Battery types - what's the difference?
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Battery types - what's the difference?

No wonder customers often have trouble choosing the perfect device for their needs. Therefore, we present a short guide to the world of batteries.

Separation into service and service batteries:

  • Service: standard batteries that require control and replenishment of the electrolyte level by adding distilled water, e.g. lead acid batteries.
  • Free support: they do not require control and replenishment of the electrolyte, thanks to the use of the so-called. internal recombination of gases (oxygen and hydrogen formed during the reaction condense and remain in the battery in the form of water). This includes VRLA lead acid batteries (AGM, GEL, DEEP CYCLE) and LifePo batteries.

Battery types in the VRLA category (Valve Regulated Lead Acid):

  • AGM – series AGM, VPRO, OPTI (VOLT Poland)
  • DEEP CYCLE - series DEEP CYCLE VPRO SOLAR VRLA (FORMER Poland)
  • GEL (gel) — GEL VPRO PREMIUM VRLA series (VOLT Polska)

The most important advantages of VRLA batteries over traditional lead-acid maintenance batteries include:

  • Free support - use a chemical reaction in which oxygen and hydrogen, formed when the battery is recharged, remain in the form of water. This eliminates the need to check and replenish the electrolyte in the device, as is the case with classic lead-acid battery maintenance.
  • Tightness - have a self-sealing one-way valve that opens when the pressure inside the accumulator rises and releases gases to the outside, protecting the container from explosion. As a result, batteries are safe to use and environmentally friendly. They do not require rooms with special ventilation, as standard repair batteries. They can work in any position (for example, on the side).
  • Long service life – in buffer operation, they have a long service life (several years).
  • Lots of cycles - during cyclic operation they are distinguished by a large number of cycles (charge-discharge).
  • dimensions - they are much smaller and almost twice as light as conventional batteries with the same capacity.

AGM batteries (absorbed glass mat) they have a glass mat fiber impregnated with electrolyte, which increases their efficiency. As VRLA batteries, they have an advantage over traditional lead-acid batteries for maintenance, i.e. they are sealed, do not require liquid make-up control, can operate in various positions, are safe for the environment and the environment, have long service life and duty cycles, are light, small in size and easy to operate. If we talk about the advantages over their counterparts GEL (gel) or DEEP CYCLE, then these are features such as they are cheaper, have a longer service life in the buffer (continuous) mode, lower internal resistance, and work longer under heavy loads. AGM batteries can operate both in buffer mode (continuous operation) and in cyclic mode (frequent discharge and recharge). However, due to the fact that they operate in fewer cycles than GEL or DEEP CYCLE batteries, they are recommended to be used primarily for buffer work. Buffer operation means that AGM batteries can be used as an additional emergency power source in the event of a power outage, such as a power outage. emergency power supply of central heating installations, pumps, furnaces, UPS, cash registers, alarm systems, emergency lighting.

DEEP CYCLE battery made with VRLA DEEP CYCLE technology. Like AGM batteries, they have an electrolyte-impregnated glass fiber to increase their efficiency. In addition, the material is reinforced with lead plates. As a result, DEEP CYCLE batteries provide a much deeper discharge and more cycles than standard AGM batteries. They also feature lower internal resistance and longer runtime under heavy loads than gel (GEL) batteries. They are more expensive than standard AGM, but cheaper than gel (GEL). DEEP CYCLE batteries can work both in buffer mode (continuous operation) and in cyclic mode (frequent discharge and recharge). What does it mean? The buffer mode of operation is that the battery acts as an additional emergency power source in the event of a power outage (for example, emergency power supply for central heating installations, pumps, furnaces, UPS, cash registers, alarm systems, emergency lighting). The cyclical operation, in turn, lies in the fact that the battery is used as an independent source of energy (for example, photovoltaic installations).

Gel batteries (GEL) have an electrolyte in the form of a thick gel formed after mixing sulfuric acid with special ceramic dishes. During the first charge, the electrolyte turns into a gel, which then fills all the gaps in the silicate sponge separator. Thanks to this process, the electrolyte completely fills the available space in the battery, which significantly increases its shock resistance and allows for a very deep discharge without a significant impact on the nominal capacity of the battery. There is also no need to periodically top up and check its condition, because the electrolyte does not evaporate or spill. Compared to AGM batteries, gel batteries (GEL) are characterized primarily by:

  • high capacity for continuous power
  • many more cycles without a significant impact on the nominal capacity of the battery
  • very low loss of charge (self-discharge) during storage up to 6 months
  • the possibility of a much deeper discharge with the correct maintenance of operating parameters
  • great impact resistance
  • greater resistance to too low or too high ambient temperatures during operation

Due to the three parameters of high resistance to temperature conditions, shock and high cycling, GEL (gel) batteries are ideal for photovoltaic installations or, for example, automatic lighting supply. However, they are more expensive than standard serviceable or maintenance-free batteries: AGM, DEEP CYCLE.

Serial batteries LiFePO4

LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries with integrated BMS are characterized primarily by their very low weight and high cycle life (approx. 2000 cycles at 100% DOD and approx. 3000 cycles at 80% DOD). The ability to work through a large number of discharge and charge cycles makes this type of battery much better than standard AGM or GEL batteries in cycling systems. The low dead weight of the battery makes it suitable for places where every kilogram counts (eg campers, food trucks, boat buildings, water houses). Very low self-discharge and deep-discharge capability make LiFePO4 batteries an excellent choice for emergency power and energy storage applications. The built-in BMS system ensures storage of batteries without loss of nominal capacity for a long time and controls the processes of charging and discharging batteries. The LiFePO4 battery can power emergency power systems, off-grid photovoltaic installations and energy storage.

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