What is a dry cell battery

What a dry battery looks like and how it works

Motorists should know that it is necessary to change the battery in the vehicle in a timely manner. Its service life is limited depending on the quality, type of products, operational factors. Some drivers prefer to have dry-charged batteries in the garage. Thanks to this stock, it is possible to carry out timely replacement of worn-out electrical appliances.

What is a dry battery

A specific type of battery assumes certain design features of the product. After production, the dry-charged model is not filled with electrolyte. The lead plates of the battery are charged, but no electrolytic fluid is poured into the cavity, which is then hermetically sealed. This means that after purchasing such a battery, the car owner himself must fill the cans with a prepared mixture of distilled water and acid. It is not clear to all car enthusiasts why dry-charged batteries are produced. However, the solution to this mystery lies in the long shelf life of such products. Owners are able to keep such capacities in storage for many years. Some models are able to wait in a non-operational state up to 20-30 years.

Note: Due to the low rate of chemical reactions it is possible to significantly minimize the self-discharge of automobile power sources, which contributes to a long period of battery storage.

Now you can buy dry batteries at online stores at a price of 1500 rubles. In addition to them you will need to buy enough electrolyte to fill the jars. If you do not intend to use the product in the near future, you should not break the sealing of caps, so that moisture and air can not penetrate inside.

How Dry-Recharge Batteries Work

Even with long-term storage, chemical reactions are still going on inside the battery. Removing the case from direct sunlight will help reduce the influence of external factors. Products should be placed vertically. Specialists do not recommend keeping such battery packs in storage for the maximum time, since after a couple of decades the lead plates may self-destruct. Immediately after the purchase of the battery with dry charging do not install in the car. It will be necessary to carry out preliminary operations, during which the inventory is used:

• areometer;
• voltmeter;
• Capacity with electrolyte;
• charger.

The motorist must be protected from the aggressive effects of dilute acid. For this purpose a set is used:

• special gloves (not household gloves);
• protective clothing (apron, gown, or armbands);
• special goggles.

Instead of ready-made electrolyte, you can make it yourself. You must ensure the density of the ready-made mixture within 1.27-1.28 g/cm3. At the same time it is unacceptable to pour water into the acid, as there will be splashing of the composition and possible burns. The operator must pour the acid into the water.

How to put a dry battery into service correctly

You can use the battery after pouring the cans. The process is carried out in this sequence:

• Leakage. Most models require removal of gaskets under plugs or side plugs. There are also designs with flanges on the plugs to eliminate. In some instances, the manufacturers recommend making holes in the caps to remove the formed vapors.
• Filling. In the formed cavities we pour the required volume of prepared electrolyte. Usually the level of required liquid is limited by special marks. If these are not available, then pour the volume, the height of which exceeds the plates by a couple of centimeters.
• Waiting. We leave the system for 2-3 hours without movement. During this period the necessary chemical reactions between the liquid and the lead will take place. In some cases, a slight decrease in the electrolyte level is acceptable, so it will be necessary to add it to the original volume.
• Check the density. Use a areometer to check the density of the fluid being poured into a dry-charged battery. Readings below 1.27 g/ml are not allowed. If a lower reading is found, it may be necessary to recharge the power supply.
• Voltmeter Check. Using a voltmeter, make sure the battery is capable of operating at 12.7 volts.

Typically, the amount of electrolyte determines the capacity of the battery. For values of 55, 60, 75, 90 and 100 Ah, 2.5 L., 3 L., 4 L., 4.8 L., 10 L. will be required, respectively. At a density of 1.27g/cm3, the freezing point is -600C, and dropping to 1.12g/cm3, the temperature will be only -110C.

The need for charging

Experts on the question whether it is possible to charge a dry-charged battery, answer positively. This is due to the fact that after filling the jars with electrolyte, such a battery must be treated in the same way as a conventional battery. Restoration of the charge may be required when the filled battery has been in use for some time. The shelf life after filling often does not exceed 7 years if the operating conditions are followed. An important feature is that it is forbidden to start charging a dry battery. It is necessary to fill with liquid beforehand. The charging process is the same as with maintenance free batteries. Before connecting the contacts, determine the battery poles. Then connect the charger to the mains. The optimum charging current is 10% of the battery capacity. The charging process lasts about five hours. It is correct to wait until the voltmeter reads 12.5 V and then turn off the charger. However, do not bring the electrolyte to a boil. This can happen when the dry-charged battery takes a full charge.

