Electrochemical batteries

An electrochemical battery (30) has a plurality of alternating positive and negative plates (40,50); at least one tab (51,45) protruding from one edge of each of the positive and negative plates; at least one tab (27,42) protruding from an opposite edge of each of the positive and negative plates; a pair of negative plate straps (32A,B) connecting together each tab protruding from each negative plate; a pair of positive plate straps (36A,B) connecting together each tab protruding from each positive plate; a first diagonal bar (34) connecting together the pair of negative plate straps; and a second diagonal bar (38) connecting together the pair of positive plate straps. A key advantage of the invention is that resistance is reduced and electrical characteristics of the battery are improved under load conditions. Another advantage of the invention is that a manufacturer of conventional batteries either can use existing top-mounted terminal posts or can support side-mounted terminal posts with the diagonal bars.