Xantrex Technology 1800i, 1000i owner manual Appendices, Battery Type

7. Appendices

7.1 Battery Type

This appendix explains some of the differences between the different lead acid batteries to help you choose a battery which best suits your needs.

The lead-acid battery which is probably most common is the starting battery in your automobile. An automotive starting battery is designed to deliver a large amount of current for a short period of time (so it can start your engine). Only a small portion of the battery´s capacity is used when starting the engine and it is quickly recharged by the running engine. It is not designed for repeated charge-discharge cycles where the battery is almost completely discharged and then recharged. Starting batteries used in this kind of deep discharge service will wear out rapidly.

Your Xantrex Prosine Inverter is designed to be used with deep-cycle lead acid batteries. These batteries are designed for deep discharge service where they will be repeatedly charged and discharged. This type of battery is often labeled as a marine, recreational vehicle, or golf cart battery. Xantrex recommends you use one or more of these batteries separated from the starting battery of your vehicle or boat with a battery isolator.

The many different types of deep-cycle lead acid batteries can be grouped into four categories: flooded (or wet), sealed flooded (“maintenance free”), recombinant flooded (often “starved electrolyte”), and gel batteries. The table that follows summarizes these battery types, identifying features, advantages and disadvantages.

FLOODED BATTERIES:

TROJAN: Golf Cart, Superior, Pacer

WEST MARINE: Sea Volt

MOTOMASTER: Nautilus

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

Vents which can be removed to fill the battery with water. Low price and higher maintenance.

ADVANTAGES:

More resistant to over-charging since they can be filled with water. Cheaper than other batteries.

DISADVANTAGES:

Must be filled with DISTILLED water and usually require equalization. Maintenance required.

SEALED FLOODED BATTERIES:

DELCO:Voyager

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

Vents which look like they are removable but are not. Sold as “Maintenance Free” at attractive prices.

ADVANTAGES:

Less maintenance required than Flooded. No need to fill with water. Less expensive.

DISADVANTAGES:

Less resistant to over-charging because they consume water but cannot be refilled.

RECOMBINANT FLOODED (SEALED) BATTERIES:

HAWKER ENERGY:	Genesis
OPTIMA:	Yellow Top
GNB INDUSTRIAL:	Evolyte

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

Vents are often concealed. Sold using the following phrases: Recombinant, Valve Regulated, Maintenance Free, Starved Electrolyte.

ADVANTAGES:

Require no maintenance. Non-spillable

DISADVANTAGES:

Can be damaged by equalization. Generally more expensive.

GEL SEALED BATTERIES:

SONNENSCHEIN: Prevailer

WEST MARINE: SeaGel

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

Sold as either “Gel” or “Gelled Electrolyte” batteries.

ADVANTAGES:

Require no maintenance. Often can be used on their side. Non-spillable. Low self-discharge. Less damage from being left discharged.

DISADVANTAGES:

Damaged by equalization. Generally more expensive.

14 English Xantrex Prosine Inverter Owner’s Manual