BATTERY CARE - Tips, Tricks & Safety Precautions

LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT LEAD ACID BATTERIES:

Lead acid batteries are the oldest, most dependable, and most widely used type of rechargeable battery in the world.
Lead Acid Batteries have three life phases – formatting, peak, and decline.
1. Formatting is when the battery is new and needs to be used gently.
2. Peak is the ideal performance phase, which we seek to maintain for as long as possible.
3. Decline is a slow process, but one that gradually ends in the termination of the battery.
Batteries in decline can still be used for quite a while, but must be watched, carefully monitored to avoid sudden breakdown.

CAR BATTERY CARE

Tip 1: Do a monthly inspection of the battery terminals to make sure they are clean and corrosion free:

One of the first problem most people have with their car battery is the build-up of corrosion around the terminals. Corrosion destroys the connection between the battery and the vehicle cable and many batteries are replaced due to too much corrosive build up. But often times, this can be easily treated by simply pouring a small amount of Cola or a DIY anti-corrosion paste (one part water to three parts baking soda) over the corroded areas.

The acid in the Cola or the alkaline properties in the DIY anti-corrosion paste will eat the corrosion away. Once the corrosion is gone, use a clean damp rag or sponge to clean up the remaining residue and moisture. Be sure to let it dry, then rub some petroleum jelly on the terminals to prevent future corrosion.

Tip 2: Do not operate any car accessories (radio, lights, or electronics) before turning on the car ignition and driving the car:


When the car is on, the car alternator generates electricity and charges the car battery after the battery has a voltage drop. But if the car is not on, and you are using the car's electronics, you are just relying on the car battery to power those electronics. This is detrimental to the car battery because car batteries are not meant for this type of use. Instead, car batteries are meant to provide a sudden burst of power for ignition. They're not made to provide prolonged power for electronics and other devices (that's what a deep cycle lead acid battery would be for).

Using your car battery as a battery that powers electronics, instead of a battery that just gives you a burst of power for ignition, will damage the battery and greatly shorten it's lifespan if it's repeatedly used in this fashion. So avoid operating any car accessories or electronics while the car is off.

Tip 3: Make sure the car battery is secure and has good battery cables:

The battery has to be secured at all times. If a battery is jostling around, it will be impaired and could short circuit. This will ruin the battery – and even cause damage to your car while creating a safety risk. The same could happen if you have bad battery cables (or they’re not connected properly). So check your cables and make sure they have a secure connection as well.

Tip 4: Insulate your car battery from extreme changes in temperature:

Protecting your car battery from large changes in temperature will help maximize the battery's lifespan. To do this you can use a car battery insulation kit. These protective battery sleeves are usually made of plastic or an acid resistant, thermal resistant material. These car battery insulation kits will insulate your battery and protect it while still allowing proper ventilation.

Tip 5: Fully charge your car battery at least once a week (use a car battery charger or interchange batteries if you have):

Your car battery drains even when the car is off. This happens because current is drawn from the battery by car accessories (radio, lights, etc.) or the car computers. This is why people come home from long vacations and find their car battery dead. To prevent this, you can use either a car battery charger or a solar battery charger.

Car battery chargers (regular or solar) will maintain the optimum charge level of your car battery when the car is not in use. These chargers are very useful …especially if you go on a trip or leave your car unused for a while. They’re also useful if you go on a lot of short car trips (like to work and back each day) and never give your battery a chance to fully recharge. Repeatedly doing this will dramatically shorten your battery’s life – unless you use a car battery charger or interchange batteries, leaving one at home to fully charge.

The most important thing to remember with this tip is …make sure you fully charge your car battery at least once a week because it will greatly increase the life of your battery. Do this with a charger, interchanging batteries …or just going on a car ride long enough to recharge the battery.

Tip 6: Check your car battery's water level:

Most car batteries indicate if there is a need for water through Min. water level mark line printed/marked on the battery. So check the car battery water level indicator regularly and if water is needed, refill the battery with distilled water (and that's important, ONLY use distilled water to refill your car battery).

Tip 7: Do NOT overcharge your car battery:

Never overcharge your car battery. Lead-acid batteries release oxygen and hydrogen gases when they're overcharged.
This causes two problems:

1. It can be explosive.
2. It also breaks down the composition of the water in the battery - which shortens its lifespan.

