Intro Video

Welcome to the

Glossary

  • Active Material
  • Electrode material that produces electricity during chemical conversion. In positive plates, it’s lead dioxide; in negative plates, it’s sponge lead.
  • AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
  • A separator system used in all Lifeline® AGM batteries, enhancing performance and durability.
  • Ampere (A)
  • Unit of electrical current. Calculated as Amps = Watts/Volts (A = W/V).
  • Ampere Hour (Ah)
  • Battery capacity measure. One ampere hour = one ampere of current flow for one hour.
  • Battery Isolator
  • A device that allows multiple batteries to be charged from a single power source while preventing current flow between the batteries.
  • Battery Separator
  • A device that separates batteries to prevent discharge from one to another, commonly used in dual battery systems.
  • Boost Charge
  • A short-duration charge applied to a nearly full battery.
  • Capacity
  • The electricity a battery can deliver under specific conditions, usually in ampere hours.
  • Charge
  • The process of converting electrical energy into stored chemical energy within a battery.
  • Charge Rate
  • The rate at which current is applied to restore battery capacity.
  • Charging Efficiency
  • Ratio of discharged ampere hours to the ampere hours needed to recharge fully.
  • Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
  • A measurement of a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. Higher CCA ratings indicate better performance in cold weather.
  • Conditioning
  • A process to restore battery capacity after extended storage or deep discharge.
  • Cycle
  • One complete sequence of discharge and charge.
  • Cycle Life
  • Total number of charge/discharge cycles before a battery reaches the end of life (typically 80% of rated capacity).
  • Depth of Discharge
  • Percentage of the battery’s capacity used during a discharge.
  • Discharge
  • The process of converting the chemical energy of a battery into electrical energy.
  • End of Life
  • Stage at which a battery can no longer deliver acceptable capacity (typically 80% of nameplate rating).
  • Equalization Charge
  • A controlled overcharge performed on flooded lead-acid batteries to balance the charge across all cells. Note: Not typically recommended for AGM batteries unless specified by the manufacturer.
  • Float Charge
  • Maintaining a charged battery with continuous, long-term, constant voltage charging.
  • Gassing
  • Gas evolution from electrode plates during charging, commonly due to electrolysis of water in the electrolyte.
  • Internal Resistance
  • Opposition to the flow of electric current within a battery, affecting voltage and performance.
  • Maintenance-Free Battery
  • A battery that does not require regular addition of water to the cells, typical of AGM and gel batteries.
  • Marine Cranking Amps (MCA)
  • A measurement similar to CCA but specified for marine environments, reflecting the battery’s performance in starting marine engines.
  • Military-Specification (MIL-SPEC)
  • A standard that indicates a product meets rigorous military standards for performance and durability.
  • Non-Spillable
  • A designation indicating that a battery is sealed and will not leak electrolyte, typical of AGM and gel batteries.
  • Open Circuit Voltage
  • Battery voltage when not delivering or receiving power and at rest for at least 4 hours.
  • Overcharge
  • Forcing current through a fully charged battery, leading to water decomposition and heat generation.
  • Pressure Relief Valve (PRV)
  • A safety feature in AGM batteries that prevents excessive internal pressure buildup by venting gases safely.
  • Recombination
  • A process in AGM batteries where evolved gases are recombined to form water, minimizing water loss and maintenance.
  • Reserve Capacity (RC)
  • The number of minutes a fully charged battery can sustain a constant load of 25 amps before its voltage drops to 10.5 volts.
  • Self Discharge
  • Decrease in state of charge over time due to internal chemical reactions.
  • Shelf Life
  • Time from manufacture after which a battery needs a boost charge to avoid permanent capacity loss.
  • Short Circuit
  • An abnormal connection of low resistance between two points of different potential, leading to excess current flow.
  • Specific Gravity
  • Measurement of the density of the electrolyte in a battery compared to water, indicating the state of charge in flooded batteries.
  • State of Charge (SOC)
  • The current available ampere hours in a battery relative to its full charge capacity.
  • State of Health (SOH)
  • The available ampere hours in a fully charged battery relative to its rated capacity.
  • Sulfation
  • Formation of hard lead sulfate crystals on plates, reducing capacity and performance.
  • Temperature, Ambient
  • Average temperature of the battery’s surroundings.
  • Temperature, Cell
  • Average temperature of the battery’s internal components.
  • Trickle Charging
  • Continuous or intermittent charging to maintain a fully charged state; not recommended for Lifeline® AGM batteries.
  • Venting
  • Controlled or accidental release of gas from a battery cell.
  • Voltage, Open Circuit
  • Voltage of a battery at rest and not connected to any load.

Resources

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