Boosted batteries for cars: when to choose them

Car batteries are devices aimed at accumulating electricity during the charging phase, and then releasing it during the discharge phase.

Without the battery it would not be possible to start a vehicle, it would not even be possible to power the entire system on board the cars, especially today which are increasingly electronic and technological.

Boosted Car Batteries: How do they work?

But how exactly do boosted car batteries work? Operation is ensured by a whole series of chemical reactions that take place inside. The batteries are made up of lead electrodes immersed in a mixture of sulfuric acid and water; when the battery is put into operation, current is created between the electrodes and the transformation of lead into lead sulphate takes place, according to a process called “sulfation”.

All this essentially serves to start the car when it is turned on, then, thanks to the alternator, the battery is automatically recharged for the entire time the vehicle is running, guaranteeing correct operation over time.

Boosted batteries for cars: the elements to consider

Choosing the right battery for your car is not that simple: so many factors must be considered! Fortunately, the instruction booklet and the labels on the old battery come in handy, indicating the most suitable type of battery.

The factors that influence the choice of a battery can be various: the vehicle’s engine, the endowment of electronic systems or the climate of the area in which one resides.

All these are elements to consider when choosing: the greater the number of instruments and electronic equipment on board, the greater the energy required to power them. Similarly, living in areas with a particularly harsh climate requires a more performing battery, capable of starting the engine even at extremely low temperatures.

Living in the city almost always means using the car in traffic, in these cases you need a battery with a greater starting capacity, equipped with thicker and more resistant lead plates.

Boosted batteries for cars: Start&Stop technology

Cars equipped with Start&Stop technology deserve separate consideration, thanks to which, at each stop, the vehicle’s engine is switched off and then switched on again immediately when you set off again. As it is easy to understand, the batteries of these vehicles are subjected to continuous switching on and off: during stops the engine switches off but the battery must continue to power all the electronic instruments, gradually discharging.

The risk is therefore that, in the long run, the car may no longer start at any moment. To prevent this from happening, you need to direct your attention towards an AGM battery equipped with greater internal resistance and capable of supporting these continuous charge-discharge cycles.

The AGM car battery also provide greater power in the starting phase, especially useful during the winter season.

The benefits of an enhanced car battery

In addition to the special batteries for cars equipped with Start&Stop, there are various “enhanced” batteries for all other vehicles. If you want to equip your car with a more performing battery, you need to consider three main parameters:

Going to see the indications given on a battery, you will be able to read precisely this type of parameters which generally express the power of a battery, according to the following wording: 12V 70AH 650A.

If you want an enhanced battery, go for models with A and AH values slightly higher than those of the supplied battery. If too powerful, there is the risk of burning the alternator or, in any case, being unable to fully charge the battery, reducing its life.

Optima Battery, one of the many online auto parts products sold by Renogy, is perhaps one of the most eloquent examples of an enhanced battery. Originally designed solely for military use, it is now also available for any other vehicle, useful for having all the power needed in any condition. The range of high-rush AGM batteries is excellent for offering vehicles all the energy needed to start quickly and in particularly problematic conditions.

Difference between gel battery and agm battery

Some times it can be confused between gel batteries and AGM batteries because both are sealed and maintenance free. It is not uncommon for gel batteries to be requested but they are only in AGM.

In the automotive sector (the one that includes cars and motorcycles) very often the batteries are in AGM, there are only a few cases in which a gel battery is mounted, we can find it in specific models such as in some BMW motorcycles.

On the other hand, it may be easier to find Gel batteries in the electric traction sector, solar applications or the industrial sector. Speaking of this type we have to mention the Sonnenschein brand which accumulators will have a charger with a charge curve made especially for them.

Now let’s talk about the fundamental difference between GEL and AGM batteries.

GEL batteries

GEL batteries are considered state-of-the-art solutions. The electrolyte is not as liquid as in traditional lead-acid batteries. Still, it is gelatinised, it no longer has refill caps but on the contrary it is completely sealed, thus limiting the leakage of gases and liquids thanks to special pressure valves which cause internal chemical recombination reactions (VRLA).

AGM batteries

AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries feature expanded lead-calcium plates separated by glass microfiber cloths soaked in solidified electrolyte solution and compressed to ensure high conductivity. The plates maintain the same grid configuration, but may be coiled or flat, suspended vertically as in soak electrode or gel cells. Compared to a higher cost, they have the advantage of ensuring higher current flows, which are very important in cold starts and have a longer life for the immersed cells (number of cycles), a very important feature in those applications where high and frequent charging currents are required and discharge, such as in “Stop Start” vehicles and those with regenerative braking.

However, if your budget is sufficient, it is best to choose a lithium battery with more deep cycles. You can also buy extra lithium batteries and use a dedicated RV inverters to enjoy energy resources and start your outdoor trip.