Standard Battery Test Cycles

The evaluation of lead-acid battery performance is typically approached based on the specific performance parameter of interest (e.g. capacity, power, life, etc.) or the specific application in which the battery will be applied (e.g. motive power, back up power, automotive SLI, etc.). This results in numerous evaluation methods and standards, some of which are codified into industry standards, but many of which (particularly application specific) are proprietary. This diversity of performance metrics makes the measurement of performance improvements across a wide range of battery products difficult. To assist the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC) in evaluating the results of its various research, development and demonstration projects a set of standard tests for the specific performance metric of battery cycle life in a variety of battery applications is desireable. Electric Applications Incorporated (EAI) was contracted to develop this set of standard tests.

The project began by developing an overview of industry test standards and test cycles used for evaluation of lead-acid battery performance. These standards were cataloged by performance metric (e.g. capacity, power, life) and by generic application (e.g. automotive SLI) or specific application (e.g. 12 volt start/stop hybrid). From this work a detailed listing of the standards and test cycles used for specifically for life-cycle evaluation is being cataloged by applications (generic and specific). These life-cycle test cycles will be reviewed in conjunction with the ALABC to establish a standard test cycles for the various applications in which the ALABC conducts research, development and demonstration projects.