Are you looking for the best portable energy source? Is this a new and mysterious topic for you or maybe you just need to systematize your knowledge in one place without having to search through many websites? We have collected a handful of proven information for you that will briefly and factually answer your question: I need a battery, but which one to choose?
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What types of batteries are there?
Since portable energy sources are a subject that is still developing and the solutions that have been created are constantly being improved, it is worth taking a closer look at the classification of batteries currently available on the market. Here are the most important ones:
Lead-acid batteries – consist of lead plates and sulfuric acid in various configurations, which are presented below:
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Open, standard lead-acid (also called Wet Cell, Flooded): in these batteries, the lead plates are immersed in the electrolyte (sulfuric acid), they have free access to it. They require regular refilling of the electrolyte with distilled water. - SLAB (Sealed Lead Acid Batteries) used interchangeably with VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid): their undoubted advantage is that they are maintenance-free . This means that you do not have to watch the electrolyte level and the battery itself is sealed. We can distinguish two subgroups here:
- AGM - in this type of batteries, the electrolyte is absorbed by the glass fiber mat structure located between the lead plates;
- Gel - Gel batteries use a gel electrolyte, which is denser and more stable compared to the liquid electrolyte used in other types of lead-acid batteries.
It is worth highlighting Deep Cycle technology in this subsection, which applies to both AGM and Gel batteries . This improvement involves the use of thicker battery plates, which provides greater capacity and resistance to repeated charge and discharge cycles without loss of performance.
Lithium batteries - they use electrochemical reactions between the metallic lithium anode and chemical compounds on the cathode, and in this way convert chemical energy into electrical energy. These include, for example:
- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) - these are popular batteries used in portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, as well as in electric cars.
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4): Iron phosphate electrodes are used in the design. LiFePO4 batteries have a high energy density and are lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries.
- Lithium Polymer (Li-Po): characterized by a flexible casing and better energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
What to consider when choosing a battery?
Once you know which batteries you can choose from for your device, it's worth familiarizing yourself with a few more important parameters. And here our mini glossary comes in handy:
- Capacity (Ah, mAh) - used to define the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store and deliver, e.g. a 100 Ah battery will provide 1 amp of current for 100 hours. It is usually specified for a reference temperature, usually 25°C.
- Voltage (V) – this is information about the voltage at which the current will be supplied by the battery to your device.
- Number of charging cycles – this parameter informs how many times a given battery can be discharged and charged. When comparing this value for different types of batteries, it is important that the data concerns the same DOD level
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DOD (Depth of Discharge) - this is a measure that determines the percentage of energy released in relation to the full capacity of the battery. Depth of discharge is an important factor because it affects the number of charging cycles (the smaller the DOD, the more charging cycles the battery can withstand), efficiency and allows for comparing the life of different batteries. For a given type of battery, the manufacturer can specify a recommended DOD level for which the battery maintains its optimal lifespan. Example : 90% DOD means that 90% of the energy stored in the battery is used. - Maximum charging current (A) – this value depends on the type and design of the battery. Manufacturers provide specifications for the maximum charging current for a given model. Exceeding these values can lead to overheating of the battery, reduced lifespan or even damage.
- Maximum discharge current (A) - determines how much current the battery can discharge at a given moment without overloading or damaging it.
- Capacity at a given temperature – Battery capacity is temperature dependent, meaning it can change depending on the ambient temperature in which it is used. Lead-acid batteries tend to lose capacity at low temperatures. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are often less affected by temperature, but may require special charging and discharging procedures at extreme temperatures.
- Connectors – this is information about what type and size of clamps to use to connect the device to the battery. In some cases, connection will only be possible using special adapters or by replacing the connecting cables.
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How to properly maintain your battery?
Before you set off on a motorhome trip across Europe, or connect several batteries in series or parallel to a solar inverter, remember to:
- Match the charger to the battery type . Each battery type has specific charging requirements. Review the owner's manual or battery data sheet to find out the recommended charging parameters, such as voltage (V) and charging current (A).
- Only use one type of battery in series or parallel connection , e.g. do not mix a standard lead-acid with an AGM or an AGM with a gel.
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Match the battery to the weather conditions in which it will be used, as these devices have specific temperature operating ranges. Make sure the location where you place them maintains temperatures within the recommended ranges. Extreme temperatures can affect the performance and life of the devices. - Pay attention to the voltage value in the battery specification. Choose the one with the V value that matches the requirements of your system. There are batteries available in the market with voltages such as 6V, 12V, 24V, 48V, etc.
- Check the number of charge and discharge cycles the battery can withstand. This is especially important for systems where the battery is used frequently and is subjected to charge and discharge cycles. A higher number of cycles means a longer battery life.
- Economic calculation . Buying a battery with a longer lifespan can translate into lower operating costs over the life of the battery.
What to pay attention to when choosing a battery?
For your convenience, we’ve also prepared a cheat sheet, because we’re expecting you to ask: OK, but which battery is best for my device?
We suggest what the most popular of the previously mentioned ones will be best suited for, because they have the widest application. On the one hand, they can be used in the same places or with the same devices, such as photovoltaic systems, emergency power systems or recreational vehicles (campers, boats, caravans). In these cases, the role will be played by, among others, the different weight, available capacities (Ah) and also the amount you want to spend on this purchase.
On the other hand, due to its unique features, each battery has its own “specialty”:
AGM – often used in UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices, alarm systems, monitoring networks, security systems, high-power audio equipment. They also work well in cars with a start-stop function.
Gel – Gel batteries are widely used in telecommunications systems such as base stations, telephone exchanges, radio transmitters; occasionally in solar power systems, medical equipment such as resuscitation machines, diagnostic testing devices and patient monitoring devices.
Gel Deep Cycle – ideal for installation in renewable energy systems on land , such as small wind farms or micro-grids and small photovoltaic systems. Additionally, Gel Deep Cycle batteries are often for sailing and motor boats .
LiFePO4 - are successfully used in photovoltaic systems to store electricity generated by solar panels. They help store energy during the day so that it can be used at night or on cloudy days. They are also suitable for electric cars , electric bikes, electric scooters, etc.
So if you are planning a holiday trip in a camper or a relaxing yacht cruise . You are starting a security and monitoring company or you are supplying a hospital with emergency power sources. Are you a parent? You are probably preparing all of your child's electronic ride-on toys for the summer madness season. You can be any of these people and many others whose plans are based on the reliability of batteries. Now you can easily choose the best one for you .