Despite the fact that batteries were of important value for experimental purposes, in actual practice, their voltage fluctuated and they were unable to provide large current for a sustained period of time. The first practical source of electricity over the years was the Daniell cell that was invented in 1836 by a British chemist named John Federico v.

The Daniell cell became an industrial standard and became a power source for electrical telegraph networks. The Daniell cell consisted of copper pots filled with copper sulfate solution and was immersed in an unglazed earthenware container filled with zinc electrode and sulphuric acid. The wet cells used liquid electrolytes which had a tendency of leakage if not handled properly. Others used glass jars to hold their components which made it potentially dangerous and fragile. These were the characteristics that made wet cells unsuitable for portable appliances.

Battery chronology

Below is the chronology of battries.

• 1800: Alessandra Volta discovers the voltaic pile
• 1859: Gaston Planté invents the lead-acid (car) battery
• 1881: Camille Alphonse Faure manufactures the car battery
• 1866: Georges Leclanché invents the Leclanche cell (wet-cell battery)
• 1886: Carl Gassner invents the first dry-cell battery
• 1987: Sony Corp. of Japan invents the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery for mobile phones and laptops
• 1991: The Lithium-ion battery is made commercially available
• 1993: Stanford Ovshinsky demonstrates a Chrysler minivan (car) powered by his nickel metal hydride battery pack
• 2009: The Obama Administration pledges $2bn to battery technology development

Today: Battery-powered cars and battery-powered homes set to replace petrol cars and conventional power grids respectively.

Why are Batteries so Important Today?

When fossil fuels replaced coal as one of the world’s major energy source, it was only natural that someday, fossil fuels would be replaced by some other form of energy. Well, that day has come and renewable energy is the new replacement. Of all the characteristics that make renewable energy possible, the most significant is STORAGE! That’s why batteries are so important today. Without storage (batteries), it will prove impossible to store and retrieve the energy generated from renewable sources.

Batteries are so important because they are portable and RECHARGEABLE!

It is commonplace to downplay the importance of batteries in this digital age until perhaps your mobile phone runs out of power. In fact, on continents like Africa where power supply from the National Grid is still epileptic, one of the first considerations for buying a smart phone is battery life. Batteries subliminally define the limits of productivity on such continents and many are turning to renewable energy to escape the frustration of the National Grid.

Think about it, thirty years ago, the thought of powering cars with other forms of energy other than gasoline seemed far-fetched but today it is a reality. Today there are battery-powered rechargeable cars. Rechargeable batteries can last for months or years depending on how they are used. This means that you can save money and protect the environment at the same time.

As renewable energy gains momentum, necessity will drive invention and as with other forms of energy in their hay days, the battery is here to stay – for now.

Types of Batteries

Types of Batteries Batteries come in different shapes and sizes depending on the purpose for which they were built. There are batteries for wrist watches, cars, mobile phones, laptops, electrical power inverters, etc.

Below are some of the types of batteries.

Wristwatch Batteries

When Eveready invented the first miniature batteries in the late 1950s, most of the world stopped winding watches. Also known as button cells because they are shaped like buttons, these batteries found wide application far beyond powering wristwatches from hearing aids to pocket calculators to real-time-clocks for PCs.

Although not as ubiquitous today as they were a few decades ago, they still power several portable electronic devices like automobile keyless transmitters.

TV Remote and Flashlight Batteries

These batteries are modern examples of dry cell batteries invented in 1888 by a German scientist, Carl Gassner. His was an improvement upon Leclanche’s wet cell battery and had the advantage of zero-spillage making it the desired battery for portable electronic devices like remotes and torch lights.

While they are not rechargeable they are quite affordable and available so much that it is difficult to imagine a time without batteries like these.

Mobile Phone Batteries

Mobile phone batteries were not invented until the early 1970s. At the time, few imagined that it will be one of the most ubiquitous devices in the history of humanity. Today, there are as much cell phones as there are people in the world and every cell phone is powered by a battery! No other type of battery has enjoyed innovation and improvement as the mobile phone battery.

But perhaps you should know that the first mobile phone batteries were bulky and would not fit in a pocket. They lasted only about 30 minutes and could take as much as 10 hours to recharge! Most of these batteries were Nickel Cadmium Batteries (NiCD) and were bulky, adding to the overall weight of the phone. To reduce bulkiness and toxicity especially from Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH) were invented. They were non-toxic and less bulky, offered more talk-time and took fewer hours to charge.

In 1987, Sony Corporation of Japan invented the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery – the battery that powers your phone and laptop today. These batteries are thinner, lighter, less toxic, recharge faster and can be made into different shapes and sizes. The next batteries for mobile phones will be Lithium Poly Ion Batteries.

Car Batteries (Lead Acid Batteries)

Car batteries also known as lead-acid batteries are an invention of Gaston Planté in 1859. Unlike the dry cell batteries, they are rechargeable and are capable of supplying large bursts of starting currents required for starting an automobile engine. For this reason, they are also known as Start-Lightning-Ignition (SLI) batteries. They are not designed for deep discharge and a full discharge effectively reduces the battery’s life span. For this reason, they are not ideal for power inverters.

