Factors affecting the car battery price

Consumers may find that the prices in car battery shopping vary greatly when they browse the market. Although the brand and warranty are also factors, the basic cost is determined by what materials are used and what processes are applied in manufacturing. The cost is a direct implication of quality and quantity of core components. The knowledge of these factors can assist you in approaching the decision making process more seriously.

Number of Lead Plates

The internal structure of any lead-acid battery is the main part that consists of lead plates.

Plate Count and Power Output

Primary determinant of price of a battery is the number of plates of lead within the battery. The more the plates used, the bigger the surface area on which the chemical reaction can take place, and this directly equates to an increase in Cranking Amps (CA) and an increase in Reserve Capacity (RC). This implies higher initial power, and prolonged energy to electrical systems of a vehicle. Producing a battery with an increased number of plates will need additional raw materials and a more complicated assembly procedure, making it more expensive.

Acid Concentration and Quality

The most important medium that carries out the energy-producing reaction is the electrolyte solution which is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.

The Role of Electrolyte Purity

Much more important is the concentration of the sulfuric acid and, more importantly, its purity that influences the performance and the life of the battery considerably. The high-purity acid is used to guarantee a more effective chemical reaction with fewer impurities that may produce sulfation on the plates, one of the main reasons of battery failure. Batteries made with high grade of electrolyte are subject to tighter quality control and made with purer materials thus contributing to the cost of production.

Alloy Quality

These plates are not pure lead but are an alloy of lead and other metals.

Enhancing Performance and Durability

The characteristics of a battery highly depend on the particular alloy being put in the plates. Conventional batteries employ lead-antimony alloys and new ones tend to employ lead-calcium. Calcium alloys minimize water leakage, reducing upkeep at the cost of increased accuracy of production. Other high-end batteries contain silver in the alloy. Silver increases the structure of the plate, the corrosion resistance and the life cycle of the battery. One of the key contributors to the end price is the use of these superior alloys which are expensive.

Process Flow

The way a battery is constructed is equally important as the material used to construct a battery.

Manufacturing Precision

The process flow of manufacturing is all about plate cast and paste all the way up to curing, assembly and formation charging. With highly automated and precision controlled processes, there are consistency, reliability and increased performance outputs. The cost of production is augmented by investing in the state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and strict quality testing at all levels. A lower cost battery is usually a sign of compromise in this process resulting in low reliability in performance and a decreased life cycle.

Shell Material

The outer casing that surrounds the battery is the first barrier against the tough environment that is an engine bay.

Durability and Safety

The material of the battery case and lid is essential both in the case of safety and durability. The common material that is recognized to have a good impact resistance, acid resistance, and the capability to resist extreme temperatures is high-quality polypropylene (PP). Less expensive batteries can employ plastics of lower quality or another polymer such as ABS that can be easily cracked, warped or leaking with time. Better shell materials provide an additional benefit of superior structural integrity to the price point.

To sum up, car battery cost does not just happen. It is a direct consequence of engineering decisions connected with its main elements the number of lead plates, its alloy, the quality of the acid, the refinements of the manufacturing process and the permanence of the shell. More expensive initial cost of better reliability in the areas of battery construction, is frequently found by investing in a battery constructed with better elements and longer service life.