How to choose a battery for a solar battery? External battery with solar battery

Whatever the system of autonomous power supply, which is powered by solar energy, it includes some mandatory components, among them - batteries, or solar panels, inverter, discharge and charge controller, and battery. As is known, solar panels work at the expense of energy of ultra-violet radiation. While the battery for a solar battery is designed to perform a slightly different role. The primary task is the accumulation of electricity, as well as its return. The main technical feature of the battery is its capacity. By this indicator, you can determine what the maximum period of the system's operation is in the offline mode. In addition to this characteristic, it is also necessary to take into account the service life, the temperature range of operation, as well as the number of discharge and charge cycles. The average battery life can be up to 10 years, but this figure will depend on the conditions of use and the type of battery.

Varieties of batteries

If you decide to purchase a battery for a solar battery, it is best to prefer the most common sealed lead-acid variety. These batteries are manufactured in two different technologies, among them Gelled Electrolite and Absorptive Glass Mat.

The first technology was used in the late fifties of the last century, it consists in the addition of tetravalent silicon oxide to the electrolyte. This contributes to the fact that the electrolyte passes into a gel-like state. This technology allows to achieve the tightness of the battery, while the circulation of gases occurs in the electrolyte, which is jelly-like. As another positive feature of gel batteries is the lack of the need to add water throughout the life of the device.

The second technology was developed 20 years later and involves the use of a porous separator filler, which is represented by a fiberglass variety. In the production process, it is impregnated with an electrolyte, transferring it to a state devoid of liquid. By dispensing the amount of electrolyte, the manufacturer ensures that only small pores are filled, since large ones are intended for circulation of gases. Such batteries do not require additional maintenance.

Choice of battery capacity

If you decide to purchase a battery for a solar battery, then the first thing you need to decide on is the necessary capacity. Most often this value is chosen taking into account the average electricity consumption per day. In this case, do not forget about the depth of discharge, which should be 70%. The correct mode of discharge and charge acts as the main condition, which prolongs the life of the product. If you choose a battery for a solar battery, it is also important to remember that an excessively high charge current can reduce the amount of electrolyte, which leads to the failure of the battery.

Advice of a specialist of choice

Buying an external battery with a solar battery, you should take into account that the most widespread devices are operating with a voltage of 12 V. They are used for assembling units whose voltage is 24, 48 V, etc. If we consider the main parameters of this unit, then Among them one can single out the discharge current, charge, and also the working capacity. The battery pack must be constructed using a serial connection scheme. In this case, the total operating voltage will be equivalent to the sum of the operating voltages of each of the connected batteries. When connecting the batteries in parallel, you should add up the capacitance, not the voltage. This is due to the fact that the last indicator will remain unchanged. Before you connect the batteries in parallel, you need to align the voltage to them.

Battery selection by temperature mode

On sale today is an external battery with a solar battery in a wide range. That is why it is important to take into account the temperature regime that the device will be able to withstand.

Most often such products withstand both high and low temperatures. However, as the professionals say, this should not be abused. This is due to the fact that with an increase in temperature by 10 degrees within all the chemical processes is accelerated by 2 times. Whereas when charged, the difference in temperature between the battery and the environment is 15 degrees. This is explained by the recombination of oxygen. Coping with the solution of this problem will help the natural blowing of the battery. If you comply with all these rules, then you will obtain long-term maintenance of the equipment.

When should I choose a starter battery?

When you select a solar battery to charge the car battery, you may prefer a starter version of the equipment. Such a battery is selected in the event that there is a possibility of operation with good ventilation. It is necessary to note that feature, which consists in the loss of part of the energy to self-discharge. Car batteries are used when the battery system is running in harsh conditions, and its batteries are relentlessly discharged. Consumers resort to this decision in the event that you can not charge the equipment 100%.

When should I choose a gel battery?

When choosing a solar battery to charge the car battery, you can prefer a gel version. It is good in the event that it is not possible to constantly service the battery. Such devices are selected in the absence of good ventilation, where it is supposed to be installed. Gel variety can not be called a budget option, operation will cost more compared to car batteries. Among other things, the period of their operation is not so long. However, these qualities are compensated for by a small self-discharge, in which a lesser amount of energy is lost.

AGM batteries

If you are considering solar batteries for car batteries, then you can prefer this type of device. Their service life is somewhat less than the above. But among the advantages can be identified lack of gas release, which makes it possible to mount the device in any place that is not equipped with ventilation. The small size of the battery allows you to operate the device even in rooms that are not very large. You can transport such a battery in a charged state. It will be enough for 500 cycles while observing the condition of an 80 percent charge level. Charging the battery from the solar battery is very effective. In 9 hours it will be fully restored. If undercharged, the battery can work satisfactorily. It is important to take into account that the equipment should be operated at a temperature not lower than 15 degrees. Lowering this mark does not always indicate a poor performance of the device. While higher temperatures can cause a shortened service life.

Filling Sealed Rechargeable Batteries

If you are interested in the charge of the battery from the solar battery, then you can choose hermetically sealed types of the device. Such batteries are selected if the system's power exceeds 500 watts. Among other things, such equipment is required for the smooth operation of the system. The life of such batteries is the longest. Only by means of them can the cyclic functioning of the solar battery be ensured, which is true even if the cycles are heavy.

Summary of the selection

If you decide to choose a solar-powered battery for your phone, you should consider what the operating conditions of the equipment will be. If it is possible to constantly maintain the battery, while the cycles will not be heavy, you can buy a traditional starter battery. Experts advise to give preference to gel batteries in the event that there is no possibility to constantly serve them. Such solutions are used for the most powerful systems. Provide a long period of operation of the system, which is distinguished by its impressive capacity, only sealed or flooded batteries will be able to. In the case of backup systems, AGM batteries are provided for them.

How to choose a used device?

Before acquiring the described devices, you can consider their scheme. A solar battery, the battery for which you can buy in the departments of the corresponding goods, is able to work and from an alkaline device. As its pluses, you can identify the possibility of a deep recharge without damage to the unit. That's why experts advise to buy traction batteries, second-hand. These devices have a long service life. This type of battery is used quite rarely, this indicates that finding such a variety will be much more difficult. You can choose the starter lead-acid batteries. In addition, their availability, as well as widespread prevalence, can be distinguished.