Section 7: Batteries
Sealed Gel Cell
Another type of
While there are many manufacturers of quality flooded batteries, there are only a few manufacturers of suitable
AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries are similar to
Environment
For long life and good performance, batteries need to be located in protected, ventilated enclosure insulated from extremes in temperature.
Location
Batteries should be located in an accessible location with access to the battery caps and terminals. At least six inches of clearance above is recommended. They must be located as close as possible to the inverter, but can not limit the access to the inverter and the inverter’s
Enclosures
Batteries must be protected inside a ventilated enclosure. The enclosure should be ventilated to the outdoors from the highest point to prevent accumulation of hydrogen gasses released in the charging process. An air intake should also be provided at a low point in the enclosure to allow air to enter the enclosure to promote good ventilation.
Temperature
The effective capacity of a battery is reduced when cold. This phenomenon is more significant with
If the system is located in an unheated space, an insulated enclosure is highly recommended for the batteries. During the charging process, the batteries release heat due to the internal resistance of the battery. If the batteries are insulated, the heat can be kept in the batteries to keep them warmer. This will substantially increase the performance of the system.
Prosine 2.5/3.0 Installation & Operation Guide | 69 |