey, 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 recent 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.