All cells have a common system, they are made up of an anode, cathode and electrolyte to conduct electricity. In electricity, a battery consists of electrochemical cells the help convert chemical energy into electrical energy. A Lead-acid cell is one of these types of batteries.

Lead acid batteries used in the RV and Marine Industries usually consist of two 6-volt batteries in series, or a single 12-volt battery. These batteries are constructed of several single cells connected in series each cell produces approximately 2.1 volts. A six-volt battery has three single cells, which when fully charged produce an output voltage of 6.3 volts. A twelve-volt battery has six single cells in series producing a fully charged output voltage of 12.6 volts.

Button cells are a type of dry cell, but can be considered better in most cases. A silver-oxide battery is a type of button cell; it can be considered a primary cell with a very high energy/weight ratio.

Silver-oxide primary batteries account for over 20% of all primary battery sales in Japan

Chemistry Lead - Acid Battery

A battery cell consists of two lead plates a positive plate covered with a paste of lead dioxide and a negative made of sponge lead, with an insulating material (separator) in between. The plates are enclosed in a plastic battery case and then submersed in an electrolyte consisting of water and sulphuric acid. Each cell is capable of storing 2.1 volts.

In order for lead acid cell to produce a voltage, it must first receive a (forming) charge voltage of at least 2.1-volts/cell from a charger. Lead acid batteries do not generate voltage on their own; they only store a charge from another source. This is the reason lead acid batteries are called storage batteries, because they only store a charge. The size of the battery plates and amount of electrolyte determines the amount of charge lead acid batteries can store. A typical 12-volt battery used in a RV or marine craft has a rating 125 AH, which means it can supply 10 amps of current for 12.5 hours or 20-amps of current for a period of 6.25 hours. Lead acid batteries can be connected in parallel to increase the total AH capacity.

The cathode in the process is the PbSO4 as the anode is just lead (Pb) and the electrolyte H2SO4. The reaction can be expressed as:

• PbO2 + 4H+ + SO42- + 2e- → PbSO4 + 2O + 2H for the Cathode

• Pb + SO42- → PbSO4 + 2e-

This cell produces a total of 2.2 V, but the battery as whole produces a total of 12.4 volts.

Chemistry - Button cell

A silver-oxide battery uses silver oxide as the positive electrode (cathode), zinc as the negative electrode (anode) plus an alkaline electrolyte, usually sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). The silver is reduced at the cathode from Ag(I) to Ag and the zinc is oxidized from Zn to Zn(II). The chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery is the following

This cell has the potential to produce 1.3 v per cell, however these cells are usually found on groups ranging from 2 – 5, allowing a total potential of a battery reaching 2.6 – 6.5 volts

Cost and Productivity

Lead acid cells are generally very large and heavy, but this gives them a large capacity and longer life, it has a very efficient energy to weight ratio. Lead is reasonably expensive, this comes as a slight disadvantage to this type of cell, it make the whole system a lot more expensive. However, this cell does have a property that allows it to be rechargeable, so you will only have to purchase the product once and over time it will make up the price from output vs. cost. Constant surveillance of the electrolyte must be checked regularly to make sure the system can run cleanly.

Button cells, are always very small light weight cells, they are the smallest of the batteries, but also the most efficient for its energy to weight ratio. These cells have long lives, but can be a bit pricy because it contains an expensive metal such as silver, and because they are not rechargeable, you’ll have to keep buying the product over and over again.

Impact on society

The lead acid battery had a large affect on motor vehicles. Its ability to be recharged makes it suitable for vehicles. With a pair of jump cables, and another source of energy, the cell could be recharged as a storage device. Lead acid batteries are able to store solar energy when connected to solar panels. Its most important in rural regions as it allows energy storage where no power can be found.

Silver oxide button cells are used specifically for portable use; they are small and light to carry around, they are useful for miniature appliances, such as watches hearing aids and medical instruments, its non-toxic nature allows it to be used inside the human body.