Tip 8: Check your car's alternator:

If you're doing everything we've recommended in this article but your car batteries are still dying early, you'll want to check your car's alternator (or get a mechanic to check it). If your alternator is bad, it will results in ineffective recharging of your battery and dramatically shorten your battery's lifespan.

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

1. Before disconnecting your car battery read the car owner's manual first. Most commonly (if not stated otherwise in the owner's manual) the negative cable is to be disconnected first and then the positive cable. When you re-connect the battery, connect the positive cable first and then the negative cable.

If done in the wrong order it may affect your car's fuses and other electronics. Also, remove your car keys from the ignition before working on the battery. Some cars are more sensitive to this procedure than others - like German Luxury Cars (Mercedes Benz and BMW type cars) - so use extra caution.

2. If you are charging a battery do it in a well ventilated area. If you are handling a car battery that is installed you should open the hood of the car for a few minutes to allow for ventilation first.

BATTERY CARE in WINTER:

Starting your car in the cold may cause it to suffer from hard starting and excessive cranking which has a huge effect on the motor and electrical system. The best way to avoid your car not starting in the morning is to:

1. Keep your car in the garage:
This will protect it from the cold. Starting will be a lot easier, putting less strain on the battery.

2. Make sure the battery is not loose:
Vibration can cause damage to battery case and plates. Ensure terminals are cleaned regularly during every major service.

3. Ensure your battery water level is always topped up:
If you have a 'Standard' or 'Low Maintenance' battery, you should remove the filter caps and check the water level every month. Make sure it is topped up with distilled water to just above the plates. Mop up any spillage.

4. Listen for early warning sounds:
One of the most common signs of a weak battery is slow cranking when you start the car. If this happens contact a battery specialist.

5. Check the age of your battery:
Older car batteries are less likely to start your car in the winter. If your battery is more than three years old it may need replacement.

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR CAR BATTERY:

Many times the first hint of a battery problem shows up during the starting process.

If the car battery is too weak to provide a sufficient voltage to the starter, you'll hear a distinctive clicking sound and the engine won't crank over. This clicking indicates that the battery is not fully charged. Battery Service can perform a battery test to determine if the battery needs to be replaced. Sometimes a faulty alternator could be the culprit, but other times the test will reveal a weak battery not capable of holding a charge. This means the battery must be replaced.

ABOUT BACK-UP APPLICATION BATTERIES:

Tubular Battery:

Battery maintenance is very important when we use Home inverters. Generally Tubular batteries are recommended due to its high efficiency and life span. Tubular batteries are recommended to backup UPS and Inverters where environmental conditions are tough and ambient temperatures are common. These are capable of long hours of backup and the life period is around five to six years.

Tubular batteries are high efficient types and they use active material 'Lead Oxide' encapsulated in tubes (hence the name) to prevent 'Shadding'. The electrode geometry in tubular battery facilitates 'Cyclic Deep Discharges'.

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.

Battery Capacity and Efficiency:

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 (approximately) 5 Amps per week. Therefore it is recommended to discharge and recharge the battery at least once in a week to keep it in fine condition.

Power loss in Inverter and Current consumption during charging:

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 around 13.5 volts. 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.

What type of battery is most efficient?

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, 200Ah) 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 Hr = 100 Ah.

To increase the backup time, use 150 Ah battery or reduce the load from 400 W to 200 W or less.

Tips for Back-Up Application Battery Maintenance:

1. Always use a well ventilated area for inverter installation. The inverter battery gets heated up during charging and operation. An airy place reduces the heating up of the battery. It also reduces the frequent water topping requirement.

2. After installation use battery on a regular basis. If the power cut does not occur, discharge the battery completely once every month and then recharge it.

3. Check the water level of battery every two months. Ensure that the water level is maintained between the maximum and minimum water limit. Always top up the battery with distilled water. Do not use tap water or rain water as it contains excess minerals and impurities which affect the life and performance of the battery.

4. Always keep the surface and sides of battery clean and dust free. Use cotton cloth to clean these surfaces.

5. Keep the battery terminals corrosion free and rust free. If the terminals get corroded pour hot water and baking soda solution on the corrosive area or use a tooth brush for cleaning. This will remove the corrosion. Once the terminals become corrosion free, apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline on to the terminals, nuts and bolts to avoid future corrosion. Rusting in terminals reduces the current flow to and from from the battery. This restricted flow of current results in slow battery charging which ultimately reduces battery life.