The first prototypes required routine maintenance like replacing the battery’s acid and deoxidizing the lead electrodes by electrolysis. However, with the invention of the Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Battery, the user is saved from the maintenance required for older models of the car battery – though not 100% free. It is also known as Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery and sometimes called SMF (Sealed, Maintenance-Free) Battery, . The valve in this model serves to let out excess pressure due to the build-up of gases in the battery’s encasement.

There is also the Absorbed Gas Mat (AGM) Battery which is a specific type of SLA/VRLA where the electrolyte is absorbed between the plates which are made of sponge-like fine glass fiber mats.

Electric Batteries

The electric battery is our main focus in this article. An electronic battery is a device that consists of one or many more electrochemical cells with external connections. These devices are used to power electronic devices like mobile phones, flashlights, electric cars, wireless pads, and many more electronic devices. When a battery is in the state of supplying electrical current, the cathode is the positive terminal and the anode is the negative terminal.

The source that would supply the electrons that would flow through the electric circuit to the positive terminal is the terminal that is marked negative or the anode. When batteries are connected to an external electrical load, the redox reaction usually converts the high-energy reactants to lower-energy products. During this process, the free energy difference is delivered to the electrical circuit as electrical energy. History has it that a battery is a combination of multiple cells but due to advancement, batteries can be made with a single cell.

Types of Electric Batteries

There are two major types of electric batteries. These are the primary battery and the secondary battery. Note that there are also other types of batteries but they fall under these two main groups of electrical batteries.

Any of these batteries may come in different shapes and sizes. For instance, the battery for a wristwatch is far different from a laptop battery. There is a difference in size, capacity, shape, chemical components and build.

Primary Batteries

What is so different between primary batteries and secondary batteries. Better still, what are primary batteries? A primary battery can also be known as a single disposable battery. These kinds of batteries are used just once and then discarded. This is mainly because the electrode materials change irreversible during discharge.

A very common example of primary batteries is alkaline batteries that are normally used for flashlights and some other electronic devices. The basic fact about primary batteries is that it cannot be recharged, hence it can be used only once.

Secondary Battery

Another name for secondary batteries is a rechargeable battery. A secondary battery can be discharged and recharged many times using an electric current. A secondary battery is composed in such a way that the original composition of the electrodes can be restored using reverse current.

A very good example is the lead-acid battery and a lithium-ion battery. The lead-acid battery is usually used in electric cars while the lithium-ion battery is used in portable devices. Some of these portable devices include mobile phones, laptops and many more. Batteries are also used for standby or emergency power in certain places. For instance, inverters use lithium-ion batteries.

Battery or Gasoline

Batteries usually have lower specific energy than all common fuels like gasoline. The specific energy in this context refers to energy per unit mass.

Power inverters are basically used in electrical power applications where high voltage and current are usually present.

Other Types of Battery

There are several classifications of inverter batteries.

Tubular Battery: Tubular batteries high efficient types and they use active material ‘Lead oxide’ encapsulated in polyester tubes (hence the name) to prevent ‘Shadding’. The electrode geometry in tubular battery facilitates ‘Cyclic deep discharges’. Tubular batteries are the most popular and efficient inverter batteries. They have a complex design, great efficiency, longer operational life (8+ years) and low maintenance. Because of so many advantages they are costly.

Lead Acid Battery: Lead Acid battery uses Sulphuric acid as the electrolyte. Specific gravity of the electrolyte is an important parameter to determine the efficiency of the battery. Specific gravity of the electrolyte is the weight of Sulphuric acid-water mixture compared to an equal volume of water. Pure water has the specific gravity of 1. Lead acid batteries are the most common inverter batteries. These are rechargeable in nature and produce large amount of current. They are light in weight and most economical. They usually last for 3-4 years. But they require regular maintenance. The electrolyte level check and topping up has to be done regularly. They also release harmful gases during charging and discharging. So they must be installed at a well-ventilated place in home.

Maintenance Free Batteries: Maintenance free batteries are the sealed lead acid batteries that do not require electrolyte level checks and topping up. They are fit and forget type batteries are safer compared to normal lead acid batteries. But they are costly compared to normal lead acid batteries and have a shorter life.

Battery Capacity and Efficiency

The capacity of the battery is expressed in terms of Ampere hour (Ah). 1 Ah is equal to 3600 Coulombs. If the battery provides 1 Ampere current in 1 hour, its capacity is 1Ah.If it gives 1 Amp current for 100 hours, it is 100 Ah. The discharge rate of the battery depends on how much current is drained to drive the load. Typically a 100 Ah battery is rated to provide 5 Amps current for 20 hours.

The efficiency of the battery is different at different discharge rate. If the battery is not using for long periods, ‘Self discharge’ will takes place at the rate of 5 Amps per week. Therefore it is recommended to discharge and recharge the battery at least once in a week to keep it in top condition.

No inverter can function efficiently. The working of the inverter depends on many factors like conducted load, battery efficiency and maintenance. During operation, inverter will heat up and the transformer will dissipate heat. So some energy will be lost which reduces the efficiency. Proper charging of the battery and its efficiency to hold charge are two very important aspects. Input voltage from the AC lines should be close to 230 volts for proper charging of the battery. Fully charged battery will show 13.5 volts.

