Exide Select Orbital Breaks Car-Battery Rules Superior Power, Virtually Acid Free and Leakproof
28 May 1999
Exide Select Orbital Breaks Car-Battery Rules Superior Power, Virtually Acid Free and Leakproof
READING, Pa., May 27 -- Exide Corporation, the world's
largest producer of lead-acid batteries, today introduced the "spiral-wound"
Exide Orbital Select, the first significant car (or SLI -- starting, lighting,
ignition) battery breakthrough since the maintenance-free model 30 years ago.
Featuring highly efficient construction of tightly wound plates, an
internal design helping to provide power unparalleled in conventional
automotive batteries, along with gas recombinant technology to eliminate
free-liquid battery acid, the Exide Orbital Select ushers in a new era in
automotive battery technology.
Increased cranking power when it counts (during the initial starting
process), the ability to retain a charge through extended periods of non use,
virtually complete resistance to vibration and (normal) underhood physical
abuse as well as greater safety through the elimination of free-liquid battery
acid and serious gassing are features of this new battery which resembles a
black six-pack of beer.
In addition, the Orbital's technology means the battery can be mounted in
any position and in any location (even upside down in the passenger
compartment) without leaking or gassing -- giving auto manufacturers a great
deal of flexibility in future designs.
"This is a battery which can be physically abused, left unused for
months -- even punctured! -- and still start your vehicle," explained Robert
A. Lutz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Even the best
conventional batteries will fail when under these conditions."
The Exide Orbital Select even breaks the rules on battery retailing.
Because there is no danger of leaking acid or explosive gassing, unlike
conventional automotive batteries, the Orbital can be shipped via conventional
means, like FedEx, United Parcel Service and the mail, so it can be sold via
the Internet or telemarketing.
In addition, since the Exide Orbital Select is the first SLI battery
fitted with six terminals (including two on the side for many General Motors
models), true universal termination has been achieved.
"And since the assurance your car or truck will start WHENEVER and
WHEREVER you need it, the Exide Select Orbital is the ultimate lead-acid SLI
battery," added Lutz.
How did Exide eliminate liquid battery acid?
In a conventional battery, the lead elements are totally submerged in the
electrolyte (acid). Although many batteries today are maintenance free and do
not require checking and refilling of the acid, they must be mounted upright
in order to allow the gas to be vented through a series of holes. Improper
mounting -- or handling of a conventional battery -- could result in acid
leaking from these vent holes.
In the event of severe overcharge, this new battery still needs to vent
gas, but its valve-regulated-lead-acid construction features six "burp" valves
which allows the gas to escape without compromising its sealed quality. And
there is no free-liquid electrolyte to escape through these "burp" valves.
The Exide Orbital Select uses AGM (absorbed-glass matte) separators,
which, along with the tightly-wound lead elements, have the acid (in a
paste-like form) bound within their structure, eliminating the need for free
electrolyte.
The separators work similar to the principle by which paper towels absorb
water, with the acid trapped both on the surface and in the spaces between the
fibers.
Why is the construction of the Exide Orbital Select so strong?
The secret of the increased durability and strength lies in its tightly
wound plates and compressed separators.
Each of the six lead elements -- more than a meter long when laid
out -- is pressure-packed and rolled into its own separator to resist
vibration damage. This construction also minimizes conventional plate
shedding and positive grid disintegration, the number-one reason for battery
failure.
"The spiral-wound elements look like a jelly roll," said Lutz. "And each
goes into its own cylindrical compartment which gives the Orbital its six-pack
look."
How about performance?
Perhaps the best news the Exide Orbital Select brings to the market is,
besides safety and durability, this new battery's new construction enables it
to outperform conventional units.
The combination of efficient internal connections, and the spacing of the
new separators -- along with the elimination of the highly-resistant
electrolyte -- gives the new battery less post-to-post resistance. This
provides one to one-and-a-half more volts of additional cranking power -- a
more than 15-percent improvement.
According to Michael Greenlee, Exide's engineering vice president, the
measure of this ability, like most features of the Orbital, is unique.
"Old concepts like conventional CCA (cold-cranking amps) do not fit
recombinant batteries like the Orbital," he explained. "The Orbital is
designed for peak cranking power during the initial three to five seconds of
use, when it is most needed. During this period, the Orbital puts out the
equivalent of a 1,000 CCA conventional lead-acid unit."
"And it can do this even when left unused for weeks or months, like
someone might do with a vehicle at a summer home or a 'weekend special'
vehicle like a classic sports car."
The Orbital's lower resistance also means faster charging time, and the
construction prevents stratifying -- or uneven wear of the conventional plates
as the battery discharges.
High underhood temperatures -- a traditional enemy of a car battery -- has
its effect minimized by the Orbital Select as its sealed construction
eliminates electrolyte loss due to evaporation while its element design
minimizes the effects on grids and active material.
The Exide Orbital Select joins the other premium products in the company's
Select line -- including batteries, starters and accessories.
Exide Corporation, with annual revenues of more than $2.2 billion and
operations in 19 countries, is a world leader in the manufacture of automotive
and industrial lead acid batteries. In fact, the Exide Orbital Select is
produced in the company's Malpica factory in Spain.
Further information about Exide's business and products is available at
http://www.exideworld.com.