Traction/Motive/Deep Cycle Battery Construction

Motive batteries are usually “flooded” (or sealed) wet-cell deep cycle lead-acid batteries designed for applications where the batteries are regularly discharged, such as pallet jacks, forklifts, AGVs and towing vehicles. They are typically available with 24, 32, 36, 48, and 80-volt output.

Lead-acid batteries are constructed with a number of cells. Each cell will produce a nominal voltage of 2 .1 volts when fully charged. When the cells are connected together in series the cell voltage outputs are added together. Therefore, a 24-volt battery is composed of 12 cells, whereas a 48-volt battery has 24 cells.

These batteries contain lead plate electrodes that are interleaved with non-conductive separators and they are filled with a diluted solution of sulfuric acid. Deep cycle batteries used in motive power applications are built with thick lead electrodes that maintain their voltage for prolonged periods and will withstand frequent charging and discharging.

When operating, batteries must not be routinely discharged to a voltage below 80% of their nominal rating, because the total battery life will be severely shortened.