The improved EFB batteries are designed for all types of ground vehicles. The products are adapted for difficult working conditions and are resistant to low charge. Branded EFB batteries in Moscow are manufactured using a new technology, which provides for the use of high density liquid electrolytes.
General EFB Features for Auto
New high-tech batteries for a car are designed taking into account domestic operating conditions, where modes with sharp temperature changes prevail. Due to the use of a new type of electrolyte, products are considered more adapted and resistant to aggressive environments. High starting current is perfect for modern cars with Start Stop ICE control system. Due to the stability of the voltage, the wiring is virtually free from accidental drawdowns.
The advantages of new auto batteries:
- Universal polarity when connected.
- Long service life with active use.
- Large charging capacity.
- Stability of work on any technique.
- Affordable product cost.
The average price for car batteries of this technology is much lower than for conventional acid batteries. In addition to the listed advantages, a feature is considered the possibility of universal use on any car and other equipment.
Where to buy a car battery profitably?
You can quickly and inexpensively buy goods through a special store that sells original products. A profitable sale is made with a full set of guarantees. When choosing goods in the catalog, you can read the description and characteristics. Delivery services are carried out after ordering on individual terms.
Literally another month of calm, and we, accumulators, will start a hot season. First, prudent and experienced car enthusiasts will begin to change the batteries in advance so that in winter one fine frosty morning they will not be "horseless". Well, as the first frosts hit, the rest of the owners of iron horses, who are not all right with the electrical equipment, will also urgently catch up, each with their own problems.Good morning! Today I'm on duty on Oleg's blog - Alexey a_katkov from Moscow... We're talking about car batteries. I don’t make any promises. I can talk about my work for hours, but only because I love it very much!
Over the years in the market, I have worked with many factories and only one of them became a partner for life. Today our company is the official representative of the German MOLL plant in Russia - the official supplier of AUDI, VW, PORSCHE, SKODA, Liebherr special equipment.
It should be noted that when I started working in the 90s, there was absolutely no sense in such an educational program as it is today. And for what reasons it is needed today:
1) the composition of traffic participants has changed. Last year, we passed that significant line when 50% of men and 50% of women were driving. That is, women confidently and actively push the stronger sex and become motorists. This time. A generation of car owners has come who do not know what is under the hood and do not want to know. These are two.
The result: a low level of knowledge about the processes occurring in the car, lack of maintenance of the battery and electrical equipment. Before, every self-respecting motorist had a charger and everyone knew what it meant to charge a battery. Today we know cases when people do not know where the hood of a car opens. There is no understanding of many processes. For most, the battery seems to be such a bottomless barrel of energy, from where you can pick up and take away: forgetting the headlights are on, listening to music on the beach, picking up huge speakers, webastes, navigators, etc. And then, like in a joke: “What about him? Do you also need to charge? "
In the electrical circuit of the car, it is initially assumed that a fully charged battery is connected to it. Further, this accumulator gives up part of the energy to start the engine and the generator is turned on together with the engine. Further, the tasks of the generator include the constant generation of energy for the entire car and also return back to the battery the part it lost to start the engine.
The battery on the car is used to power the electric starter when starting the engine, to supply energy to consumers when the engine is not running and when it is running at a low speed (read plugs), as well as for the general power supply of consumers with the generator set in the event that their power exceeds the power generator (our cases with a huge number of consumers: navigation, heating, webast).
And all the bumps, as usual in our life, also receive a battery - an ordinary, but a key employee in the power supply. Let's take one frosty morning in the car: it all starts with a battery - it readily gives up some of the energy to start the engine and immediately starts feeding all energy consumers: climate control, a radio tape recorder, and someone has a TV, wipers, blowing glass, heating all windows , mirrors, chairs and a steering wheel, as well as bulbs and headlights that somehow light up in the dark.
The generator, of course, also tries to make up for such a sharp analysis of energy, and here it is important that the chemical processes inside the battery are ready at deep sub-zero temperatures with readiness to receive maximum energy from the generator. But as a rule, for the full start of all chemical processes, the battery must warm up well under the hood of the car, and this happens only while the car is moving on the road, and this path must be long enough. It is much better if the battery is installed in the cabin or in the trunk of the car, but there are not very many such models.
