WHAT DOES THE BATTERY WORK?

The positive electrode is made of lead dioxide and the negative electrode is of porous lead. When a consumer is connected'to the battery (lamp or starter-motor) electric current will start flowing through the electrolyte, which will supply the consumer with electrical energy. This will trigger a chemical reaction within the battery causing formation of lead sulphate on both plate types, i.e. the battery will start discharging.

The battery may be recharged from an external source such as an alternator, dynamo or a charging unit. As soon as an external source is connected, the lead sulphate returns to starting material, i.e. into lead dioxide and porous lead.

During recharging, electricity causes decomposition (hydrolysis) of water within the electrolyte breaking it up to hydrogen and oxygen, which escape in the form of gas. That is why gas is released during battery recharge.