Batteries are classified by types of metal used such as lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel iron.

Today, the most commonly used battery type is lead-acid battery. And these batteries are basically classified into two types, i.e. dry and flooded batteries.

The most widely used types of flooded batteries are conventional automobile batteries called starter or SLI (express as initial letters of Starting-Lighting-Ignition functions). The automobile batteries are classified into two groups; i.e. sealed batteries or batteries with removable plugs. Interior structure of both types is same. That is, they are conventional lead-acid batteries. The difference of sealed batteries is that their plugs cannot be opened. It is appropriate to install them on vehicles that have good voltage mechanism because water cannot be added to these batteries.

In addition, the stationary (fixed type) and traction (forklift) batteries are flooded batteries, although their interior structure and usage area are different.

Interior structures and technologies of the VRLA batteries (dry battery) are different. VRLA means Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Battery. These batteries are also subdivided into two types by their interior structures.

AGM (absorbed glass mat) and Gel VRLA batteries. Basic characteristic of these batteries is that there is no acid spillage or leakage. Gas output is minimum. As it is, they are very safe with much longer shelf life. Furthermore, they are more resistant to vibration compared to the flooded batteries. Their usage area are the stationary plants, UPSS, boats and power plants.

Battery is equipment which stores electrical power in the form of chemical energy and gives it back in case of need.

Task of the battery gives electric current to the starter motor for the first time to work, to send current to the receivers when the vehicle engine is not working. The other task of battery provides balance between voltage and amperage in the electric system when the engine operates and thus to prevent the receivers from damage as a result of high voltage that the alternator may generate at high speeds. In such cases, the battery takes over some of the current generated by the alternator and prevents overvoltage. 12-V battery used for the gasoline engines is consisted of six 2-V cells connected to each other in series. In general, each component has positive- and negative-charged plates connected to each other in parallel. Positive plates contain lead dioxide as active material and negative plates contain pure lead as active material. Separators are placed between the plates to prevent short circuit. The separators are made of materials with very little pores to promote chemical reaction. Electrolyte consisting of sulfuric acid and pure water is poured into the battery. The components are connected to each other by lead bridges in series.

• Make sure that the battery you use for connection of one battery to another is of same amperage.
• Switch off the engine and all electrical components.
• First, the red cable end is connected to the (+) terminal of the the discharged battery; then the other end is connected to the terminal of the charged battery.
• And then the black cable end is connected to the terminal (-) of the charged battery and the other end of cable is connected to any metal part of the vehicle having the discharged battery.
• Make sure the cables do not contact with any moving or hot things such as exhaust and impeller.
• And start the vehicle with the charged battery first, and then start the vehicle with the discharged battery.
• After the cars start, you may remove the jumper cables, starting with the vehicle with the discharged battery.

UPS stands for uninterrupted power supply.

UPS battery is a battery of an uninterrupted power supply. The UPS batteries are activated in case of electricity failure and operate as back-up power until electricity resumes. These batteries are of VRLA-type batteries, i.e. dry batteries we mentioned above and have minimum gas output.

Yes, the battery can get frozen.

Freezing degree of a fully charged battery is in the range of -50°C and -70°C. In other words, under normal conditions, a properly charged battery does not get frozen. However, the discharged batteries may even get frozen in the range of 0°C and -10°C depending on to which extent they have discharged. Make sure that the batteries are properly charged particularly on cold days.

Effects of the weather conditions on the battery:

1. In terms of storage:

Store the battery indoor. If you store it outdoors, dust and precipitation will increase discharge. So the battery should be stored in a dry and cool place. Discharge rate of the batteries increases or decreases according to the temperature. In general, in case of each increase of 10 degrees would double the discharge. For these reasons, storage in the temperature range of 10-16 centigrade degrees would be much better than storage in the range of 25-30 centigrade degrees.

2. When battery is on the vehicle:

On hot days, the starting power of the battery increases and, consequently, corrosion on the battery also increases. For this reason, the batteries operating in the hot climate have a less shelf life. On cold days, the starting power of the batteries goes down. Additionally, the starting value of the vehicle engine also increases. As a result, the starting power of the batteries becomes important under cold conditions. On very cold days, the liquid (electrolyte) in battery has risk of getting frozen. While a fully charged battery gets frozen only at -70 centigrade degrees, a discharged battery may get frozen even at -5 centigrade degrees depending on to which extent it has discharged. For this reason, it is very important to keep the battery fully charged on cold days.

Possible reasons of discharge for MUTLU AKÜ you bought:

• Adverse environmental and storage conditions, high temperature, humidity, etc.
• Leak currents on the car (currents drawn more than the anticipated short circuits), open lights
• Short circuits on other electric equipment and components
• Mismatch of the vehicle and battery; selection of small battery; additional on-board vehicle components (audio, light, computer systems, cooling systems)
• Insufficient charge generated by the alternator (charging generator)

Batteries are consisted of lead, sulfuric acid solution and polypropylene box. For this reason, when batteries become unusable, they are risky and hazardous waste for the environment. However, an effective recycling system makes it possible to recover the polypropylene box and lead components of the batteries. Although it is also possible to recover sulfuric acid, it is mostly preferred to neutralize it.

Selection and Installation of Battery

Select the battery you desire properly according to the vehicle from the lists given in our catalogue indicating characteristics of the batteries. Sizes, cold cranking current and capacity values are important selection criteria. Activate the dry charged batteries according to the method given above and, if required, charge them.

In case of flooded batteries stored, when the average daily temperature is less than 4°C, if the open circuit voltage is 12.50 V and less, then recharge it according to the method given above.

If the ambient temperature is high and the open circuit voltage is 12.40 or less, recharge it according to the method given above.

Mark the cables as +/- before you remove the old battery in order to connect the new battery correctly.

Measure the voltage value and direction of the battery to make sure it is correct; check the cable connections and battery stand carefully and clean them. Place the new battery and make the connections and tighten. 

Firstly, connect the positive (+) cable. Secondly, connect the negative (-) earthed cable. Tighten carefully. As overtightening may damage the posts, be careful especially when you tighten the battery posts from sideways.

Cover the posts and cable ends by an anti-corrosive agent.