So, the main reason for the "chronic undercharging" of the battery in the winter is its impossibility at deep sub-zero temperatures to immediately take the maximum energy from the generator.
Why does it happen that in the summer the car enthusiast does not experience any problems with starting the engine, but in winter, even a relatively new battery does not always start the car in the morning? This indicates that the battery is "chronically" in an "undercharged" state. In summer, its charge is enough to start the engine, but in winter, in cold weather, when significant additional energy is required, it is no longer.
The conclusion is simple - the battery must be fully charged in winter . The easiest way to avoid problems in cold weather is to check the battery charge level immediately after you have seen the weather forecast, where the minus appears. Do not forget that two temperature points are especially dangerous - the transition through zero, and the first frost -20C.
This procedure is not superfluous in any case: no matter what battery you have, no matter how new the car is. Any store that sells batteries will always help you measure the state of charge of the battery. Just take 15 minutes on your way home.
How to deal with undercharging?Yes, in general, simple, here are the basic tips, some of which are useful in the winter to all motorists, even if everything is still in order:
1. In the evening, before turning off the engine, be sure to turn off all energy consumers: climate control, radio, windshield wipers, blowing glass, heating all windows, mirrors, seats, steering wheel, all bulbs and, of course, headlights. This will help the battery to focus in the morning on the main task - starting the engine, and not to spray efforts on electrical appliances forgotten in the evening, which can be turned on later.
2. Further, after the engine has started, turn on only the necessary electrical appliances and gradually, as necessary, leaving, such as a radio tape recorder, TV, multimedia system for the time when the car really warms up well.
3. If you leave the car for a week or more, then in addition to the mandatory fulfillment of paragraph 1, do not turn on the alarm, but simply close the doors with the key. Of course, in this case, it is advisable to put the car in a guarded parking lot. Many, leaving the car for a very long time, say for two or three months, then resort in horror with shouts: “it won't start!”, But it was enough to disconnect the negative terminal of the car from the battery. In this case, the battery will save all the energy for the main task - starting the engine at your first request.
4. If for any reason you buy a new battery for your car, choose batteries from well-known manufacturers that supply their products to the conveyors of high-tech cars. The technologies of these manufacturers have already jumped far ahead and they have solved many problems, for example, the rapid reception of maximum energy at deep sub-zero temperatures.
2) The structure of the vehicle fleet has changed. There were hybrid cars, cars equipped with start-stop and i-stop systems.
A conventional battery with classic technology is categorically unsuitable for vehicles with a fuel economy system, the so-called i-stop or start-stop, which turns off the engine at every traffic light or in a traffic jam when the car stops. Then, when you press the gas pedal, the engine will automatically start and the movement continues. The battery in this mode must be so technologically advanced that conventional batteries cannot do this. Indeed, during each stop, while the engine and generator are turned off, all electrical appliances remain in working order - multimedia, climate control, windshield wipers in the rain, heating and blowing, and in the dark and the headlights work as usual on the shoulders of only one battery. At the same time, he has enough energy for the subsequent start of the engine.
And as soon as the engine and, accordingly, the generator started up, the battery urgently needs to take maximum energy until the next traffic light. Considering that from traffic lights to traffic lights you can crawl in a sluggish traffic jam. In such a battery, even at extremely low temperatures, chemical processes are started almost instantly, and it is absolutely not afraid of urban operating conditions, which today are referred to as especially difficult operating conditions.
3) The nature of the movement has changed. We all "fight" in traffic jams, in the morning we "take a queue" in one direction, in the evening - in the other. The time for "free" movement has been reduced to a minimum.
The efficiency of charge acceptance in such conditions is reduced. The result is logical - the battery is undercharged.
The solution is still the same: the choice of a battery that quickly accepts and quickly releases the charge AGM or EFB. Or a standard battery with regular monitoring of the charge level and its recovery from the charger.
4) The load on the battery has changed, due to the appearance of a large number of additional equipment.
Webastes, seat heaters, navigation systems - all this requires power. Often, the amount of this additional equipment is so great that a standard battery is simply not able to "digest" such a load. Of course, cars are already rolling off the assembly line, where a special battery charge level system is installed. And the on-board computer itself turns off additional sources in the event of a critical drop in the battery charge. Still, this is not a massive case.