More on Battery Capacity and Efficiency

Inverter should switch on charging immediately when the battery voltage reduces to 12 volts. Charging current depends on the time taken to complete the charging process and also the ‘charge condition’ of the battery. If the battery is discharged to 80% of its efficiency, it will take 5 to 7 Ampere current for charging during the first few hours. Then the current reduces to 500 milli amperes or less. A fully charged battery will not take any current.

Most inverters have two mode Charging-Boost charging and Trickle Charging. During boost charging, around 5 to 7 ampere current will be utilized and during trickle charging only 25 to 50 milli ampere current will be utilized. Inverter batteries are available in various forms. The capacity of the battery is based on its Ah (Ampere hour). It is the amount of current a battery can give during 1 hour of charge/discharge cycle. In inverters, high capacity (100Ah, 150Ah) batteries are used to give sufficient backup time. 

The formula to calculate the Ah of battery is:
Total load in watts / Voltage of the battery x Backup hours required.
If 400 watts load is running on a 12 volt battery for 3 hours, then the capacity of the battery should not be less than 100 Ah.
Ah = 400 W / 12 V x 3 = 100 Ah.
To increase the backup time, use a 150 Ah battery or reduce the load from 400 W to 200 W or less.

Inverter Battery Bank

Basically, these are the set of batteries that the inverter uses for operation. The number of batteries depends on the capacity of the inverter with a minimum of one battery, but rising to as high as thirty or more. Usually battery requirements are provided by the manufacturer, with 12volts/200Ah batteries being used generally. Batteries with capacities less than these can also be used. Now while the capacity of the inverter determines how much load it can take, it is the capacity of the battery bank that will determine the backup time the inverter setup will deliver. In deciding the capacity of inverter to buy, the load factor needs to be considered as well as the required backup time.

It is also possible to extend the backup time by increasing the battery bank size – that is, adding more batteries than specified for the particular inverter capacity.
Generally, the size of the battery is determined by the wattage load and the projected runtime. Using a battery that is not strong enough can cause the inverter not to power up and may lead to discharging issues that could permanently damage the battery. The formula mentioned below can be used to calculate the battery size: Battery size = Inverter rating in watts ÷ input voltage x usage time (hrs). e.g. 300W ÷ 12V x 5 hours = 125 Amp 

Cost analysis of Inverter Batteries

For the inverter setup to function optimally, both the inverter and its battery bank must perform satisfactorily. That means getting not only a good inverter, but also a dependable set of inverter batteries. Batteries constitute a significant portion of the total inverter setup cost. From the smallest capacity of inverter up to the highest, the battery component of the cost is always higher than the inverter cost, if deep cycle batteries (recommended) are used.

If the batteries fail to meet expectations in terms of backup performance and durability, it represents a major loss, which is why you must choose batteries carefully. The capacity of the battery, type and brand determines its price but generally, a 200amp inverter battery sells for between N95,000 and N120, 000, 150amp for between N80, 000 and N90, 000, while 100amp sells for between N50, 000 and N75, 000 (adjust for inflation). 

Right Choice of Battery

In order to guide you in making the right choice when it comes to getting a battery for your inverter, there are a few things you need to consider.

1. Given the high cost of inverter batteries, it is imperative you purchase an inverter battery with a brand that has a track record of quality performance. This is a no-brainer. Just like inverters, all batteries are not the same and going for what appears cheap presently may cost more in the long term, if you have to replace batteries sooner than anticipated. When batteries fail, your inverter is basically useless until you invest in another set of batteries. You want to ensure your batteries last as long as possible.
2. Deep cycle batteries are the ideal batteries recommended for your inverter. The deep discharge technology is ideal for the extended power delivery required of the battery bank. Deep cycle batteries are built to withstand many cycles of deep discharge and to recharge each time power supply returns. Sealed, maintenance-free deep cycle batteries save you the inconvenience of battery checks. No-brainer again.
3. Wet cell or flooded batteries can also be used to power inverters. They often offer a cheaper option (really?), though with battery maintenance challenges. Checking and topping battery fluids is not an activity most people find easy or convenient, but is usually less demanding than you think. If it’s not your thing (and really why should it be), there’s no point buying batteries that are allowed to dry up and go to ruin. However, the tubular battery option provides an easily accessible gauge to check the electrolyte level in each battery cell.That reduces the work involved and provides a more attractive battery option, especially as the tubular batteries boast longer durability.

Branded Inverters Matter

Your inverter quality may substantially determine the fate of your batteries. The battery plates can be affected by the quality of voltage the battery receives. Life shortening damage to your batteries could arise from unregulated charging voltage coming from the inverter’s charging system. Good inverters protect against that. Cool huh?

The Sukam inverter, for example, boasts of a battery protection mechanism, based on its CCCV (Constant Current Constant Voltage) charging system. This ensures regulated voltage to protect the battery plates, extend battery life and provide optimal service delivery. It uses a Silicon controlled Rectifier Technology, believed to be the best for battery chargers, to achieve constant charging and minimum power consumption. Fuzzy Logic Control or FLC technology protects the batteries by controlling the charging current of the battery to an ideal level which extends battery life and attains reduced power consumption. 

Note also, that a quality inverter should also have a low battery/deep discharge protection to prevent low discharge that can damage the battery bank. Having your battery discharge to very low levels or essentially completely could easily ruin it. Manual monitoring of the battery level is possible, but is also an unnecessary chore. Unless that’s your thing. Which it shouldn’t.

