MERCURY DIRECT

Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life.

How to keep your batteries in good shape and triple the years they last. At Mercury Direct, we get asked a lot about how long inverter batteries will last. The number of years a solar Inverter battery lasts is to a large extent determined by how well it is treated.

Solar Inverter batteries usually do not die naturally, but from misuse many years before their expiration date. Welcome to our guide on 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life.' Here, we will delve into practical tips to prolong your inverter battery's lifespan.

1. Depth of Discharge

A battery’s depth of discharge (DoD) refers to how deeply it has been discharged. To ensure that your battery lasts as long as possible, make sure you don't over-discharge it. If you fully discharge a battery only once, you can cause irreversible damage, and if you discharge it 100% frequently, you will shorten its lifespan. Thus, without proper care, your inverter battery may not benefit from the 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' and may last only one or two years

A battery's cycle life is the number of charges and discharges that it can complete before its performance starts to decline. A battery's cycle life is affected by how deeply it is discharged. Although Tall Tubular and AGM deep cycle batteries are designed for deep discharge, they are not meant to be fully discharged.

If you only discharge your Tall Tubular and AGM deep cycle batteries to 50% before recharging them, you will significantly extend their lifespan. However, in countries like Nigeria, where the grid's power is neither predictable nor reliable. Many people discharge their inverter batteries up to 80% out of necessity.

While regularly discharging a Tall Tubular or AGM deep cycle battery beyond 80% will significantly shorten its life. A lithium battery, on the other hand, can be depleted to 90% of its total capacity (10% SOC) without any repercussions.

The cost of a lithium battery is high, however, making AGM and Tall Tubular the options that give the highest return on investment. Regardless of the type of battery, you are using. When you hear your power inverter's low battery alarm, turn it off. Do not allow your power inverter to shut off on its own.

When an AGM battery (at an average temperature of 25 °C) reaches 80% depth of discharge, the battery provides approximately 400 cycles or just over 1.5 years (if cycled daily), and with 30% depth of discharge, the battery offers 1200 cycles.

2. Perform Regular Battery Cycles

Your 12v inverter battery goes through cycles when you use it. You have completed a cycle when you have used 100 per cent of the battery's capacity. Recharging your battery after discharging it to 50% is not considered a full cycle. Repeating the same action, however, counts as one cycle

Battery cycles can have a major impact on battery life. It is harmful to the battery's longevity to keep it fully charged for extended periods without using it.

A fully depleted battery can also reduce its ability to hold a charge if you leave it sitting for a long time without charging. Performing regular battery cycles is a crucial part of the 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide. As part of our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide, we emphasize the importance of using a high-quality inverter battery charger..

3. Use a High Quality Battery Charger

Incorrect charging is a major cause of battery failure. In the market, there are many batteries with different chemistry, as well as guidelines on how they should be handled and charged.

It can be fatal to use a charger not designed for your battery size and chemistry. As part of our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide, we emphasize the importance of using a high-quality inverter battery charger. Whenever possible, use an inverter or charger from the same manufacturer as the batteries

While some chargers damage batteries as they charge them, others heal and repair them as they charge. There is a significant difference between a high-quality battery charger and a low-cost battery charger that, if used incorrectly, might destroy your battery.

The high-quality chargers are often three-stage and offer a variety of safety measures, such as not allowing electricity to flow until the battery is properly attached. They may also be fan-cooled and have features such as automated temperature adjustment, short circuit protection, and other similar functions.

The low-cost battery charger lacks the above-mentioned safety measures and does not automatically reduce the voltage after the bulk charge has been completed.

If this type of charger is left unattended, it is possible to do substantial harm to your battery, possibly to the point of severe failure. Before charging your deep cycle batteries, make sure you've read the instructions and have taken all necessary measures. By measuring the voltage on a regular basis, you may obtain a decent indication of your batteries' state of charge

4. Use a Battery Equalizer

When two or more batteries are connected in series, installing a battery equalizer system is an inexpensive way to extend the life of your batteries. Battery equalizers are easy to install and maintain, so they are an excellent investment for batteries.

In order to equalize the voltage of the battery system, a battery equalizer system transfers energy between connected batteries. The system can compensate for both batteries when there is a voltage difference of more than 10 mV

AGM, Tubular and Lithium batteries can all benefit from battery equalizers because they can maintain a state of equilibrium for extended periods of time.

You should not use a battery equalizer with deep-cycle GEL batteries. Equilibrating GEL batteries will cause permanent damage.

5. Temperature

Temperature greatly affects the life of a battery. Temperature swings affect all batteries, no matter what type they are, tall tubular, AGM, GEL or lithium battery. Generally, deep cycle batteries should be charged and maintained between 50-95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10-35 degrees Celsius.

In order to maintain its life, a battery should not be exposed to extreme temperatures - hot or cold -. Managing temperature is a key aspect of the 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide, as extreme temperatures can significantly reduce battery efficiency.

6. Correctly Size Battery Bank

According to Peukert's law, when using lead-acid deep cycle batteries the faster the rate of discharge, the lower the capacity of the battery. A battery bank should be correctly sized for the load it is intended to carry. Using the incorrect size battery bank will result in performance problems.