Solution options:
1) bring the amount of electrical equipment to a reasonable state
2) use AGM / EFB batteries that can quickly return the charge when driving
3) put an additional battery (but there are difficulties in reconciling this with the power of the generator and, in general, the embodiment of this scheme)
5) Travel distances have decreased. If earlier “our people don’t take a taxi to the buloshnaya”, today it is very even. And not only in the bunshop. Hunt to the post office, drive to the library, follow the child into the garden, etc., etc. - we cover the minimum distances in order to save time by car.
Suppose that the owner of the car lives near work and, having knocked about a little in a traffic jam (when the generator gets bored), he has already arrived. The engine and with it the generator are turned off, and all the work on the power supply is again taken over by the battery. He tightens the belt on his waist and begins to patiently feed the alarm.
Then it's lunch time and everything repeats: the battery gives out a lot, but does not have time to take in much, since the cafe is even closer than the car owner's house and the battery does not have time to warm up and adjust its chemical processes. In the evening - yes, everything is the same, and again the alarm goes on all night - be so kind as to provide it with energy.
Regular undercharging is the main reason for battery failure in large cities in our time.
There are two ways to solve it:
1) the choice of a battery that quickly accepts and quickly gives off an AGM / EFB charge (which is quick and convenient)
2) regular checking of the battery charge level and recharging if necessary (which is not very convenient - you need to have a charger, time and place for charging. And the battery must be removed and charged by someone. In the conditions of on-board computers, installing the battery under the driver's seat or in the trunk - this is not a simple event at all)
Now about the technology. All of them can be divided into two groups:
1. Classic lead batteries
2. New technologies
I will not dwell on the "classics", I will tell you what's new!
New technologies.
The technology used is usually written directly on the battery label. Be careful!
Gel technology GEL - Gel Electrolite.The electrolyte in these batteries is in a gel state, this is due to the content of silicon compounds in it.
Gel batteries are champions in deep discharge resistance and can withstand a record number of deep discharge cycles. Even despite the obvious advantages of gel batteries, they never received recognition among motorists, the reason for this was the high requirements for on-board electrical equipment and due to a sharp decrease in starting current in cold conditions. In addition, price has become an important factor in the cutoff.
Against the background of the high cost of gel batteries, the needs of automakers for such a product have become more widespread AGM batteries.
- AGM A rechargeable battery with electrolyte absorbed into a special fiberglass separator (such a battery is often called “gel” because the glass fiber with electrolyte becomes jelly-like), characterized by maximum resistance to discharge-charge cycles, record starting currents and charge acceptance rate.
Their main feature is almost 100% gas recombination. In them, the products of the chemical reaction (hydrogen, oxygen) between the electrodes and electrolytes are not released into the external environment, but remain in the pores of the glass fiber. When the battery is charged, these gases become part of the electrolyte again. Battery performance is maintained for a long time.
Due to the tight fit of the plates and the separator, the efficiency (the rate of delivery and reception of the charge) increases dramatically. This means high starting currents, easy starting of the engine and other pleasant advantages. Such batteries are insensitive to vibrations - lead paste simply has nowhere to spill out. It can be used in any condition: vertically - horizontally and even if the case is damaged it does not lose its properties. Another plus is the widest range of applications - from road transport to solar installations.
Until recently, it was the absolute leader among new high-tech batteries. However, they are not without drawbacks. AGM batteries are afraid of high temperatures, overcharging and are very expensive. Therefore, automakers installing these types of batteries on a conveyor are trying to move the battery into the trunk or under the driver's seat, or choose a more budgetary option.
The natural result of the struggle for price and quality was EFB technology, developed by the German factory MOLL, which aims to preserve all the properties of AGM batteries.
Optimized EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology with special microfiber sleeve.
It is supplied today with the original equipment of cars with the Start-Stop system on all European conveyors. Of the main advantages - Threefold increase in stability to cycles compared to a conventional starter battery and Doubled charging capacity, which allows you to quickly compensate for the discharge while driving. Such batteries are not afraid of tilting - electrolyte does not leak out at tilt angles up to 55 degrees.
High starting power significantly exceeds the performance of a conventional battery at a temperature of -18. The service life is significantly increased. Does not require topping up water during operation.