More on Branded Inverter Matters

A good inverter will provide inbuilt protection. Sukam inverters (I know, I know but it’s the last time I promise) has an LCD display of inverter performance status. Part of the alternating display is the battery charge level information. So at a glance, you can see your battery level. That way, you don’t need to guess when it’s getting low. It also has an alarm if the battery gets low enough to register on the indicator, warning you to reduce your load (and extend use time on remaining battery charge) or even better, power down the system.

This message is clearly displayed on the LCD message panel, with the additional protection of being able to shut itself off, if you’re unaware of the battery alert. Or just don’t care. Once the battery goes down to a potentially harmful level, the inverter shuts itself off, though not instantly. It is preceded by an extended alarm, alerting you to the fact that the system is about to go off, giving you time to shut down all sensitive equipment.

Battery overcharge is also as damaging, meaning that the inverter you purchase should have an inbuilt over-charge protection. Battery overcharge corrodes battery plates, shortening the life span of the batteries. Since the battery system of your inverter is a substantial part of your inverter investment and you wouldn’t be amused if you had to change it regularly, it’s just as important to buy good quality batteries as it is to buy an inverter brand that has proven design mechanisms to protect the battery bank. 

Inverter Batteries: Life and Death

There are two types of inverter batteries that are commonly used; wet-cell and dry-cell. The average battery life has become shorter as energy requirements increase rapidly. Regular complaints include: “My battery won’t hold charge and is only 6 months old”. Only 30% of batteries sold today reach the 48-month mark. The lifespan of an inverter’s battery depends on its usage and maintenance.

However, most manufacturers give between one to two years warranty on batteries. Maintenance free batteries come in Flat plate collectors and are totally maintenance free. These batteries have a typical life of 4 years if properly charged and maintained. Tubular battery has better life span compared to flat plate one. Because in tubular battery instead of lead acid plates lead acid tubes are used that’s why they are called tubular batteries. For example, the Ezide Inva Tubular 500 battery’s average life span is 7–8 years compared with 3–4 years of flat plate battery.

One of the mistakes people make that easily damage an inverter battery is allowing power stored in it to drain completely before re-charging it (see next section). This kills the battery’s cells faster. Every battery has a reserve capacity. For example if a fully charged 12v battery has voltage of 13v, your inverter should not allow you to drain it beyond10.5. If it reaches below 10.5 then your inverter should show ‘battery low’ and start the charging. But the problem is that ordinary inverters in market don’t do this – they may drain your battery to a dangerous level of 9.5 or even 9v. If this happens repeatedly then you battery will not be able to hold 100% charge. One solution is to use an inverter that automatically disconnects the battery when it reached 10.5v.

Life and Death of Inverter Batteries

Change in temperature can harm battery life and its ability to hold a charge. Wet Lead Acid batteries contain electrolyte which expands in hot temperature. It means that the electrons are now freely moving and battery can achieve full charge with less boost charge voltage. But the problem is that many inverters can’t detect outside temperature. The inverter manufacturers set the boost charge voltage assuming the temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. However, sometimes the temperature can get up to 40 degrees. If the temperature increases and your inverter’s charger keeps charging the batteries as if it was 25 degrees then it will lead of over-charging of batteries. Studies have proved that continuous over charging of batteries can decrease battery’s life by 50%.

The opposite happens when the temperature is low. In cold temperature, battery’s chemical would achieve a near freezing state. It would need more boost charging voltage than it would if the temperature was 25 degrees. However, the inverter can’t detect outside temperature and doesn’t increase boost charging voltage. This results in undercharging of batteries. According to research, if batteries remain undercharged, they will lose the capacity to hold 100% charge.

Basically you will not get a good back-up even if the battery is fully charged. Therefore it is necessary to choose an inverter which has ability to detect outside temperature and regulate charging voltage based on that. This technology is called Automatic Temperature Compensation. Many chargers that are used to charge batteries in cars have this feature. If the temperature is too high then they decrease the boost charge voltage and increase it when the temperature is low.

Additional Info on Inverter Batteries Life and Death

Wet batteries or LA batteries are made up of sulphuric acid and water. If the battery remains undercharged during many charge cycles, it may cause build-up of sulphate on battery’s plates. In fact, 80% of all battery failure is related to sulphating. This build up occurs when the sulphur molecules in the electrolyte (battery acid) become so deeply discharged that they begin to coat the lead plates of the batteries. Before long the plates become so coated that a barrier is built up that will result in high internal impedance; the battery loses the capability to transfer power or take any charge.

The causes of sulphating are numerous – some causes include: 

1. Batteries stand too long discharged between charges, as little as 24 hours in hot weather and several days in cooler weather.
2. Battery storage: leaving a battery standing for long periods of time without some type of energy loss compensation.
3. Deep cycle batteries should not be used for any engine starting; this type of battery is not designed for this purpose and such activities will easily lead to damage.
4. Undercharging of a battery: to charge a battery, let’s say, 85% of its capacity will allow sulphating of the battery due to the 15% of battery chemistry not reactivated by the incomplete charging cycle. This is also applicable if the battery bank is charged by PV solar panels and a permanent load is drawn from the system. If incorrectly calculated and wrongly designed, the battery or battery set will sit in limbo and never reaches full charge. This will definitely result in relatively quick battery damage.
5. Heat of 35°C or more increases internal discharge. As temperatures increase, so does internal discharge.
6. Low electrolyte level in wet batteries, where internal plates exposed to air, will immediately start the process of sulphation.