6. Do not place any iron objects over the battery. It will cause short circuit and fire.

7. Do not try to remove the battery terminals if the inverter is switched on or connected to mains. Disconnect the battery terminals only after switching off the inverter and the mains supply. While removing the terminals, remove the negative terminal (Black) first. Take utmost care to prevent shorting of positive and negative terminals through the connecting cables. Always observe the polarity (polarity is indicated as Red colour or + mark for positive and Black or – mark near the terminals) while connecting the cables.

8. If the inverter is in the charged mode for more than 12 hours, it indicates that the battery is not accepting charge. If it happens, disconnect it and check the battery for its charge holding capacity.

9. Be careful that the vents around battery are dust free and open. Blocked vents lead to hydrogen gas accumulation ,which may lead to bursting of battery.

10. From safety point of view, install the inverter at safe places in your home which is out of the reach of children or a less used area. But at the same time make sure that it is airy and properly ventilated.

11. Replace your battery if it is dead or damaged. Regular inspection will keep you updated on your inverter and battery conditions.

12. It is very important that you use correct battery as per requirement (called battery capacity). Make sure that you always use battery with proper Ah (Ampere Hour) capacity based on your requirement. For more information on choosing the right battery refer to article 'How to choose right inverter & battery for your home' - Read further article.

How to choose the right inverter & battery for your home?

Are you planning to buy a new inverter or upgrade your old one? Whatever maybe the reason, it is very important to understand what the right inverter for your home is. The power requirement at your home can be different from you neighbor's home. So do not just blindly install the same inverter (in terms of power) in your home. Before buying an inverter for your home do a little homework and understand the basics:

First understand your Power Requirement

One of the most important factors that you must know before buying an inverter is your 'Power requirement'. In simple words- what all electrical appliances (like fan, tube lights, television, CFL etc.) you want to run at the time of power failure. The power requirement is addition of the power consumed by various electrical equipments.

Suppose you want 3 Fans, 3 Tube lights, 1 CFL & 1 television to operate at the time of power failure. Below is the power consumed by these items:
1 Fan – 70 Watts
1 tube light – 60 watts
1 CFL – 25 watts
1 Television – 120 watts
Therefore, your total power requirement is ( 3*70 +3*60 + 25 + 120) = 535 Watts

Find the VA rating of the inverter you need:

It stands for the Volt Ampere rating. It is the voltage and current supplied by the inverter to the equipments. If an inverter operates with 100% efficiency, then the power requirement of the electrical items and power supplied by inverter is same. But we all know that 100% or ideal conditions don't exist in real. Most inverters have the efficiency range from 60 % to 80%. This efficiency is also called power factor of an inverter and is simply the ratio of power required by the appliances to power supplied by an inverter.

Power factor of most inverters ranges from 0.6 to 0.8.
Hence Power supplied (or VA rating of inverter) = Power requirement (power consumed by equipments in watts) / Power factor( efficiency).
Here average value of power factor or efficiency is considered i.e. 0.7
Power of inverter (VA) = 535/0.7 = 765 VA
In the market 800 VA inverters are available. So an inverter with 800 VA will be the right choice for your home.

Know the battery your inverter needs:

Battery is the backbone of an inverter system. The performance and life of an inverter largely depend upon the battery quality. The next big question is 'how much back up will an inverter provide?' or for 'how many hours it can run all of your equipments?'. This is what is called the battery capacity. It is the battery capacity that decides the back up hours. It is expressed in Ah (Ampere Hours).
In the market batteries with capacity of 100 Ah,150 Ah, 200 Ah etc. are readily available. So how to decide which one do you need?

To find this out lets do a reverse calculation. Consider that you need a battery that provides back up for 3 hours.
Battery capacity = Power requirement  (in Watts) * Back up hours ( in Hrs) / Battery Voltage (in Volts).
Battery Capacity = (535 * 3) / 12 = 133 Ah
** Value of Battery voltage is taken 12V
Therefore a battery with a capacity of 130 Ah will work for you.

So if you want to run 3 fans, 3 tube lights, 1 CFL and 1 TV for 3 hours during power failure you would need 800VA inverter and 130 Ah battery.
By understanding this simple calculation you will be able to help yourself in taking correct decision.

*** Information Source: Various data available online from different websites.