Advantages and disadvantages

Dry-charged batteries are in demand among owners of special vehicles and bikers. In most cases, such batteries are purchased in the summer, so that at any time to have at hand a ready-to-use power cell. The main positive feature of dry loaded batteries is their multi-year durability with almost no loss of characteristics. Thanks to this you can buy a large number of them in stock. They do not require any special care or maintenance during storage, such as recharging, refilling, etc.

Such containers are easy to transport because nothing will overflow. The cost of buying electrolyte is minimal and usually does not exceed 300 rubles for a standard volume of cans. A certain disadvantage is the need for preparatory work before use. The filled dry loaded battery must wait a few hours before installation. Also it is required to monitor the degree of charge and the density of the electrolyte periodically during operation. However, this care can extend the life of the battery. When buying, it is necessary to consider the specified capacity of the product. It must comply with the technical recommendations for a particular vehicle.

Conclusion

Motorists should correctly choose a dry-charged battery in terms of capacity and a sufficient amount of electrolyte to it. When pouring, it is important to follow safety precautions as with acid. During operation, monitor the degree of charge (multimeter) and the density of the electrolyte (areometer).

Dry-charge battery – what it is and how to use it

It is known that nothing lasts forever, and one of the main elements of the car – battery, sometime comes the time to go to rest. Choosing a new power source, car owners may see a dry-charged battery. What is it? Which way to approach it and how to use it? How do you charge a dry-charged battery? These and other questions will be answered in our article.

Dry-charged battery: what they are, why they are produced and how much they cost

This type of battery got its name due to the absence of electrolyte in the cans at the time of completion of production. The production of dry-charged batteries assumes that the lead plates are charged, and the product itself is sealed in factory conditions. The price of such a power source – from 1500 rubles.

What to pour into a dry battery? Since the dry-charged battery is a conventional lead-acid battery, it should be filled with electrolyte. The latter can be purchased as ready-made in the store, or you can prepare your own from acid and distilled water.

Dry-charged batteries are produced in order to give the owner the opportunity of long-term storage of the battery before its first use, for example, in warehousing. Due to the low rate of chemical processes, electrolyte-free batteries are virtually self-discharge proof. This makes it possible to store them for an incredibly long time.

Storage and shelf life of a dry cell battery

The popularity of this type of power sources is due to the fact that there is no electrolyte in the cans, which means there is no chemical reaction. Lead plates are sealed, they are not affected by moisture and air. Therefore, the shelf life of a factory-dried automotive power source can be up to 40 years. Despite the long shelf life, the shelf life of a dry-charged battery is about 7 years. The fact is that the chemical process in dry batteries, although significantly slowed down, but still proceeds. Therefore, after long-term storage (30-40 years), it is possible that the plates will be out of order.

The battery should be stored in an upright position without direct sunlight. Care should also be taken to ensure that the battery plugs are closed.

Dry-charge battery: commissioning

Dry-charge batteries cannot be installed on a vehicle immediately after purchase. This factor often forces car owners to opt for conventional batteries. However, starting to use a dry-charged battery is not as problematic as it seems. Before performing the work it is necessary to prepare all the tools: electrolyte, areometer, voltmeter and charger.

What to pour into a dry battery

Before installing a dry battery, it is necessary to pour an electrolyte with a density of 1.27-1.28 g/cm3 into it. You can buy a ready-made solution or mix it yourself.

Attention! If you decide to dilute the electrolyte yourself, use personal protective equipment – gloves, mask. Sulfuric acid, which must be diluted with water, is a strong chemical substance. Protection is needed to avoid the harmful effects of vapors and to prevent acid burns.

How to recharge a dry cell battery

It is recommended that this battery be topped up at room temperature and following a strict sequence:

1. Unseal the battery. Depending on the design, special gaskets under the plugs, side covers on the lid of the battery, or the flanges on the plugs must be removed. Note: on some power supplies it is recommended that the caps be pre-cut to allow the vapors to escape.
2. Pour electrolyte into a dry charged battery to the desired level. If there are markings, refer to them. If there are not, determine the level yourself – the solution should cover the plates by 2 centimeters.
3. Leave the car battery for some time (2-3 hours). This time is necessary for chemical reaction between lead plates and electrolyte to begin. Warning! The level of acid solution may slightly decrease. In such a case it must be topped up.
4. Measure the density of the electrolyte with an areometer. Readings should not be less than 1.27 g/cc. A lower acid concentration will require the battery to be recharged to this value.
5. Check the voltage with a voltmeter. Full battery charge will be at 12.7 volts.

Table 1. Electrolyte density and battery voltage readings as a function of battery state of charge.

The following are approximate electrolyte volumes for different battery capacities.