What is 12v battery and what are their types and uses?

1. What are 12V batteries? What does a 12V battery mean?

Batteries come in different shapes, sizes and differ in their uses. The 12V battery is one of such common batteries. However, what do you know about the 12-volt battery and what is its use? A 12 volt battery is a kind of battery that is often used for various electrical gadgets and appliances. The 12 volt battery is distinct and different in its use, as it comes in different shapes and sizes.In some instances, they might be large and heavy or small and light.They may be cylindrical or square batteries.

Furthermore, they are also used for transportation purposes in vehicles, boats and other gadgets. 12 volt battery sizes are often influenced by their uses and the amount of amp-hour they are built to produce. Therefore, a 12 V battery implies that a voltage of 12V is supplied within the nominal load by a battery.

The following video will introduce you to how the 12v 200ah lithium ion battery is made.

2. 12V battery types

There are two basic types of 12V batteries, which are lithium-ion 12V batteries and lead-acid 12V batteries. All the lead-acid batteries have been around for a while, and lithium-ion batteries are relatively newer; each of these 12 V battery types has its perks and advantages.

① Flooded lead-acid batteries

This form of battery is the most common type of 12V battery to have ever existed. The battery consists of suspended lead plates immersed in a solution of sulphuric acid. This setup and structure help initiate a chemical reaction that stores energy. However, to keep this battery functioning appropriately, you need to have enough water in them. This implies that they have to be monitored to be maintained appropriately. An average battery lasts for about 2 to 5 years and costs $100, which is quite affordable.

• Pros：One of the major parts of this kind of battery is that it has been around for a long time. This allows its parts to be cheap and easily sourced. This type of battery is perfect for starting vehicle engines.
• Cons：The battery requires a lot of maintenance and monitoring, as a specific amount of liquid is required to keep it functioning. Furthermore, it has the shortest lifespan of all, which can be easily affected by different external factors such as extreme heat and cold.

② Sealed valve-regulated lead-acid batteries (VRLA)

This form of battery is an upgrade to the open flooded lead battery type for 12 volt. This form of battery is sealed and filled with the necessary ingredients needed for the battery to function appropriately. The battery operates with all of its chemicals closed tightly within it, building up hydrogen gas pressure.

Ultimately, this gas turns to water, and the gas pressure might likely exceed the gas pressure. The regulator valve is used to regulate this pressure and cope with the demands of the battery. With this mechanism in place, the lifespan of the battery lasts for about 2 to 8 years.

• Pros：There is no need for a monitoring approach to its maintenance. Although they're more expensive than the flooded battery, they offer much more.
• Cons：The price might discourage buyers who are concerned about the price of batteries. Furthermore, a well-maintained flooded battery is likely to last longer than a sealed valve-regulated lead-acid battery.

③ Gel 12V batteries

This form of lead-acid battery suspends its lead plate in a gel-like substance. Gel 12 volt batteries are likely to last for as long as 2 to 5 years and should cost between $100 to $800.

• Pros：Gel batteries work perfectly in extreme conditions such as extreme heat or cold. It also requires little or no maintenance cuz you don't have to worry about its liquid leaking out.
• Cons：Gel 12 V battery requires a lot of care when they are being charged. They are often charged with a charge controller and require different charging cycles which operate at lower voltages.

④ AGM 12V batteries

AGM is an Absorbent Glass Mat technology that is a sealed lead-acid battery type. This form of battery allows the lead plates to stay between the fibreglass saturated electrolyte mat. This enhances the rate of charging and discharging. This form of the battery can last for 4 to 7 years, with its cheapest form going for as high as $200.

• Pros：AGM batteries don't need any form of maintenance, as they are also perfect for harsh conditions. They don't need any form of special charging gadget and normally have a longer lifespan.

• Cons：AGM batteries are extremely expensive and are more costly than lead-acid or Gel battery types.Ultimately all lead-acid 12 volt batteries have very strict requirements and usage guidelines before they can reach their potential and be used maximally.

⑤ Lithium ion 12V batteries

Lithium-ion 12v batteries are currently the most common types of 12V batteries around.

• Pros：Lithium-ion 12 volt batteries offer much more than the lead-acid 12V battery. Lithium-ion batteries use lithium salt instead of acid or any form of liquid which enhances their capacity.Lithium-ion batteries help make electronic batteries safer and more environment-friendly, thus they serve as a better alternative to lead-acid batteries.
• Cons: 12V lithium-ion batteries are expensive than other types of batteries.

Here are the common 12v lithium ion battery products:

	12v 6ah	12v 12ah	12v 100ah	12v 200ah
Product image
Price & Discount	$49.00(-29%)	$79.99(-33%)	$579.99(-27%)	$999.99(-44%)
Charge Current	1.2A	2.4A	20A	20A
Discharge Current	6A	12A	100A	100A
More information	Click 12v 6ah battery  to get the details	Click  12v 12ah battery  to get the details	Click  12v 100ah battery  to get the details	Click  12v 200ah battery  to get the details

3. How to choose the right 12V battery?

Choosing the right battery type is never easy, as some different advantages and disadvantages would influence your choices. However, your choice must be hinged on your use of the battery and your cost. Lithium-ion 12V battery is expensive, however

the lithium-ion 12 V battery is at the top of the list with its capacity, safety, low maintenance, power and long lifespan. So in the long run,lithium-ion batteries with up to 4,000 cycles can save a lot of maintenance and replacement costs.It's more cost-effective than the traditional batteries.

4. What is a 12V battery used for?

12V batteries are common types of batteries that are used in powering boats, cars, RVs and other forms of automobiles. Some 12V batteries are also used alongside generators to generate electricity and power up buildings.

5. FAQs about 12 V battery

① How Long Will a 12V Battery last?

12V batteries are of different types and in different forms, with most of them having different half-life and capacities to last.

For instance, an average 12V car battery lasts for about 3 to 5 years:

• AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) is estimated to last for about 4 to 7 years;
• Gel 12V batteries are likely to last for 2 to 5 years;
• VRLA (Sealed Verve Lead Acid) is predicted to last for 2 to 8 years;
• while flooded lead-acid batteries are expected to last for 2 to 5 years;
• If the lithium-ion battery is recycled once a day, it can last for nearly a decade (4000cycle/365≈10.96).

Although it is difficult to determine the average time a 12v battery lasts; however you should look to change your battery once every five years.

② Can you recharge a 12v battery?

Yes, your 12 volt battery can be recharged. How then do you charge your 12A battery? To charge the 12 V battery, you need to connect your battery to the battery charger by connecting the black negative cable from the charger to the 12V battery's negative terminal.

Must also use clips and clamps to secure the terminal. Immediately the terminal is connected and well-labelled; you can connect the charger to the Red and positive cable part of the battery.

③ Why do cars use 12V batteries?

Cars make use of batteries because batteries provide DC power which is more useful than AC power. Since 24V and 48V are easier to manage and more efficient, why are cars using the 12V car battery type?

When the voltage generated from the battery is extremely high, there is a high chance that it causes great safety concerns. For several decades 12V car battery has not been changed and served as a standard. Therefore, it is difficult to change from 12V dc battery to any other voltage without a valid reason.

④ Are all 12V the same size?

12 Volt batteries are not the same. They are different as their sizes are often dictated by their capacity and their different uses. This is because their uses, functions and perks are influenced by their specification which dictates the amount of energy they can store and for how long it can be stored.

⑤ What do 12V batteries look like?

12V batteries are of different shapes and sizes. Lithium batteries of different capacities look different. You can check out our website for the difference between 12v lithium batteries of different high specifications to get a better understanding of 12 V battery.