How to Correctly Charge Your Battery

To take care of your battery, remember you must replace the energy you have used by re-charging the battery immediately; if you don’t, the battery sulphates and that affects performance and longevity. Batteries like to be charged in a certain way, especially when they have been deeply discharged. This type of charging is called 3-step regulated charging. Please note that only special SMART CHARGERS using computer technology can perform 3-step charging techniques.
Most batteries have the tendency to discharge themselves by 2 – 4% per month, if they are left disconnected and just standing there.

This can be worse if the battery is exposed to extreme temperatures. If you know, that you will not use the battery for a lengthy period of time, try to leave your battery or battery set connected permanently to a float charger. This will help to keep the battery 100% charged as you will replace continually the self-discharge. This also will help not to sulphate your internal plates. The energy used to do this is minimal.

More on How to Correctly Charge Inverter Batteries

The first step is bulk charging or constant current stage where up to ~ 80% of the battery energy capacity is replaced by the charger, the charger will charge at the maximum current and maintain this current until the battery voltage reaches the set absorption voltage. Please note, the maximum current and absorption voltage has to be adjusted according to the recommendations of the supplier. If the charger is not programmable, a charger with the correct specifications has to be selected to match the battery specifications.

When the battery voltage reaches the set absorption voltage the charger begins the 2nd step, the absorption charge step. This is where the voltage is held constant, at the absorption voltage, and the current (amps) decline until the battery is ~ 98% charged.

Next comes the 3rd step the Float Step, this is a regulated voltage of not normally not more than 13.6 volts and usually less than 1-2 amp of current. This, in time, will bring the battery to 100% charge or close to it. The float charge will not boil or heat up the batteries but will maintain the batteries at 100% charge and prevent cycling during long term inactivity. Some AGM + Gel batteries may require special settings or chargers.

Battery Not Charging

It is recommended that at least a 3 stage charger with the capacity to charge the batteries at a minimum current (amps) equal to 20% of the Ah rating of the battery be used. Which means if you have a 1 x 12V/100Ah battery, the charger should be at least be capable to charge at 14.4V/20 Amps.

1. Here’s a checklist you can run through.
2. Battery could be dead and it might be time to replace it.
3. The rectifiers could be burnt.. Contact a service center for repairs.
4. The fuses can be melted. Change them.
5. The connections could also be loose.

Check the terminals for corrosion. Keep them clean with a dry cloth.

Distilled Water and Batteries

Distilled water is nothing but impurity-free water in its purest form. It is so pure that there won’t be even ions in the water. Because of this, distilled water has many applications which include to replenish inverter batteries, car batteries, medical applications (like mixing it with medicine at the time of injection), in aquarium fish keeping, biological laboratories, aeroplane engines etc.

The process of extracting the distilled water is simple and looks natural – boil the water and capture the condensing steam in a clean container, but it is a costly process to ensure the purity. So in many places deionized water is used as an alternative to distilled water.
Normal water contains ions in the water. If normal drinking water is poured in the batteries, the ions clog at the electrodes, forming a layer and obstructing the chemical reactions which generate the current. If the drinking water has organic materials or dust particles, it will hamper the chemical reactions badly. So it is always suggested to use distilled water which is ion free and ensures smooth operation of the batteries.

How to Add Distilled Water to Inverter Batteries

To add water distilled water into the batteries:

1) Pull up the battery fill caps–if you can.
2) Add distilled water to any cells in which the level of electrolyte isn’t touching the bottom of the fill port. Use only distilled water. The minerals in tap water will eventually reduce a battery’s capacity.
3) Very carefully! If you splash, the acid (you’re adding water, but that’s acid in the batty, and it’s strong enough to eat holes in your clothes. It’s not water!) it can burn your eyes and cause permanent damage. Wear eye protection! Gloves and old clothes are a good idea also.
4) A well rinsed half litre drink bottle, half full, makes it easier to pour into the small holes. There are often rings cast into the plastic at the top of each cell. That’s the water level mark. Fill to slightly under the ring, and check it after a week.
5) Check the water in your battery at least once a year. Six months is better. Water evaporates from the cells, especially if the charging system is working a lot of the time. If the water gets below the cells it hurts or kills the battery.
6) Pour through a port. Usually, there is a port for each cell on the top of the battery.
7) Don’t overfill. Only cover the lead plates,
Some batteries are sealed and it is not possible to top up the water.
There is an inverter battery water level indicator on top of batteries. Check for the indicator. There are multiple indicators and if any of the indicator water levels drop below the threshold limits you need to replenish the water in that container. It is always good to have a smartphone reminder at a regular interval of time and keep checking it.

Inverters In The Bedroom?

Now while the inverter does give off some electromagnetic radiation, so do fluorescent tubes, televisions, toasters, electric alarm clocks…..you get the point.

If you’re hypersensitive to radiation, it’s probably not a good idea to sleep in the same room with it so you can either switch it off at night or move it to another room. The main radiation you should watch out for is mechanical radiation a.k.a. sound.

