So far, each example has been tailored to a DC-only circuit. What if you require AC power? An inverter must be used to convert the power in a DC-only system to AC power. Inverters consume power as they convert DC power to AC power, and in doing so, contribute to the system load. The less power an in Contact online >>
So far, each example has been tailored to a DC-only circuit. What if you require AC power? An inverter must be used to convert the power in a DC-only system to AC power. Inverters consume power as they convert DC power to AC power, and in doing so, contribute to the system load. The less power an inverter consumes the more efficient it is, which is how its efficiency rating is determined.
If an inverter is to be used, the following questions must be answered:
"Microwave Oven" by Mk2010 is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Imagine you have a microwave oven and the manufacturer''s specification plate indicates that it requires 800 watts to operate. We can easily determine the DC amperage it would require if it were to operate directly from a 12 V battery:
If inverters were 100% efficient, all of the power flowing from the battery would be inverted for use by the load, and the inverter would consume no power at all. In reality, however, inverters consume some of the power that flows from the battery while inverting. This requires an increase in current flow from the battery to run the inverter and support the load, and results in an increase in the total load requirements.
Let''s assume that an inverter has an efficiency rating of 80%. This means that only 80% of the power that is flowing from the battery can be used for the load. If the load is 800 watts, then the flow of current from the battery must be increased to keep the inverter and the load operating:
The inverter and the microwave will collectively require 83 A of current from a 12 VDC battery source to operate properly.
We consider ourselves authorities in portable power and students of its application. STIKopedia reflects that and is updated continuously as the industry grows and evolves.
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Battery VoltageBattery voltage, or state of charge (SOC), of a lead-acid battery can be estimated by measuring the open (no load) battery terminal voltage using a digital voltmeter. Prior to measuring, the battery must have rested for 4 to 8 hours after charge or discharge and resided at a steady room temperature. With these conditions met, voltage measurements provide an amazingly accurate SOC for lead-acid batteries.
Specific GravitySpecific gravity can be measured in wet-cell batteries with removable caps that provide access to the electrolyte. To measure specific gravity, you must use a tool called a temperature-compensating hydrometer, which can normally be purchased at an auto parts store or tool supply.
Load TestingLoad testing removes and measures the amps from a battery, similar to what happens when you start the engine of a car. Some battery companies label their battery with the amp load for testing. This number is usually about half of the CCA rating. A battery rated at 500 CCA would therefore be load-tested at 250 amps for 15 seconds.
A load test can only be performed if the battery is at or near a full charge. Some electronic load testers apply a 100-amp load for 10 seconds, and then display battery voltage. This number is then compared to a chart on the tester, which compares common load testing results to CCA ratings to determine battery condition.
Solar Stik uses only lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery chemistry in its lithium-ion energy storage products because it has safety characteristics similar to lead-acid batteries. LiFePO4 uses a nonflammable electrolyte, so when it''s completely discharged it becomes inert, making it safe for users.
In some lithium-ion polymer batteries, improper charging and storing can cause the formation of crystalline "needles" that can puncture the internal separator, resulting in failure or fire. This is not the case with LiFePO4 batteries because the reactants that store the charge are not flammable. All other lithium battery chemistries are volatile, reactive, and flammable, and if they do overheat and catch fire, conventional halon fire extinguishers will not put out the fire.
Common LiFePO4 cell types include cylindrical and prismatic (LiFePO4 chemistry is not packaged in pouch cells, another lithium cell type). It is easy to see how these were named, as they are actual descriptions of their physical attributes; they look like what they sound like.
LiFePO4 cylindrical cells are all made of the same basic components. Each cell, and the entire battery, is enclosed by a resilient plastic container. Inside the container there is a "rolled" foil, and between the foil there is a layer of permeable "separator" material. A safe, nonflammable electrolyte (unique to LiFePO4) is added to each cell and saturates the "foil" and "separator". The battery terminals are typically threaded (rather than posts) so that heavier-duty connections can be made to the load.
LiFePO4 prismatic cells make optimal use of space by using the layered approach. Small, flat versions are used in mobile devices where space is at a premium. The terminals can be oriented in any direction, which is an important feature for handheld devices. The smaller formats often have a softer, more flexible exterior and are sometimes referred to as pseudo-prismatic jellies.
Larger versions of the prismatic format are used to power vehicles and are often housed in welded aluminum housings. Stronger exterior housings are often required to compensate for the structurally softer inner construction of the prismatic format. Less efficient thermal management is inherent in their design, and overheating can reduce the life cycle and cause the cells to swell. If this occurs, remove and replace the battery before there is any damage to the component using the battery.
LiFePO4 is slightly less powerful than other commercially available lithium chemistries, but for many applications, the safety of its chemistry makes it the best choice despite its lower energy density. A LiFePO4 battery can be installed safely in any orientation. Safety vent valves are usually not required because the battery management system (BMS) will not allow the battery to overheat and vent gasses.
History of Lithium-ion Batteries
Experimental lithium batteries were developed as early as 1912, but it took nearly 70 years before a commercial lithium battery was developed for a wide market. Today, lithium batteries are most associated with enhancing "portable" capabilities. For example, they are the standard battery technology for high performance in portable electronics ranging from cell phones to laptop computers. There is a diverse family of lithium chemistries available. At first glance, they might all seem to be the same, but there are exploitable, distinct differences between them. The unique nature of the various chemistries allows each type to fill special application niches.
Even with wide market adoption in the early 1990s, as societal demands for lightweight portable electronics was burgeoning, the high cost barrier and complexities in battery management circuits would prevent lithium batteries from being used widely in support of larger devices or in scaled energy-storage systems such as large vehicles or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
Today, lithium battery technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Manufacturers, driven by demands from new applications, are constantly pushing the envelope by making changes in the chemistry and structure in search of improved battery life and greater energy density.
Lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used batteries and come in several different configurations. The oldest of the lead-acid battery types are flooded-cell (or wet-cell) batteries and can be either the sealed or the open variety. In both types, the electrolyte evaporates due to charging, age, or ambient heat.
In the mid 1970s, a "maintenance-free" valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery was developed.
VRLA batteries can be absorbed glass mat (AGM) or gel cells. Solar Stik uses AGM batteries in its lead-acid products.
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