In my personal opinion (and the opinion of European automakers), this is the ideal technology for today and the best choice for any car. It works ideally in urban cycles, undercharged and still cheaper than gel and AGM.
A little about the moment of sale:
At the time of the sale right in front of you, the seller must:
1) Measure the electrical indicators of her battery, i.e.
-EMF, (it is the open circuit voltage (NRC), it is the voltage without load, it is the voltage of the open circuit) EMF of the charged battery should be 12.7 (+0.1) V
- and stress under load. The voltage under load for a battery with a capacity of 50-65 A.h this voltage will be 10-10.5V, for a battery with a capacity of 65-85Ah about 10-10.8V, for a battery of 90-110 A.h up to 11.0 V, for batteries over 132 Ah, usually above 11.1-11.5V.
2) Fill out the warranty card indicating the manufacturer, the location of the warranty workshop and the warranty period, as well as the indicators measured above. The warranty card is not issued to be placed in the glove compartment. Read it carefully as you would any instruction manual. Let me remind you that, in accordance with the laws, the warranty period for batteries is calculated not from the date of production, but from the date of its sale to the consumer.
3) Issue cash or commodity, depending on the form of filing tax returns.
Choosing a battery is a responsible business, and if everything is done correctly, you will not be afraid of any frosts!
Please ask questions!
The leader in the production of batteries in Russia * and the largest supplier to the conveyors of world car manufacturers in the Russian Federation - the AKOM plant has prepared a novelty for motorists: a battery with improved EFB technology that meets world quality standards. Thanks to the improvement of the separator and the design of the plates, the life of the new item is doubled compared to a conventional starter battery. The battery has increased resistance to deep discharges and corrosive processes, has an extended warranty - four years. Most importantly, the starting currents are significantly increased in the new battery. These products are perfect for motorists who are used to getting the best and not compromising on quality.
EFB batteries are becoming more and more popular among Russian motorists. Let's figure out what they are good for, and outline the scope of their application.
Let's imagine the typical operating conditions of a car in a city. As a rule, these are short trips with movements in traffic jams, during which the engine idles for a long time. What happens to a conventional battery? When the car is started, it is highly discharged and does not have time to charge further - the generator, when the engine is idling, may not provide enough power for charging, especially when powerful consumers of electricity are turned on at the same time (light, sound, air conditioning, winch, heated mirrors, etc.) ). It turns out that the generator is able to charge the battery only during those intervals when the car is moving at a normal speed of 40-60 km / h. But such periods are quite short, and the capacity of a conventional battery to take charge is not very high, especially at low temperatures. As a result, we get deep discharges, chronic undercharging, which leads to a reduction in battery life.
For such operating conditions, it is advisable to have a battery that is not afraid of deep discharges and is able to quickly charge. Until recently, only AGM batteries could provide such parameters, but they were practically not used in ordinary cars due to the very high price.
The emergence of EFB technology in Russia made it possible to resolve this contradiction. Unlike a conventional battery, the plates in an EFB battery are covered with a special film that prevents them from shedding during deep discharge. In addition, the battery plates themselves have become more corrosion resistant due to the use of an improved chemical composition. In addition, EFB-accumulators are able to take charge more efficiently, having time to “restore sports form” even during short trips in traffic jams. These batteries last twice as long as conventional ones. At the same time, batteries with EFB technology are much cheaper than AGM batteries.
Today, EFB batteries are used in vehicles with the Start-Stop system. But they are also recommended for those motorists who often drive in city mode - for a battery, this mode with constantly alternating charge and discharge cycles is increasingly reminiscent of driving with constant engine starts and stops. Enhanced EFB technology batteries are also suitable for vehicles equipped with additional options and powerful energy consumers, such as preheaters, winches, inverters for charging gadgets, additional lights, xenon and powerful sound systems. They are also convenient when using the car in taxi mode.
So, the AKOM + EFB storage battery is a modern and reliable product.
These batteries offer several advantages over conventional starter batteries:
- double resource and resistance to cyclic loads; withstands more than 240 charge-discharge cycles, that is, two times more than a conventional starter battery;
- increased inrush currents compared to conventional calcium batteries;
- not afraid of deep discharges;
- increased corrosion resistance of electrodes at high temperatures;
- minimum battery charging time due to improved charging current reception.