Sulphation can result from draining your battery too quickly. Lead sulphate crystallizes on the cathode of a lead-acid battery, diminishing the conductive surface area and limiting the amount of current available, thereby depriving the battery of maximum power. Deposition of lead sulphate crystals is the main cause of lead-acid battery degradation and early death

7. Use energy-saving devices

Utilize energy-saving technologies to reduce the power you draw from your inverter batteries, as recommended in our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide. Switching to energy-efficient options can have a significant impact on the longevity of your inverter battery. For instance, a conventional incandescent bulb uses 75 per cent more energy than a CFL or LED bulb. Making the switch to energy-efficient lighting not only reduces your electricity bill but also minimizes the load on your inverter, thereby extending its battery life.

Similarly, when it comes to ceiling fans, choosing one with superior copper wire can make a difference. Poor copper winding in a ceiling fan increases electrical resistance, which in turn increases the load on your inverter system. By opting for a ceiling fan with high-quality copper winding, you can reduce energy consumption and extend the life of your inverter battery, aligning with the principles of our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide.

By implementing these energy-saving technologies, you are taking practical steps to adhere to the guidelines set forth in our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide, ensuring that your inverter battery lasts longer and performs better.

8. Keep batteries clean and corrosion free.

Make sure your battery terminals are free of corrosion and rust which lowers the performance of your battery and reduces the current flow. As a result, battery life is lessened and backup times are shorter.

A solution of hot water and baking soda can be poured on the terminals of your battery to prevent rusting, and Vaseline or petroleum jelly applied to prevent further corrosion.

9. Do not mix batteries of different age, type or size

For optimal performance and lifespan. Do not mix batteries of different ages, types or sizes. For example you should not mix flooded and sealed lead acid batteries because the charge profiles of both of these are slightly different.

Each battery contributes to the total voltage when batteries are connected in series. This voltage drops when one eventually fails, perhaps because of sulfation. You should change the entire battery bank, with new batteries. Individual batteries shouldn't be replaced, since they would be out of balance with the older ones.

A new battery has a low resistance, which increases as it ages. Joule’s law states that thermal energy gain accompanies loss of electrical energy. In this way, when old and new batteries are mixed, too much energy passes through an abnormally high resistance. The new batteries run out sooner, while the old batteries overheat. We waste good money when we mix old and new.

10. Top Up Battery With Distilled Water

Wet cell batteries need to be topped up regularly with Distilled water. You should never fill a battery with normal water. It will damage it and if you don't top up at the appropriate time and with the proper amount, your battery's performance and lifespan will suffer.

Distilled water should always be added after the battery has been completely charged. There should be enough water to cover the plates before charging. The water level should be above the plates if the battery has been depleted (partially or totally).

After a complete charge, keep the water level at the proper level to avoid having to worry about the water level in a different state of charge. We recommend checking batteries once a month until you get a sense of how often they need to be topped up.

Safety Precautions:
Always use insulated tools when working on batteries.
Remove all rings, watches, bracelets, and other metal jewellery.
Wear protective clothing at all times.
Safeguard your eyes by wearing protective eyewear.
When handling batteries, do not smoke or expose a naked flame.
Make sure the places where batteries are stored or charged are adequately ventilated.
If acid is spilled on skin or clothing, wash with plenty of clean water
If acid comes into contact with eyes - wash with plenty of clean water and seek immediate medical attention.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this guide on 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' offers you practical tips to significantly extend the life and performance of your inverter battery. It is important to keep in mind when buying a inverter battery for home or office, that a quality battery brand together with a warranty should be your main concerns, and not inverter battery prices.

That being said even the best Inverter battery in the world won't last very long. If you don't take good care of it. Ultimately, the key to extending the life of your deep cycle inverter battery is to start with the best battery inverter combination and continually perform basic maintenance. The components listed above are clear and concise methods of prolonging the life of your battery, saving you time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions: Extend Inverter Battery Life

1. How can I extend the life of my inverter battery?

To extend the life of your inverter battery, you can follow these steps:

Regularly check the water level and top up the battery with distilled water if necessary. This helps maintain the electrolyte levels and prevents corrosion.
Disconnect electronic devices when not in use to minimize power consumption.
Use tap water only if distilled water is unavailable, but make sure it is free from impurities.
Ensure a clean and stable power supply to the battery.

2. What are the common reasons behind a shorter battery life?

Several factors can contribute to a shorter inverter battery life:

Using the inverter beyond its specified power capacity
Inadequate battery maintenance
Ignored signs of a dying battery, such as reduced backup time
Overcharging or undercharging the battery
Using electronic devices that draw more power than the inverter can handle

3. How often should I check the water level in my inverter battery?

As recommended in our 'Inverter Battery 10 simple ways to extend life' guide, it's crucial to check the water level of your inverter battery every 2-3 months. Regular maintenance helps ensure optimal performance and longevity.

4. Are there any specific precautions for battery terminals?

Yes, taking care of the battery terminals is crucial for extending the inverter battery life. Keep the battery terminals clean and free from corrosion. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean them. Additionally, ensure proper tightening to avoid loose connections.

5. How do sealed batteries differ from other battery types?

Sealed batteries are maintenance-free, meaning they don't require checking or topping up the water levels. They are designed to be completely sealed and provide hassle-free operation. However, they still require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and a longer lifespan.

6. Can a fully charged battery significantly increase the life of my inverter?

Absolutely! Keeping your inverter battery fully charged at all times can greatly enhance its lifespan. Ensure that the battery is always properly charged to maximize its performance and backup time.