Why Reliable Backup Power Matters
The global community is aggressively finding alternate energy sources that can be used instead of fossil fuels. Providing an energy source, on par or even better, than traditional sources is the ultimate goal to convince investors for large scale investments in this sector. A reliable power supply should provide 24/7, consistent output that operates any gadget without a disruption. Even a mild fluctuation from its output can disrupt a sensitive instrument’s operation. This is where a gel battery fits in, the most versatile, scalable and above all, reliable form of battery power that comes with customized specs and trendy designs.
What is a Gel Battery
A gel battery is essentially a lead-acid battery on a sealed substrate. It stores energy in chemical form and releases electrical energy. Instead of a free flowing acid substrate in older designs, the thick jelly like electrolyte in gel battery, holds the acid in its place and the usual oxygen- recombination technique reduces water loss. When a load is connected to the output there will be a consistent and uninterrupted flow of power supply due to chemical reaction. A simple and elegant design that delivers quality output for the entire time duration as per the specification.
| Problems | Symptoms | Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Charging | Constant beep Fault light blinking Instant shutdown Failed internal test | Aged batteries Dusty terminals Faulty components Wrong settings | Replacing batteries Cleaning terminals Servicing components Reset power cycle |
| Reduced backup | Shuts down in battery mode Rapid charging/discharging Battery failure light | Higher cycle count Frequent deep discharges Sulphation | Advanced monitoring Optimize battery usage Avoid undercharging |
| Overheating | Burnt/rotten egg smell Sudden shutdowns Noisy fan / fan failure | Blocked/dusty air vents Excessive overload Unbalanced grid circuits | Periodic inspection Proper load balancing Active cooling systems |
| Replacements | Failed start/shutdown Prolonged slow charging Bulge visible in casing | Battery degradation Thermal runaway Electrolyte dry-out | Modular UPS set-up Proper ventilation Refurbishing nodes |
| Not powering on | Tripped breaker/fuse Dead battery in grid Poor connectivity | Power surges Poor maintenance Wiring fault | Hard reset Service/replacement Scheduled maintenance |
Why Gel Batteries Are Better for Backup Power
- Gel batteries generally have longer backup time as they handle deep discharge cycles without any significant damage
- In spite of regular deep discharge cycles they degrade slowly compared to traditional batteries because of their chemical composition and durable design.
- Irrespective of the number of outages their output remains consistent, stable and constant without a hassle making them ideal for sensitive components.
- Noiseless, no spillage and minimal gas makes them ideal for hospitals, house and lab environments where safety is of utmost concern.
- Real-world environment posts many challenges including extreme heat and gel batteries are tolerant to higher temperatures than their counterparts.
Gel Batteries for Home Power Backup
Their ultimate selling point lies in their ability to have minimal to literally zero maintenance service. Their compact nature makes them ideal for trendy apartments and individual homes alike. Cleaning the battery hold is easier as they do not have oil spills or fumes and even moving them around involves no risk at all. The three most life-line devices of the 21st century, viz, the fan, light and modem and in some households TVs, can be connected to them for uninterrupted supply. Some areas undergo frequent power disruptions and gel batteries are their ideal choice. Power efficiency is better with gel technology during longer outages.
Deep Cycle Battery for Backup
Emptying up to 80% of the stored charge in a steady nature without any short outbursts and when mains returns, getting charged quickly, makes the ideal deep cycle trait of a battery. Gel batteries exhibit the best performance in this regard and hence can withstand frequent outages with ease. Ability to perform hundreds of discharge and charge cycles repeatedly without a dip in output performance makes gel batteries the ideal choice. The durable nature of their core materials do not degrade in this repeated cycle and their chemical composition withstands the heaviest of wear and tear making them the ideal choice for any devices.
Advantages of Gel Batteries Compared to Other Battery Types
| Gel Batteries | AGM Batteries | Flooded lead-acid batteries |
|---|---|---|
| Better tolerance and lesser internal damage in deep cycle discharge | Less safe and prone to core material deterioration upon repeated deep cycles | Damages quickly during repeated deep discharge cycle |
| No Spillage, Leaks and minimal gas emission | Gas build-up damage is a drawback with AGM | Prone to spills & leakages with more gas emission |
| Completely maintenance-free | Maintenance-free | Water topping required |
| No terminal cleaning | No terminal cleaning | Regular terminal cleaning |
| Best life-span | Good life-span | Lesser life-span |
| Withstand higher operating temperatures | Not as good as gel batteries but better than lead-acid | Evaporation issues of the liquid makes it a poor choice |
| No smell or noise | Silent operation | Bubbling noise and smells |
| Steady output in discharge | Lesser fluctuation | Irregular output issues |
| Lesser thermal runaway | Lesser thermal runaway | More thermal runaway |
| Cost is high | Moderate costing | Lowest cost |
| Charging speed is slow | Charing speed is fast | Moderate charging speed |
Applications of Gel Batteries in Backup Power Systems
Mostly used for residential infrastructure as power backup for indispensable devices like lights, fans, routers and computers. In office and commercial establishments, it is ideal for POS, workstations and networking equipment like switches and routers. Solar energy backups mainly depend on gel types as they are the most energy efficient batteries particularly roof-top and off-grid setups. Hospital set-ups use gel batteries for emergency lighting, diagnostic devices and oxygen concentrators. Since there are no leaks associated they are perfectly suitable for hospitals. Telecom industry towers invariably use gel batteries as their tolerance towards harsh wind and temperature makes them a reliable power partner. In addition portable gel batteries are always used in mobile camper vans as they can withstand vibrations during movement. Control panels, automated safety alarms too use gel batteries.
Tips for Choosing the Right Gel Battery for Backup Power
Depending upon the load that needs to be catered to, one needs to decide the Ah requirement. A simple fan and light requirement can use 120 Ah whereas a complete home backup may need 200 Ah. The backup is generally talked in terms of 3 to 4 hours backup time. Depending upon inverter type the battery valuation changes as not all inverters are calibrated to support gel type batteries. Deep cycle rating and lifespan ratings are the important factors that decide the battery selection as per the requirements of the customer. Safety features such as shock withstanding, spillage proof and heating effects makes the selection of batteries for appropriate purposes. Some go with brands, as some brands are reliable and premium category, and warranty provided so that they can have peace with the entire warranty period. Space, budget charging speed are also important while considering a battery type.
Even though gel batteries easily outweigh the other categories with respect to performance, the cost factors come into play especially when larger volumes of batteries are required. Also choosing a battery partner who can reliably deliver the batteries, install them and maintain them (preventive maintenance) is very important. Industry pioneers like AAGE International can cater to any volume of batteries and will have flexible payment packages with a premium fleet of battery collection. Their reputation in after sales support and customer-centric approach makes them the ideal battery partners.
Comments are closed.