Fluid Leaking From The Battery

How are the fluid levels in each cell? Open up the caps and check fluid level. If it is indeed the electrolyte that’s leaking, you will have at least one cell deteriorating. You can top up fluid and use it for a while longer, maybe a few months. Also what type of battery is that?

Is that an SMF (sealed maintenance free) battery or a semi SMF or the normal type? In semi SMF and normal batteries, you will get the electrolyte leak once the battery reaches the end of its life. In these batteries, there will be a hole or two on each of the caps to let this happen as otherwise the battery may burst. So this leakage is normal if the battery is 4 years old. The normal life of an OE battery is about 3 to 4 years.
Once the leak starts, clean the top and sides of the battery once a week as otherwise the metal seat and side clamps of the battery will be eaten by the acid. And dispose of the cleaning rag safely as it will corrode whatever it comes in contact with. But most of all, be ready for replacement.
So there it is. All you need to know to make your inverter battery your best friend. Enjoy

Runtime and Configuration of Inverter Batteries

The runtime of an inverter battery is usually dependent on the battery power and the amount of power that is being drawn from the inverter at the given time. The more the amount of equipment’s using the inverter battery, the more the runtime would decrease. In order for you to increase the runtime of the power inverter, more batteries can be added. Now, in this article, I would be showing you the best possible inverter battery to buy. Inverter batteries can be classified in different types. For instance, an inverter battery can be classified according to price, power supply, type of maintenance, components and so many others.

When attempting to add more batteries to an inverter to increase the un time, it can be configured in two different ways. These two ways are series configuration and parallel configuration. These configurations are used for special applications. For instance, if the goal of increasing the battery is to increase the overall output, then series configuration should be used. In a series configuration, if one battery dies off, the other batteries would not be able to supply the necessary power.

Inverter Battery Series Configuration

If you studied physics, you would know more about parallel and series configuration. In a series configuration, the batteries are connected in a chain-like manner.

In a series configuration, all the batteries work together to ensure that the necessary power is supplied. The aim of series configuration in this scenario is to increase the current or power the battery supplies.

Inverter Battery Parallel Configuration

The aim of using parallel configuration in the connection of different inverter batteries is to increase the run time of the inverter. The goal here is to increase the capacity of the inverter. Connecting inverter batteries in parallel configuration increases the Ah (ampere-power) rating of the set of batteries.

In this kind of configuration, if one battery is discharged, the other would be discharged through it. This can really lead to the rapid discharge of all batteries in the pack. It could even lead to an over-current and possible fire. Anyways, this can be avoided by connecting large parallel batteries through intelligent monitoring with automatic switching or diodes to isolate the under-voltage battery from the others.

Deep Cycle Battery and Starter Battery

Inverter batteries are usually deep cycle batteries. Unlike starter batteries, it is designed to discharge most of its capacity. Starter batteries can also be known as car batteries. Starter battery requires charging once it finishes doing its job.

If a starter battery is deeply discharged, it would die much faster than a deep cycle battery. Starter batteries are designed to deliver high amounts of current for a short period of time. A deep cycle battery can discharge a huge portion of itself and still remain charged.

Types of Inverter Battery by Build

There are two main types of inverter batteries when classifying inverter batteries in this category. These are the sealed-maintenance-free battery or maintenance-free battery and the tubular battery.

Of course, there is a slight difference between these two batteries. The maintenance-free battery is the type you just connect and forget it even existed. This battery can be used safely indoors as it does not emit harmful gases.

Battery Capacity and Discharge

Most people don’t know this but batteries usually have capacities. Now, a battery capacity can be defined as the amount of electric charge that a battery can deliver at the rated voltage. The more the electrode material that is contained in the battery’s cell, the more capacity the battery would have. A small cell usually has a lesser capacity than a larger cell with the same chemical build despite the fact that they develop the same open-circuit voltage.

Battery capacity is usually measured in units known as A•h (amp-hour). For instance, a battery that is rated at 100A•h can supply 5A for twenty hours at room temperature. The fraction of stored charge that a battery can deliver depends on a series of factors. Some of these factors include battery chemistry, the required terminal voltage, the rate at which charge is delivered, the ambient temperature, the storage period, and a lot of other factors.

Batteries that are stored for a long period of time or those that are discharged at a small fraction of the capacity, lose capacity. This is due to the presence of general irreversible side reactions that usually consume charge carriers without producing any current. This term is known as internal self-discharge. When batteries are also recharged, additional side reactions may occur thereby reducing the capacity for subsequent discharges. In essence, all capacity can be lost and the battery would stop producing power. Internal energy losses and limitations based on the rate that ions pass through the electrolyte cause battery efficiency varies.

Battery C Rate

What is a battery C rate? A battery C rate can be defined as the measure of the rate at which a battery is being charged or discharged. Better still, it is defined as the current through the battery and then divided by the theoretically current draw at which a battery would deliver nominal rated capacity in an hour a battery c rate is calculated in the unit h^-1. C rate is used in some batteries to signify the maximum current that a battery can safely deliver when on a circuit.

The standard for rechargeable batteries usually rates the capacity over 4 hours, 8 hours or longer discharge time. Battery types that are intended for special purposes like in a computer uninterrupted power supply can be rated by the manufacturers for discharge periods of less than an hour. This is because of the internal resistance loss and the chemical processes that occur inside the cells. Batteries rarely deliver nameplate rated capacity in an hour.