And an important fact is the long warranty period. For AKOM + EFB rechargeable batteries, it has been increased to four years.
Accumulators "AKOM + EFB" are one more proof that the accumulator battery produced in Russia is not inferior to imported counterparts and is able to provide its owner with a new level of comfort and quality. The use of improved technology provides AKOM + EFB batteries with a combination of high starting power and extended resource.
Briefly about the company "AKOM"
The AKOM group of companies is a recognized market leader in the production of storage batteries in Russia. It includes battery and metallurgical production, as well as an innovative scientific and technical center.
The range of products is formed in accordance with the requirements and preferences of consumers, as well as taking into account the trends of the automotive market in Russia, the CIS countries and Europe.
At present, AKOM Group of Companies produces AKB brands: AKOM + EFB, AKOM, ULTIMATUM, REACTOR, BRAVO. AKOM products are approved by world car manufacturers such as AVTOVAZ, GM-AVTOVAZ, United Automobile Group, Renault Nissan Russia, Ford Sollers Holding, Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok.
In addition, AKOM is actively exploring new market segments related to backup power supply for industrial enterprises, transport facilities, healthcare facilities, as well as energy storage systems.
Dealer network "AKOM" includes more than 60 largest partners throughout Russia, in the CIS countries, South-Eastern and Western Europe.
Detailed information on the website www.akom.ru
* Calculated using Rosstat data for the first half of 2017 in terms of production volume in the Russian Federation.
The emergence of EFB batteries was facilitated by automakers, who, in pursuit of fuel economy and the environment, developed cars with Start-Stop technology, which turns off the engine at traffic lights and instantly starts when the accelerator pedal is pressed. It is clear that from such mockery, simple batteries failed without having lived a year, tk. frequent discharges and charges caused the active mass to float from the electrodes, and the battery loses its energy capacity.
What batteries are made using EFB technology
Over the past 5 years, EFB technology has been used in almost every third battery production in the world. The first among the imported batteries, the EFB line appeared at Varta in the form of the Start-Stop series. Naturally, Bosch immediately had one to one the same Bosch S5 EFB. They were followed by other suppliers of automotive power supplies to German conveyors - Banner with the Running Bull line, Moll EFB and others.
After it became clear that the era of cars with the Start-Stop system came to Russia, domestic plants also began to develop EFB batteries. The first such battery was produced by the AKOM plant - a grass-green Ultimatum battery, which was not so distinguishable from imported counterparts. Then Titan EFB and Tubor EFB battery plant from Nizhny Novgorod appeared on store shelves. They were followed by the Turkish Mutlu EFBs, although they simultaneously invented their marketing abbreviation SFB for simple acid batteries (apparently wanting to see only three letters in their battery models). Slovenian TAB EFB and so on.
But there is one "but" - the assortment line of EFB batteries is limited, because few people will buy a battery for mass cars, a battery that is twice as large as the 6-ST type familiar from ancient times.
How to charge an EFB battery
The EFB battery is charged in the same way as a calcium maintenance-free liquid electrolyte battery. From the nuances, you may come across the fact that initially these batteries were made for the conveyor, and they are known to have their own quirks, so you can find batteries with difficult-to-unscrew covers that require either a special key or skillful hands.
Batteries EFB is considered the innovative future of battery manufacturing. Many European manufacturers have already switched to these technologies a long time ago. The domestic market is only now beginning to switch over and produce similar batteries. The technology is more affordable, but at the same time it will last much longer. Many manufacturers present these products. Having studied its features, advantages and charging methods, it is worth making a choice in favor of the EFB.
Curbing
What is EFB Battery
Enhanced Flooded Battery translated from English means "improved battery with liquid electrolyte." The design uses thick lead plates, which have high capacity and recharge speed.
Microfibers are filled with liquid sulfuric acid electrolyte, like an envelope, cover the plates. This approach protects the plates from sulfation, short circuits, and premature battery failure. The safety of this model is guaranteed.
Where are EFB batteries used?
Initially, they were created for cars with the Start-Stop system, which is relevant for the European car market. If you use a regular battery, then it will not withstand many starts during the day. But EFB technology can handle this easily. Charging is carried out as quickly as possible, so even with a short trip, the generator compensates for the energy expended.
