10.2.2 Battery device
Chemical energy is converted into electrical energy inside the battery pack. The chemistry lies in fact that two plates consisting of lead were placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, on which clips were made (Figure 10.1). Two wires from the generator are connected to the clips. They start rotating it so that it emits electric current and charges the battery (while the battery is charging, it is a consumer of current). In this case, the electrical energy was converted into chemical energy - the battery was charged. In case if we disconnect the generator from the clips and connected, for example, a light bulb, and it will light up! It is so, because the process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy has begun. The benefit of this design is that the charging and discharging processes can be performed repeatedly. And in case if one follows the basic, fairly simple, rules of operation of the battery, it can last a long time.
The simplest battery consists of two plates that are placed in a housing (also called a battery cell). This housing is filled with a solution of sulfuric acid (which is called an electrolyte) and closed on top with a cover. This cover has holes, through which two clips come from each of the plates (positive and negative).
Figure 10.1 Battery pack operating principle.
Any battery pack consists of several (often six) simple batteries described above. Why exactly six? The car's on-board network is designed for 12 V, which means that the battery pack must produce the same. Due to its size, one cell (two plates) provides a voltage of approximately 2 V. In order to obtain 12 V positive and negative plates are connected in series and make two common clips - positive and negative (see Figure 10.2).
Note
The battery pack must have such a size that it shall fit optimally into the limited space of the car's engine compartment.
Figure 10.2 Battery pack arrangement.
Many modern cars have a kind of protection for preventing theft of the audio system head module, which blocks the audio receiver after disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery. For the radio to work, one shall enter a certain code - the key. In case if you buy a new car, this code will be handed to you in the automotive dealership. In case if you buy a used car, you shall check with the owner the presence of such a code.
Note
It is worth mentioning that in some modern cars, after disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it, the on-board computer may display an error message. This message can be reset with the help of specialized equipment at the service station.
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