Battery life

A battery life can also be known as battery lifetime. The term battery lifetime can mean two things for rechargeable batteries but means only one thing for non-rechargeable batteries.  For rechargeable batteries, it can be the length of time that a device can run on a fully charged battery or the number of discharge/charge cycles that a battery can take before the cells fail to function satisfactorily.

For non-rechargeable batteries, these two terms are equal considering the fact that the battery can only last one lifetime or cycle. Another term “shelf life” is used to describe just how long the battery would retain its performance between its manufacturers and use. The available capacity for all batteries drops with decreasing temperature.

Lithium-ion  and Advanced Batteries

New battery technologies with new advantages are having high presence in the market. Context family is able to interface with all of them through different pre-configured types.

Lead Acid and Other Conventional Batteries

• Higher power to energy and overload (discharge).
• Lower capex.
• No BMS interface with inverter required.
• Low charge rate.
• Lower cycle life (1500 cycles @ 60%DoD).
• Higher total cost of ownership.
• Higher maintenance.
• Lower energy density.
• Lower round trip efficiency (80%).

Li-ion Batteries

• Higher cycle life (3000 cycles @90%DoD).
• Lower total cost of ownership.
• Higher energy density.
• Higher round trip efficiency (95%).
• Better utilization and depth of discharge.
• Higher charge rate.
• Requires BMS to ensure safe operation of the batteries.
• Higher capex.
• Lower power to energy ratio and limited overload (discharge).

Best Batteries for Inverter

By inverters, we mean power inverters. That is, inverters that are used for alternative power generation, independent of the national/conventional grid. It is the era of renewable energy and the world is moving from fossil fuels to cleaner and eco-friendly sources. Generally, electrical power generated from sources other than the conventional electrical grids are DC (Direct Current) but most electrical appliances are designed to be powered by AC (Alternating Current). Therefore, in order for electrical power generated from renewable sources to power our regular appliances, they must first be converted from DC to AC. This is the purpose of the inverter – to convert DC to AC.

There are several renewable sources of DC power but these must be stored and fed into the power inverter (to be converted into AC) and drawn upon on need-basis. No other device has the capability for the storage and retrieval of electrical energy other than batteries, thus they are indispensable components in the inverter system.

Demand for renewable energy is rising and is driving innovation in battery specifications. Today, batteries for power inverter systems (like the deep-cycle batteries) bear a striking physical resemblance to car (starter) batteries. However, unlike car batteries power inverter batteries are primarily designed for deep-discharge with little maintenance. This renders the deep-cycle battery as the most suitable battery for inverter systems.

How to maintain inverter batteries

Maintaining an Inverter Battery can be a really difficult thing, most especially when you have no idea what you are going to do. This is one of the reasons I took out my personal time to write about some of the tips I use in maintaining my inverter batteries. If the battery gets bad on time, you only end up spending extra cash. Here are the tips I personally use to make sure my inverter batteries last longer before and after installation.

Inverter Battery is the core and key component of inverters. Without them, the inverter may as well be useless. With that being said it is very essential to know how your inverter batteries should be taken care of. You could also find some of these tips useful even if you are using a low maintenance battery.

• Always use a well-ventilated area for inverter installation. The inverter battery gets heated during charging and operation. An airy place reduces the heating from the battery. It also reduces the frequent water topping requirement.
• After installation uses the battery on a daily basis. If the facility cut doesn’t occur, discharge the battery completely once monthly then recharge it.
• Check the water level of the battery every two months. make sure that the water level is maintained between the utmost and minimum water limit. Always top up the battery with water. don’t use water or rainwater because it contains excess minerals and impurities which affect the life and performance of the battery.
• Always keep the surface and sides of the battery clean and mud-free. Use cotton to wash these surfaces.

More Tips in Maintaining Inverter Batteries

Here are some more tips to maintain inverter batteries.

• Keep the battery terminals corrosion-free and rust-free. If the terminals get corroded pour predicament + bicarbonate of soda solution on the corrosive area or use a toothbrush for cleaning. This may remove the corrosion. Once the terminals become corrosion-free, apply petrolatum or Vaseline on to the terminals, nuts and bolts to avoid future corrosion. Rusting and corrosion are very bad for battery performance. Rusting in terminals reduces the present flow to and from the battery. This restricted flow of current leads to slow battery charging which ultimately reduces battery life.
• Be careful that the vents around the battery are dust-free and open. Blocked vents cause hydrogen gas accumulation, which may cause bursting of the battery.
• From a safety point of view, install the inverter at safe places in your home which is out of the reach of youngsters or a less used area. But at an equivalent time confirm that it’s airy and properly ventilated.
• Replace your battery if it’s dead or damaged. Regular inspection will keep you updated on your inverter and battery conditions.

These are some useful tips you can use in maintaining your Inverter Battery. Keep reading to learn more on Inverter Battery.

What to Look out for when buying inverters and batteries

As an engineer or someone that knows what he or she is doing, you don’t just wake up one morning and decide you are going to buy an inverter or an inverter battery. There are a few factors that surround the type of inverter or battery you should get. You should know that not all inverter batteries are compatible with just any inverter.

