The earliest examples of motorcars did not require a battery at all as the car was started by hand and sparks for the ignition were generated using a mechanical spark generator called a magneto. With the advent of electric lighting a battery was introduced to power the lighting. A battery is simply a method of storing electricity in a portable fashion. A standard disposable battery wouldn't make any sense on a vehicle as the cost of replacing a battery every time it ran low would be enormous. Obviously the solution is to have a rechargeable battery so that it can be continually topped up, a typical car battery has a life span of 3 to 5 years.
A battery is called upon to supply power for a number of tasks on a typical car including starting, ignition, lighting, screen wipers and ignition. A good quality, well maintained battery is a vital part of the electrical system but it is often neglected, badly treated and only replaced when it finally gives in. Good maintenance of the battery will ensure reliable running and significantly extend its life.
IMPORTANT: A car battery, regardless of type should not be allowed to run flat as this will cause long term damage to the battery. From 1936 with the introduction of the Cambridge an electric clock is installed using a small amount of battery power all the time. If the car is to be left unused for any length of time the battery should be disconnected to prevent the clock from draining the battery.
Originally all Austin 10's before the Cambridge (1936) had two 6v batteries to provide the 12v supply. For convenience however many owners have installed a singe 12v battery. In the Cambridge battery is stored under the seat rather than in the engine compartment.
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Austin Ten clocks