Machines · machine
Lead–Acid Battery
Power source · 1859
- Year
- 1859
- Kind
- Power source
- Materials
- Lead, lead dioxide, sulfuric acid, polypropylene case; the most recycled product in the world by mass.
- Efficiency
- 80–90 % round-trip.
- Used In
- Starting cars, backup power, forklifts.
- Power Density
- 30–40 Wh/kg — a tenth of lithium-ion.
- Cycle
- None
How It Works
Lead and lead dioxide plates in sulfuric acid; both turn to lead sulfate as it discharges and back again on charging. Heavy and old, but cheap, rugged, and able to deliver the hundreds of amps a starter motor wants.
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