Click for abarth Parts
Click for ac Parts
Click for acura Parts
Click for aixam Parts
Click for alfa romeo Parts
Click for aston martin Parts
Click for audi Parts
Click for autobianchi Parts
Click for bentley Parts
Click for bmw Parts
Click for chevrolet Parts
Click for chrysler Parts
Click for citroen Parts
Click for dacia Parts
Click for daewoo Parts
Click for daihatsu Parts
Click for ferrari Parts
Click for fiat Parts
Click for ford Parts
Click for honda Parts
Click for hummer Parts
Click for hyundai Parts
Click for infiniti Parts
Click for isuzu Parts
Click for iveco Parts
Click for jaguar Parts
Click for jeep Parts
Click for kia Parts
Click for lamborghini Parts
Click for land rover Parts
Click for lexus Parts
Click for lotus Parts
Click for maserati Parts
Click for mazda Parts
Click for mclaren Parts
Click for mercedes benz Parts
Click for mercedez Parts
Click for mg Parts
Click for mini Parts
Click for mitsubishi Parts
Click for nissan Parts
Click for opel Parts
Click for peugeot Parts
Click for porsche Parts
Click for renault Parts
Click for rolls-royce Parts
Click for saab Parts
Click for seat Parts
Click for skoda Parts
Click for smart Parts
Click for subaru Parts
Click for suzuki Parts
Click for talbot Parts
Click for tesla Parts
Click for toyota Parts
Click for vauxhall Parts
Click for volkswagen Parts
Click for volvo Parts
Click for vw Parts
here are the main differences between old and modern car batteries
Most drivers take car batteries for granted and don't think of them as important car components. However, car batteries are irreplaceable parts of every vehicle and crucial components in proper functioning of your car. Without electric power, you wouldn't be able to start or driver your car, not to mention listening to the music, turning on the headlights, using the A/C and so much more. Basically, cars run on petrol or diesel and electricity. That is why we will tell you more about the history of the car battery itself and the difference in technology between old and new car batteries.
Contrary to popular belief, first cars didn't have car batteries in form we have today and their electric systems were extremely limited. In the 1920s, first electric starters became standard features in new models and first car batteries as we know them started to appear. However, they were not very powerful or durable and needed regular maintenance. In the last 100 years or so, car batteries endured many changes and evolved from unreliable, big, expensive and heavy items to advanced and dependable components which rarely fail. So, let's see major differences between old and new and just how far the technology has advanced in this field.
1. From 6 Volts to 24 Volt systems
One of the main differences were electric systems, and all the way to the late '50s and early '60s, all cars used 6 Volts which was far more primitive than today's 24 Volt systems. The reason was simple, older cars have less electronic devices and in those days, a battery was used only for starting of the vehicle and for headlights, nothing more.
However, as cars became more complicated and radios were installed along with interior lights and other features, there was a need for a more powerful system and in the mid-60s, all manufacturers turned to 12 Volt systems which are still in use. Of course, this change affected the car battery technology and construction.
2. Maintenance
The basic car battery construction hasn't changed but the materials and maintenance procedures have. The old ones required regular maintenance in form of electrolyte refills & distillated water or battery acid. Every once in a while you had to open your car battery and pour liquid in it. However, today's maintenance-free batteries are sealed and don't require anything to function properly.
3. Materials
For long, the main ingredients of car batteries were metal (lead) plates along with battery acid and that is the main reason why car batteries are pretty heavy considering they are quite small in size. Most modern cars use the same type but the future is in lithium-ion car batteries which are much smaller and lighter and still capable of producing the same amount of electric energy. For those who don't know, lithium-ion battery is the same type as the one used in smartphones and portable devices and is light, powerful and durable but also pretty expensive for use in vehicles.