5 Must-Know Battery Terms and Definitions for Beginners

Everyone has to start learning somewhere; there’s no topic in the world you jump into and suddenly know everything about, and battery packs are no different. For beginners looking to learn something new, here are five must-know battery terms and their definitions to help you get started.

Capacity

Capacity usually means how much something can hold, like a car having a five-person capacity. However, this term is a little different when it comes to batteries. Battery capacity refers to your battery’s ability to deliver its stored energy at a particular power level for a specific amount of time. Knowing a battery’s capacity can give you an idea of how long it will last based on the amount of energy the battery puts out.

Charge Cycle

Charge cycle, also written as charge/discharge cycle, is a term that describes how many times your battery can be safely cycled – a cycle being the process of fully discharging your battery and then charging it back up again – before it starts to hold less power. A typical charge cycle will bring your battery to 100 percent; you can use it until it runs low, then charge it back up to full power. If a battery boasts 5,000 charge cycles, it should last without issues for around 13 years—assuming you charge it once daily.

Lithium-Ion

A must-know battery term for beginners is lithium-ion. Unlike older lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries use the element of lithium as part of their makeup. Many golf carts and RVs now use large lithium battery packs due to the fact that these batteries are safer, longer-lasting, and of higher quality than lead-acid batteries.

Voltage

Voltage refers to your battery’s electrical potential. When shopping for new lithium-ion batteries, you’ll typically find voltages ranging from 12V to 72V. Using a battery with a higher than recommended voltage on a piece of equipment that can’t handle it can damage your machine, so make sure to check your intended application’s required input voltage before you begin shopping.

Current

Current is similar to voltage, but while voltage focuses on the “pressure” of electricity going through your battery, the current is the rate of power flowing through your circuits. Voltage measures itself in volts, while we measure current in amps. Voltage is often a cause, while current is the result.