With that being said, here are a few factors that you should consider before buying inverter or Inverter Battery.

• Inverters output waveform.
• Inverters output power
• Inverter output voltage.
• Inverter output power.

Now, let’s look at these factors individually.

Inverters Output Waveform

An inverter can produce a square wave, pulsed sine wave, modified sine wave, pulse width modulated wave (PWM) or wave counting on circuit design. Common varieties of inverters produce square waves or quasi-square waves. One measure of the purity of a sine wave is that the total harmonic distortion (THD). A 50% duty cycle square wave is similar to a wave with 48% THD. Technical standards for commercial power distribution grids require THD less than 3% within the waveform at the customer’s point of connection.

IEEE Standard 519 recommends but THD less than 5% for systems connecting to an influence grid. There are two basic designs for producing household plug-in voltage from a lower-voltage DC source, the very first which uses a switching boost converter to supply a higher-voltage DC then converts to AC. The second method converts DC to AC at battery level and uses a line-frequency transformer to make the output voltage.

Inverters Output Power

The AC output frequency of any power inverter device is typically constant as standard power cable frequency, 50 or 60 hertz. The exception is in designs for motor driving, where a variable frequency leads to a variable speed control.

Also, if the output of the circuit or device is to be further conditioned (for example stepped up) then the frequency could also be much higher for a permanent transformer efficiency.

Inverters Output voltage

The alternating current output voltage of a power inverter is usually regulated to be an equivalent because the grid line voltage, typically 120 or 240 VACS at the distribution level, even when there are changes within the load that the inverter is driving.

This enables the inverter to power numerous devices designed for normal line power. Some inverters also allow continuous or selectable variable output voltages.

Inverters Output power Rating

An inverter usually has an overall power rating that is expressed in watts or kilowatts. This describes the amount of power which will be available to the device the inverter is driving and, indirectly, the amount of power that will be needed from the direct current source. Smaller popular consumer and commercial devices designed to mimic line power usually range from a hundred and fifty to three thousand watts.

Not all inverter applications are totally or primarily concerned with the delivery of power; in some cases, the frequency and or waveform properties are employed by the follow-on circuit or device.

Top 10 Inverter Battery Manufacturer

When it comes to Lithium-ion batteries, you probably expect fast-changing, energy efficiency and also zero maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries are very valuable and highly sought for.

That is why in my list today, I will be listing the top manufacturers of these batteries. Here’s my list; Note; some of them are creators of Inverter Battery.

Panasonic

Panasonic provides reliable and dependable power for any place and any time. The batteries are ideal for high and medium drain appliances.

Batteries from this manufacturer deliver powerful performance across a wide range of devices.

Toshiba

Toshiba is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of zinc, alkaline, manganese and lithium batteries.

Their batteries are designed and developed with quite impressive standards, that ensures high performance and great reliability.

Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI is a world-leading advanced energy solutions provider with proven expertise in mass production of high-quality lithium-ion batteries.

Batteries from this manifacturer can be trusted.

Tesla

With the mention of Tesla, my list of the top batteries manufacturers will be incomplete. Powerwall and Powerpack are rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary energy storage products that are manufactured by Tesla.

You can trust their batteries to meet all your home’s energy needs.

LG Chem

LG Chem provides the most optimal energy solution for the users using its state of the art energy system with a long lifespan and top notch quality.

Batteries from this manufacturer can be trusted.

A123 Systems

A123 Systems with their expertise and experience in low voltage production makes them the leader in starter batteries and 48V systems.

With the company’s fully integrated battery system, it is sure to meet your performance requirements for power, safety, energy and life. As well as the weight, size and cost. With A123 Systems, you can have the best.

eCobalt Solutions

eCobalt Solutions are known for providing ethically produced and environmental sound battery grade essential for the rapid growth of rechargeable batteries.

Battries from this manufacturer can be trusted.

BYD

BYD is actually one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rechargeable batteries. From energy generation and storage to its applications, BYD is dedicated to providing zero emission energy solutions.

They provide great designs allowing flexible battery storing sizing, easy installation, great extensive throughout the lifespan and an incorruptible maintenance.

Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of batteries.

The company’s full range of lead-acid and lithium-ion battery technology, powers nearly every type of vehicle including traditional, start-stop, micro-hybrid, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Contemporary Amperex Technology

This is a Chinese battery manufacturer that is specialized in producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. As well as battery management systems.

Batteries from this manufacturer can be trusted.

The Future is Battery

As renewable energy continues its march to overthrow fossil fuels, batteries will define the future. Today, automobiles are shifting from gasoline and diesel-powered engines to battery-powered ones. Necessity will drive innovation and batteries will only become more efficient. Already, Lithium Poly Ion Batteries are looking to replace regular Li-ion batteries in Smartphones.

According to Statista, there were some 1.2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in use globally in 2016 up from 0.25 million in 2012. In light of increasing worldwide acceptance of electric transmission vehicles, a growing number of automakers are intending to tap into the market for electric vehicles (EVs). California-based Tesla Motors was among the first carmakers to assemble electric vehicles exclusively.

In July 2014, Tesla and Panasonic paved the way for the construction and operation of the world’s largest battery factory in the United States! In the first quarter of 2017, Tesla delivered about 25,000 vehicles worldwide. The Model S Tesla (fully battery-powered)