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This is the power storage for our system.
Power that isn't used during the day is diverted to the batteries until they are full.
(Questions about charging are answered in the last section about the charger.)
In alternative energy systems usually use the very heavy duty batteries which are constructed for golf carts and fork lifts.
Our choice was for the "smaller" golf cart batteries.
Each battery in our system is 6 volts and can deliver about 250 amp-hours of power.
Connecting 4 of these batteries in series (end to end) will deliver about 250 amp-hours at about 24 volts.
Currently we are using 3 strings of these batteries to deliver up to 750 amp-hours at 24 volts.
These batteries are similar to your car battery in many ways, but totally different in many others. They contain battery acid, known as electrolyte, which actually stores the electrical energy through chemical reactions. There are plates made of lead that carry the current to or from the acid as it reacts with the electrolyte. Unlike your car battery, these batteries use solid plates of lead which allow it to deliver more power over longer periods of time and hold up to years of deep cycling. Car batteries are made for high surges and usage of only a little of the stored energy and then a quick recharge; while deep cycle batteries can dump 60-80% of their charge without any trouble. Your car battery's lead plates also look more like a lead sponge plate rather than the heavier solid lead plates all true deep cycle batteries have. Our batteries, while light as deep cycle batteries go, weigh 62 pounds each! With only 12 batteries that's 744 pounds! |
| Normally, the charger will regulate the day to day charging of the batteries without any trouble. Though there are times that you should do a controlled overcharge of the batteries. Over time the acid in the batteries can become layered with stronger and weaker layers seperating and causing a loss of battery performance. Sometimes individual cells of the batteries don't charge to the same voltage as the others because they may be chemically weaker. A controlled overcharge, or equalizing charge, causes bubbling in the batteries due to the splitting of the water molecules. This bubbling will mix up the acid to make an even mixture, in addition it will bring the weaker cells up to voltage along with the rest of the battery. |
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Be sure to take a look at the safety information.
Batteries, while very safe when treated with respect, can be very dangerous if you don't follow simple rules.
Metal: a short across terminals can be very dangerous. Sparks: a simple spark during an equalize charge can be a bomb. Acid: spills and splatters can cause burns to skin and serious eye injury. Use insulation like shrink tubing or electrical tape on all metalic objects. Keep baking soda handy for acid spills to neutralize the acid. Always use goggles and rubber gloves when servicing batteries. (Your eyesight and skin aren't worth the $15 dollars and time you'll save by not using these simple safety devices!) |
