Gaston Planté invented the first Lead-acid battery in 1859, making it the oldest type of rechargable battery. Nearly 3 million tons of lead were used in the manufacture of batteries in 1992. Most of the world’s lead–acid batteries are automobile starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries. An estimated 320 million units shipped in 1999. Sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries have a low energy-to-volume ratio as well as a low energy-to-mass ratio. They are able to supply high surge currents, which means that the cells maintain a relatively large power-to-weight ratio. These features, as well as the fact that they are inexpensive, makes them an excellent choice for use in motor vehicles. Sealed lead acid batteries store energy in a chemical form that can be released on demand as electricity. Each sealed lead acid battery cell consists of positive plates, negative plates and an electrolyte solution. The chemical reaction between these elements is what produces the electricity within the battery.

There are several things you can do to preserve the life of you SLA battery. Every few months, you should check the battery posts, cables and try for corrosion or dirt. Make sure to keep these key areas clean to ensure a proper connection. Also, be sure that the hold down brackets are tight, and that the battery is not getting any unneccessary vibration. The “maintenance-free” sealed battery can last longer than their 12 volt counterparts. There is also no “topping off” with distilled water because the electrolyte level does not change because they do not produce much gas. This also makes them a safer choice as well.