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GLOSSARY
SLI Battery
These initials stand for Starting, Lighting
and Ignition, which are the three basic
functions a battery performs on all normal
vehicles. Batteries given this description
have been specifically designed for
service on cars and trucks within a
voltage controlled electrical system. Most
maintenance-free batteries are SLI,
otherwise known as Flooded, Regular or
Standard batteries.
GEL battery
A gel battery is a lead-acid electric
storage battery that:
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is sealed, using special pressure valves
and should never be opened.
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is completely maintenance-free.*
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uses thixotropic gelled electrolyte
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uses a recombination reaction to prevent
the escape of hydrogen and oxygen gases
normally lost in a flooded lead-acid battery
(particularly in deep-cycle applications).
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is non-spillable, and therefore can be
operated in virtually any position.
However, upside-down installation is not
recommended.
*Connections must be retorqued and the
batteries should be cleaned periodically.
AGM battery
An AGM battery is an absorbed glass mat
lead-acid electric storage battery that:
•
is sealed, using special pressure valves
and should never be opened.
•
is completely maintenance-free.*
•
has all of its electrolyte absorbed in
separators consisting of a sponge-like
mass of matted glass fibers.
•
uses a recombination reaction to prevent
the escape of hydrogen and oxygen gases
normally lost in a flooded lead-acid battery
(particularly in deep-cycle applications).
•
is non-spillable, and therefore can be
operated in virtually any position.
However, upside-down installation is not
recommended.
*Connections must be retorqued and the
batteries should be cleaned periodically.
VRLA (valve regulated lead-acid)
battery
This type of battery is sealed and
maintenance-free, with a “bunce” valve
(or valves) in the top, which opens when
a preset pressure is realized inside the
battery, allowing the excess gas pressure
to escape. The valve then resets itself.
State Of Health
How much battery capacity is left (%),
compared with the marked original
battery capacity.
State Of Charge
To what percentage the battery is actually
charged.
CCA (cold cranking amps)
The current, in amperes, which a new
fully charged battery can deliver for 30
seconds, continuously, without the
terminal voltage falling below 7.2 volts
(1.2 volts per cell), after it has been
cooled to 0°F and held at that
temperature. This rating reflects the
ability of the battery to deliver engine
starting currents under winter conditions.
Ampere-hour
The unit of measurement of electrical
capacity. A current of one ampere for one
hour implies the delivery or receipt of one
ampere-hour of electricity. Current multiplied
by time in hours equals ampere-hours.