Exide Batteries: specialization in power supply

Thomas Edison, the famous American inventor, developed the first batteries for large-scale production around 1900. He was also the founding father of Exide Technologies, the company that, after more than 120 years of product development, still satisfies the hunger of humanity addicted to electricity. This includes many camper and caravan owners, for whom long autonomy is often very important. Of all manufacturers, Exide has the most experience in producing the perfect battery for use at the campsite or on the road.

Different types of

You determine the right battery not only based on the desired power, but also with the actual use in mind. Starting an engine is different from running a refrigerator. Broadly speaking, there are three battery types.

Starter batteries

When an engine is started electrically, it requires a short-lived but large amount of power from the battery. As soon as the engine is running, the alternator charges and the battery no longer has much to do. Exide offers two options here. A conventional lead/acid battery or an AGM with flat plates or spiral cells.
The former is a budget-friendly solution but will not work equally well everywhere. A lead/acid battery degasses through the caps during charging and will occasionally need to be refilled with demineralized water. A special container is also required for safe installation.
This does not apply to an AGM battery. AGM stands for absorbed glass mat. A glass fiber membrane between the plates acts as a sponge and thus keeps the electrolyte in place in addition to preventing gas formation. These batteries are completely acid-tight and can therefore be used without objection in a camper or caravan. There are no installation restrictions, so they can also be placed somewhere in the interior. A special battery box is not necessary. In addition, an AGM battery shows much better resistance to vibrations and can be inactive for a longer period of time without losing its lifespan. An advantage for a camper or caravan that is not used all year round.
Exide's Orbital technology adds compact dimensions and light weight. By not using flat lead plates but a winding of a thin lead grid, a lot of space is saved and the battery can absorb a charge more quickly. The biggest advantage of this technology, however, is an extremely high cold starting capacity and vibration resistance.

Equipment batteries

Exide supplies Equipment batteries for all equipment in a camper or caravan that requires a constant power supply. No battery likes complete discharge, but this type is better able to withstand it. Designed not so much to deliver a short power peak, but to keep a refrigerator, lighting or laptop functioning smoothly for as long as possible. Here you have a choice between traditional lead/acid technology or a more compact gel battery. In these batteries, the acid is converted into a gel, so that any leakage is avoided. Compared to a lead/acid battery, a gel battery has a lower cold starting current, so this type is less suitable as a starter battery for very heavy engines. The charging time is also longer. The gel plays a delaying role in this. However, on the other hand, the battery can be discharged for longer, supplies more energy and self-discharge is also much slower.

It is important to determine the correct size of a battery bank. What is there, how much does it consume and how long is it on. The total of this energy balance yields an amount of watts per hour (Wh) that, multiplied by a safety margin, indicates the required power.

Dual

A smaller camper may need a single battery to start the engine and turn on a light. A Dual battery from Exide is then eligible. This is at home in both markets and available as a lead/acid battery, AGM with flat plates or in a weight- and space-saving version with spiral cells.
When electricity is used in a larger camper or caravan with several people, a lot of power is often required, usually for a short period of time, but sometimes for a longer period of time. Given the high current consumption, your own battery is desirable. To avoid a long power cable, it is also preferable to be near the relevant consumers. A compact battery, such as the Dual AGM, which takes up less space in the interior, is a solution. The faster charging time of an AGM battery is also an advantage here.

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The lifespan of a battery is shortened if it is not fully charged often enough. Solar panels or the dynamo don't work for too long to accomplish this properly, especially with a gel battery. It is important to fully charge a battery once a month with a good charger tailored to the battery type. Exide chargers are adapted for use in campers or caravans and have a circuit that charges the battery correctly without affecting power or lifespan.

Sustainability

Exide Technologies has grown into one of the world's largest battery manufacturers with offices in more than 80 countries. Exide is also a leading supplier in the automotive sector and its products are often used ex works. Exide pays attention to the environment. In a number of state-of-the-art factories, old batteries are recycled into usable material from which new batteries are made.

For more information:
info@exide.nl
www.exide.com