What Are the Different Types of Motorcycle Batteries?
WHAT IS A MOTORCYCLE BATTERY?
A motorbike battery is an electrical energy storage system that uses a reversible chemical interaction between the lead and the acid in the battery to store electrical energy.
Battery Electrolyte (also known as Battery Acid) is sulfuric acid and distilled water mixture that is added to motorcycle batteries and acts as a conductor between the lead in the battery and the battery acid, allowing an electrical charge to be created. You must look at your proposed use and choose the battery partly based on this usage, as it is no good purchasing an expensive Gel Battery and keeping the motorbike in the shed most of the year.
IN THE WORLD OF MOTORCYCLE BATTERIES, THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE BATTERIES:
1. WET CELL BATTERIES (TYPE 1)
Wet cell batteries are also known as lead-acid batteries, conventional batteries and flooded cell batteries.
2. DRY CELL BATTERIES (TYPE 2)
Dry cell batteries are also known as maintenance-free batteries and sealed type batteries.
3. GEL MOTORBIKE BATTERIES (TYPE 3)
Gel motorcycle batteries are also known as gel-filled batteries and gel acid batteries.
HOW DO THESE THREE MOTORBIKE BATTERIES DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?
WET CELL BATTERIES (TYPE 1)
Wet cell batteries are also known as lead-acid batteries, conventional batteries and flooded cell batteries. These were the first motorbike batteries available on the marketplace and are still used to this day.
A row of plastic stoppers in the top of a lead-acid or traditional motorbike battery can typically be recognised (3 stoppers in a 6-volt battery & 6 stoppers in a 12-volt battery).
Lead-acid batteries normally feature a white/opaque plastic lower case with greater and lower battery acid levels on the front.
When charging or discharging, conventional/lead-acid batteries contain the battery cell's electrolytes in a liquid acid and emit Hydrogen gas (Hydrogen gas is not pleasant). It's highly flammable and toxic)
As the water portion of the battery acid depletes over time, these batteries must be frequently examined and topped up to the upper-level mark with Distilled Water (Not battery acid).
DRY CELL BATTERIES (TYPE 2)
Dry cell batteries are also known as maintenance-free batteries and sealed type batteries.
Maintenance-free or sealed motorcycle batteries are typically supplied with the acid separately, and after the battery is full and the cap is placed on top, there is no need to monitor or top up the acid.
The letters YTX, CTX, or GTX generally begin the reference numbers for maintenance-free or sealed motorbike batteries (e.g YTX9-BS).
Maintenance-free batteries have a black casing with a stopper sunk into the top (occasionally blue or grey). These hermetically sealed, non-refillable batteries do not require the top to be removed or the acid level to be monitored once they have been filled.
Sealed motorcycle batteries keep the electrolytes in a low-moisture paste and use pressure to recombine the oxygen and hydrogen created while charging into the water.
GEL MOTORBIKE BATTERIES (TYPE 3)
Gel motorcycle batteries are also known as gel-filled batteries and gel acid batteries.
The battery number in gel acid or gel-filled batteries usually begins with the prefix YT, CT, GT, or YTZ, CTZ, or GTZ (e.g. YT9B-4 or YTZ10-S).
The housing of these batteries is usually black, blue, or grey, with a black, blue, or grey top.
These batteries are loaded with a gel state acid and sealed when they are manufactured, so they don't need to be topped up.
Gel acid batteries are frequently used in motorcycles where the battery must be mounted at an angle or on its side (due to the gel acid not moving around).
Gel battery electrolytes are wrapped in a gelling agent (such as fumed silica) to preserve the acid in a gel condition. Because gel-filled batteries are hermetically sealed and cannot be refilled, there is no need to remove the top or check the acid level.
Under pressure, gel batteries recombine the oxygen and hydrogen created while charging back into the water.
TRUSTED MOTORCYCLE BATTERY SUPPLIER
Batco Batteries offers a wide range of high-quality motorcycle batteries. Our battery expert will be delighted to provide you with additional information and recommendations. Call us now!