The charger strips electrons from the cathode leaving it with a net positive charge and forces those electrons onto the anode giving it a negative charge. The energy pumped into the cell transforms the active chemicals back to their original state.

The generator set industry primarily uses an automatic type battery charger for standby applications.

The system designer selects the battery type on its merits for a given application. This sheet details the operation and make of the two battery types and their various advantages and disadvantages.

Lead Acid - This battery produces a voltage by the reaction of lead and lead oxide with a diluted sulfuric acid electrolyte wet cell. When a load is connected across the negative and positive electrodes, the negative lead electrode reacts with the sulfate in the electrolyte to form lead sulfate. The negative lead electrode supplies positive ions and is left negative. When a charge is applied across the electrodes, the reaction is reversed with the energy from the charger, the lead sulfate is broken down with oxygen from ionized water. Lead oxide is deposited on the positive electrode and lead is deposited on the negative electrode.

Advantages of Lead Acid Batteries: Lead acid is the most widely used battery for starting engines due to its dominance in the automotive industry. Initial purchase cost is low but life cycle costs may be higher depending on the application (See comparison chart above). Other advantages include its ability to deliver high current, to be left on trickle/float charge for long periods and its universal availability in many varieties.

Disadvantages of Lead Acid Batteries: They are not suitable for fast charging. They have a lower cycle life than NiCd, lower temperature limit and require more maintenance due to gassing.

Nickel Cadmium - NiCd batteries used for power generation are also the wet cell type but the electrolyte is a potassium hydroxide (alkaline) electrolyte. The positive electrode is nickel hydroxide Ni(OH) and the negative electrode is cadmium (Cd). The potassium hydroxide electrolyte takes no part in the charge-discharge reactions and acts only as a charge carrier. At the negative electrode (cathode), the cadmium oxidizes to cadmium hydroxide on discharge while the hydrated nickel compounds at the positive electrode (anode) are reduced to nickel hydroxide.

Nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial uses are of the vented (open) or semi-sealed type and may be of pocket plate, sintered plate or fiber structured construction.

Advantages of Nickel Cadmium: NiCd is often chosen for telephone systems and standby generators because of its ability to operate through a high temperature range, its higher recycle life with recharging 3 to 5 times more than lead acid, fewer maintenance requirements (topping off is not required for many years) and a faster charge and discharge rate.

Disadvantages of Nickel Cadmium: NiCd batteries initially cost more than lead acid, include cadmium, a potentially hazardous material, and have a higher self discharge rate (which on large battery systems could represent higher float charge energy costs).

****This article is collected from Clifford Power Systems, Inc.

Conclusion:

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