Xantrex Technology 2500, 2000 owner manual Wet Cell Batteries

BATTERIES

BATTERY TYPES

Use only deep-cycle batteries with your Fleet Power Inverter/Charger. These fall into two broad categories, wet cell and gel cell.

Wet Cell Batteries

True deep-cycle wet cell batteries are characterized by relatively thick plates that are alloyed with antimony.

Common marine/RV deep-cycle batteries are acceptable. However, golf cart batteries have better performance and life. They are 6 Volt batteries that must be used in series pairs. High quality marine deep-cycle batteries offer good perfor- mance and are available in a wide variety of sizes. Floor sweeper, fork lift or large 2 Volt cells can also offer excellent perfor- mance, if their large size can be accommo- dated.

It should be noted that high antimony deep-cycle batteries will give off gas as a natural result of charging and will experi- ence some water loss. It is very important that the electrolyte level be checked frequently and topped off with distilled water when necessary. Never allow the tops of the plates to be exposed to air, as contamination of the cell will result. Keep- ing the tops of batteries clean will reduce self-discharging. Always provide ventilation for the battery storage compartment.

Do not use car batteries or engine starting batteries of any kind with your inverter/charger. Beware of any battery that is rated in Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). This is a rating which applies only to engine starting batteries. In general, most wet cell batteries that are described as hybrid bat- teries, suitable for either engine starting or deep-cycle applications, are a compromise and will give limited life if deeply dis- charged.

Beware of 8-D starting batteries that are commonly used for starting diesel en- gines. These batteries are not deep-cycle.

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