Traditional batteries use lead plates suspended in acid. However, the plates are not pure lead, but an alloy of lead, antimony, and other metals. It is these other metals that 
allow sulphation (irreversible coating of the plates) to occur. When a battery sits idle, sulphation occurs at a greatly increased rate. As the plates develop more of this coating, the battery is less & less able to accept a full charge and finally dies.Battery designers can't use pure lead plates in a traditional design because they're too soft, and will bend and touch each other inside the case, shorting out the battery.Spiral cell batteries use a pure lead sheet, wound in spiral with a fiberglass mat that absorbs the liquid acid. This allows a much greater resistance to sulphation, and an ability to sit idle for long periods without losing charge. Just the ticket for vintage cars.
allow sulphation (irreversible coating of the plates) to occur. When a battery sits idle, sulphation occurs at a greatly increased rate. As the plates develop more of this coating, the battery is less & less able to accept a full charge and finally dies.Battery designers can't use pure lead plates in a traditional design because they're too soft, and will bend and touch each other inside the case, shorting out the battery.Spiral cell batteries use a pure lead sheet, wound in spiral with a fiberglass mat that absorbs the liquid acid. This allows a much greater resistance to sulphation, and an ability to sit idle for long periods without losing charge. Just the ticket for vintage cars.
