Battery Types
The largest battery that most of us are familiar with is the battery in our car. Traditionally these have been the flooded lead acid type where there is an electrolyte (sulphuric acid), an anode (lead) and a cathode. As current is applied to the battery there is an exchange of ions between the anode and the cathode. Vents are included in the battery to allow for the escape the hydrogen and oxygen that are produced during the charging process.
These batteries are designed to provide large currents for a short period of time (vehicle ignition) and are not suited to the deep cycle discharging required for storage of power from a photovoltaic system.
Sealed Lead Acid are now a more common variation of this battery, as are Amalgamated Glass Matt (AGM) and Gel Cell.
Carbon
Lead Carbon battery add carbon material with high capacitance or highly conductive into the negative electrode, combine the advantages of lead acid battery and super capacitors, Lead carbon battery provide not only high energy density, but also high power, rapid charge and discharge, longer cycle life.
Lead Acid - AGM, Gel, Flooded and Sealed
AGM – Amalgamated Glass Mat.
A woven glass mat is used between the lead plates to hold the electrolyte. They are leak/spill proof, do not out-gas when charging, and have superior performance. They have all the advantages of the sealed gel types and are higher quality, maintain voltage better, self discharge slower, and last longer. The Sun Xtender series by Concorde Battery is an excellent example of AGM batteries. They are more expensive, but you usually get what you pay for. You will find this type of battery used in airplanes, hospitals, and remote telephone/cell tower installations.
Gel – Not to be confused with maintenance free batteries, sealed gel batteries have no vents and will not release gas during the charging process like flooded batteries do. Venting is therefore not required and they can be used indoors. This is a big advantage because it allows the batteries to maintain a more constant temperature and perform better.
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