Page 5 - Summer 2020 Travelore 50

DRVC Travelore - Page 5
COMPARISON OF BATTERY TYPES AND RELATED COSTS
TYPE
MAIN ADVANTAGES
PPRIMARY DISADVANTAGES
INITIAL COST/ CAPACITY ($/kWh)
COST PER LIFECYCLE ($/kWh)
Flooded
• Inexpensive
• No special charging requirements
• Off-gassing
• Electrolyte usually escapes and
causes corrosion and possible injury
• Heavier than AGM or Gel Cell
• Sulfation
131
0.17
Gell Cell
• Spill-proof and corrosion-proof • True maintenance-free
• Lighter than flooded
• Longer life than flooded
• More expensive than flooded
• Easy to overcharge and damage • Special charging required
• Largely superseded by AGM
No information available
No information available
AGM
• Can use standard RV charging • Spill-proof and corrosion-proof • True maintenance-free
• Faster charging than flooded
• Low self-discharge rate
• Longer life than flooded
• More expensive than flooded
221
0.71
Lithium Ion
• Longer lasting
• No self-discharge
• Rapid charging
• Lightweight
• Delivers full rated capacity
• Expensive
• Newer technology may not appeal
to some users
530
0.19
continued from previous next page
The most common battery for the house system has been the flooded lead-acid battery, which is the oldest type of rechargeable battery, invented in 1859. While these are similar to the batteries in automobiles (starting batteries), they aren’t designed to withstand the type of use needed. For that purpose, a “deep cycle” type is required; one with larger plates that provides a stable flow of energy to the devices.
While lead-acid batteries haven’t changed much in more than 100 years, newer technologies have introduced other lead-acid batteries to the market, including gel-cells and absorbed glass mat (AGM); both are of a type called valve- regulated lead-acid (VRLA). Recently, lithium-ion (Li-ion or Li+) technology was introduced.
So, which type of battery should you choose for your home on wheels? Each battery type has its advantages, disadvan- tages, price range, and requirements. For instance, there
are different charging requirements that your existing converter or inverter/charger may not be able to accom- modate. So, while you can keep the batteries charged, you run the risk of overcharging or damaging them, or reduc- ing the batteries’ life.
Flooded lead-acid
Referred to as wet cells, this type of deep cycle battery uses the lead-acid chemistry that was developed by Gaston Plante in 1959. It is the most common deep cycle battery used in RV’s today. It uses the word flooded since it comes with electrolyte fluid, allowing the plates to be fully sub- merged.
The is composed of lead-oxide and lead plates and has an electrolyte that surrounds them. When electricity is taken from the battery, which is referred to as discharging, the plates start to change into lead sulfate. This also results in the dilution of the electrolyte.
continued on page 12