Battery Construction: Notes
Modern automotive batteries are made of cases (usually plastic) containing alternating plates of Lead and Lead Dioxide (or Lead Oxide) separated by insulators. These alternating plates are connected in series to produce a voltage of 12.6 volts, or about 2.1 volts for each set of Lead and Lead Dioxide plates. The negative terminal is connected to a Lead Dioxide plate and the positive terminal to a Lead plate.
The plates are covered with electrolyte which is a solution of 35% Sulfuric acid and 65% Water.
- Plastic container.
- Positive and negative internal plates made of lead.
- Plate separators made of porous synthetic material.
- Electrolyte which is a dilute solution of Sulfuric acid and water better known as Battery Acid.
- Lead terminals which are the connection point between the battery and whatever it powers.