The scope of the battery is very diverse and should not be limited to a car. They are used for boats, motorhomes, hybrids, electric cars. Undeniable advantages determine the popularity of the product - long service life, resistance to deep discharges, fast charge.
Applied technology in EFB batteries
- Plates use more lead than conventional lead acid batteries;
- Since there is more lead, the electrolyte itself is significantly less (about 3 times);
- Positively charged plates are wrapped in a special porous bag that allows electrolyte to pass through, but does not allow oxides to settle, which destroy the plates;
- Due to protection against, the battery has become resistant to deep discharges (withstands up to 150 deep discharges);
- Purified lead is used, so the charging process is much faster (the battery can be charged even if you are driving in a traffic jam with a Start-Stop system);
- The splices on the plates are made using vibration-resistant technologies, which reduces the risk of mechanical damage to the plates;
- The modern labyrinth lid excludes the possibility of the electrolyte boiling away (it condenses and goes through special channels to the bottom of the can), which makes the battery completely maintenance-free (shelf life up to 10 years or more);
All sealed accumulators are equipped with a pressure relief valve. If the electrolyte starts to boil strongly and there is a danger of explosion of the battery, steam (boiling electrolyte) will be released through these valves. This can severely lower the liquid level in the cans, causing the battery to fail.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive characteristics determine the popularity of the presented models:
- Immunity to almost zero discharges. At the same time, the capacity is restored to almost 100%. In such cases, conventional batteries lose part of their resource.
- Operates in the temperature range from -50 to +60 ° C.
- Starting current indicators are improved by 30-50% compared to standard batteries;
- The electrolyte practically does not evaporate.
- Safe due to the absence of electrolyte evaporation.
- Improved cold crank current readings to allow the device to operate in low temperatures.
- Charge-discharge - a cycle that can be carried out more times than with conventional batteries. This retains functionality.
The main disadvantage is the high cost of the product, which not every consumer decides on.
Difference between EFB and AGM
AGM and EFB technologies are similar to each other, the main difference is the electrolyte used. In the first case, liquid is used, fiberglass acts as an envelope. This option does not come out at all.
At EFB, it is also liquid, when shaking, you can even hear how it flops, but it is much less, and the plates are wrapped more tightly. The electrochemical liquid is not sealed inside the fiberglass. We can say that EFB technology is a cross between conventional batteries and AGM.
The structural differences include:
- The thickness of the plate is greater, which means that the duration of work increases.
- With less electrolyte and the use of purified lead, the charge is accumulated by 45%.
- EFB is cheaper than AGM. However, the latter have the best performance as proven by alphaline batteries.
How to charge an EFB battery
You don't have to learn anything new to charge such a battery. Due to the similar design, the process is the same as when charging the AMG. The main thing in this matter is the reconciliation of a quality charger and following the instructions. The voltage of the charger should not exceed 14.4 V. It is good if the charger has a current indication, which allows you to monitor the indicator.
It is important to observe the polarity when connecting the device to the terminals. If the charging falls below 2.5 A, then the charging process can be considered complete. You should not use the accelerated mode so as not to face the problem of increased gassing. Opening of the plug, which could lead to a change in the chemical equilibrium, is not allowed.
Which EFB Battery Is Better To Choose
Among domestic manufacturers, products are popular:
- , represented by seven types of batteries, the capacity of which varies from 55 to 100 A / h. The cost of the products corresponds to the declared characteristics.
- Due to the use of special additives, Ultimatum batteries have improved charge acceptance and service life.
- The combination of impeccable assembly and modern technology is the product of a domestic enterprise. Every consumer can find a suitable model among the wide range of products.
Among foreign manufacturers, one cannot pass by:
- Varta Blue Dynamic is a whole line from Varta dedicated to products with EFB technology. It differs in capacity and price.
- For 60 years of existence on the market, the Turkish manufacturer offers a wide range of batteries for cars and trucks. Due to good performance, the products are installed on the car even with the original factory configuration.
- Bosch s5 is a battery designed for the well-known Stop Go technology. Saves fuel, reduces emissions and noise by reducing idle time.
With complete information, it is no longer so difficult to make a choice in favor of a particular EFB.
Did you have or have a battery with eFB technology? Then tell us in the comments about your impressions about it, this will greatly help other motorists and make the material more complete and accurate.
