Knowing the benefits of each battery technology can help you make a more informed decision on the next set of batteries for your equipment based on your usage, capacity needs, and overall budget.
Selecting the Right Deep Cycle Battery
Article from | US Battery
Deep-Cycle batteries provide power to a wide range of applications, including golf carts, access lifts, cleaning machines, emergency back-up power, and communications and transportation. Over the decades, significant advancements in battery technology have allowed various chemistries to come to the forefront. U.S. Battery offers complete lines of Flooded Lead Acid (FLA), Advanced Glass Mat (AGM), and Lithium Ion (Li). Each of these chemistries provides certain benefits in specific applications, budgets, and usage.
Flooded lead-acid (FLA) batteries have been the industry standard and are still widely used because they are safe, cost-efficient, reliable, and offer a wide range of capacities. Given the fact that they are nearly 100 percent recyclable, they make a good choice for those who are also environmentally conscious. Our FLA batteries feature our exclusive XC2 formulation, which delivers higher initial capacity, faster cycle-up to peak capacity, and enhanced cycle-life. This is achieved through the advancements of using tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals that are formed in a more uniform pattern for positive electrodes.
Although advances have made FLA batteries more cost-efficient and longer-lasting, they do require regular maintenance in the form of periodic water replacement and cleaning. It’s also essential to keep batteries fully charged to prevent sulfation and avoid freezing in cold weather.
Key Benefits:
- Our most cost effective battery line
- Nearly 100% recyclable
- Long Cycle Life
- Extremely reliable and used in many industries
Drawbacks:
- Heavy (Compared to Li batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating)
- Require Maintenance (Need to check electrolyte levels and refill with water)
- Requires ventilation
AGM Deep Cycle batteries are very similar to flooded lead acid batteries, with the key difference being the sealed construction of AGMs. The electrolyte is contained in special glass mats that surround the battery’s electrodes, very similar to a sponge. The batteries are sealed and thus require minimal maintenance. Our AGM batteries have an advanced design that features improved positive electrode corrosion resistance and the addition of carbon-enhanced negative active materials to improve charge acceptance. AGM batteries have a higher cost compared with FLA batteries. Still, they are an excellent option for applications with difficult-to-access battery compartments because they don’t require venting of electrolyte gases. They also have the same advantages that FLA batteries have, such as recyclability, safety, and robustness, making them an excellent choice for those looking for maintenance-free batteries without the high cost of lithium-ion.
Key Benefits:
- Minimal Maintenance
- Nearly 100% recyclable
- Spill-proof and shock resistant
- Can withstand colder temperatures (Compared to FLA batteries)
- Can be used in smaller spaces with less ventilation
- Low self-discharge rate
Drawbacks:
- Higher initial cost (Compared to FLA batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating)
- Shorter Cycle Life than FLA batteries
- Heavy (Compared to Li batteries of the same voltage and amp-hour rating)
Our Essential Li® Lithium-ion batteries are our newest line, and offer zero maintenance, reduced weight, faster charging, and longer average cycle life compared to other chemistries. Cycle life claims are wide-ranging, anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 cycles. Most Li batteries have built-in Battery Management Systems (BMS) that constantly monitor the pack’s status. The bottom line is that you can expect roughly four to five times the cycle life from lithium-ion chemistry compared to other battery types.
Key Benefits:
- No Maintenance
- Built-In Battery Management System (Provides safety and charge status)
- Longer Cycle Life
- Reduced Weight (Compared to similar voltage and amp-hour rating of other chemistries)
- Low Self discharge rate
Drawbacks:
- Higher Upfront Cost (Compared to similar voltage and amp-hour rated chemistries)
- Not Recyclable
- Some Li cell types are better than others (Check with manufacturer)
- Poor Low Tepurature Operation
Knowing the benefits of each technology can help you make a more informed decision on the next set of batteries for your equipment based on your usage, capacity needs, and overall budget.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
US Battery
Since 1926, we have been designing and manufacturing the highest quality deep cycle batteries in the world. Starting out as a small manufacturing operation in San Diego, California and growing to the global company that you see today, having locations in Corona, California, Evans, Georgia and Augusta, Georgia, we work each day to supply our customers with the best batteries available. Through innovation and technology our products are the go-to energy storage batteries for a variety of applications including: scissor lifts, sweeper/scrubbers, golf carts, boats, RVs, renewable energy, and many other industries that require the constant energy delivered by quality deep-cycle batteries.
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