Over 70 years of experience in battery charging technology

From numerous variants of the lead battery to AGM and EFB technology and on to lithium-ion batteries, there are now countless possibilities for supplying vehicles with energy. As an expert in all aspects of starter batteries, Fronius provides you with a comprehensive overview of all the usual types of battery and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the different technologies.

Battery technologies

Fronius has over 70 years of experience in battery technology

Starter batteries or SLI batteries (starting, lighting, ignition) are used to start combustion engines. They supply a large amount of energy for short periods and can carry out several thousand starts. Starter batteries are not designed to supply consumers with energy for long periods. These batteries are also sensitive to deep discharges, which can cause permanent damage to the battery. The cycle stability gives an insight into the long service life of a starter battery.

A variety of different battery technologies are currently available on the market. All of them function according to the same principle: two oppositely charged electrodes, the positive and negative pole, connected by an additional electrolyte layer. The electrolyte can be in liquid or gel form, or it can be bound in a layer of fibres. If the circuit is closed, electrons flow from the negative pole to the positive pole, releasing electrical energy. During charging, the electrical voltage reverses this process, and the capacity of the battery is restored.

Lead battery

The conventional lead-acid battery is the classic starter battery. Industrial production of rechargeable lead batteries dates back to 1880. This type of battery consists of a metallic lead electrode and a lead(IV) oxide electrode with separators in between. The electrodes are immersed in sulphuric acid (H2SO4) with a concentration of 20-40%. Advantages of the classic lead battery include a high voltage and load capacity at a low price. In addition, the batteries are almost 100% reusable and relatively low-maintenance. Disadvantages include a heavy weight, sensitivity to high temperatures, a long charging time and susceptibility to sulphation from deep discharges. The average service life is approximately four years.

Calcium (Ca+/Ca-)

This type of battery is now installed in most new cars. Benefits of the calcium battery include low water consumption, a low self-discharge rate and high safety levels. Calcium batteries can also withstand high temperatures, making them highly suitable for use in engine compartments. However, this type of battery does exhibit weaknesses in terms of cycle stability.

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery

This variant of the lead battery is the preferred choice for vehicles with an automatic start-stop function. The battery features micro-fibreglass mats (Absorbent Glass Mat, AGM) between the lead plates, which absorb the battery acid. The advantage of this system is the low effective inner resistance, which encourages a fast battery response and allows large amounts of energy to be delivered within a short period. These powerful Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are also able to tolerate roughly four times the number of charging cycles that conventional lead-acid batteries can. The disadvantage is the high production cost, which makes the batteries expensive to purchase.

Spiral battery

This special variant of the Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery is designed for extreme loads. As with all AGM batteries, this battery does not feature a liquid electrolyte and is therefore 100% leak-proof. The spiral technology provides up to ten times the vibration resistance of conventional batteries, high cycle stability and excellent cold-start performance. Spiral batteries can have a service life of up to 15 years.

EFB

The Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) is a cost-effective alternative for vehicles with straightforward start-stop technology. This battery variant features a polyester scrim – a coating on the positive electrode plate that holds the active material (lead oxide in this case) in place and facilitates rapid, low-resistance charging and discharging. This practically doubles the cycle stability and service life of the battery.

Lithium-ion battery

Strictly-speaking this is not a starter battery, but rather a traction battery for vehicles with an electric motor. Advantages include a compact design, quick and easy opportunity charging, absence of the memory effect, increased performance and a more flexible application range. In addition, lithium-ion batteries consume up to 30 percent less energy than lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion energy systems are completely maintenance-free and have zero emissions. However, there are disadvantages: lithium-ion batteries are extremely flammable and difficult to dispose of.

It was the invention of a battery charging system that led to the foundation of Fronius in 1945

Find out more about the history of the company here

Fronius Acctiva: the perfect battery charging system for your starter battery every time

In addition to a range of different capacities, nowadays car manufacturers, dealers, workshops and drivers can also choose from a variety of battery technologies. The most appropriate battery charging technology must also be considered. Fronius Acctiva battery charging systems are suitable for all types of starter battery, thus providing a cost-effective, efficient and flexible solution for every application in the workshop or showroom.

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