When you think of saviours during a power cut, undoubtedly, you think about inverters, but how many of us think about the real player— inverter batteries? None of us. The battery stores the power for the house to use. But are all batteries the same? Nothing could be further from the truth. There are various types of batteries that, depending on your needs, will be what you choose.
But picking the right inverter battery comes with a lot of nuances, but it all boils down to understanding the specifications. In this article, we’ll explain each specification and what it means, which will help you pick the right inverter battery.
What is an Inverter Battery?
The inverter battery is simple; it powers the inverter when there is a power cut, but there’s more to it than that. Inverter batteries are different from automobile or starting batteries since they are designed for deep-cycle performance. This means that they release a consistent amount of energy over a longer time.
The inverter changes the battery’s stored energy from DC to AC when the main grid supply goes out for any reason. This powers all of your connected appliances. When installing an inverter, the battery needs to be robust enough to handle a number of charge and discharge cycles without breaking down too soon.
Now that you understand how important these batteries are, let’s jump into understanding the various specifications of the battery.
Understanding the Different Specifications of Inverter Batteries
The key specifications of inverter batteries are:
Capacity (Ah): The Powerhouse Potential
This is the maximum current a battery can give off in a set amount of time. Just like a bigger petrol tank in your car, a higher Ah rating guarantees a longer backup time.
Firstly, make a list of all the appliances you’ll need to use during a power outage and how many watts they need. Add together all of these wattages, then multiply the total by the number of hours you need the backup to last to get the minimum Amp-hours (Ah) you need. This calculation process becomes simpler if you just let ChatGPT handle it, but just for reference, if your devices use 500W and you want 2 hours of backup, you’ll need a battery with at least 1000Ah of power. This is only the basic math, though. The easiest way to find out exactly how much power you need is to talk to an experienced electrician.
Voltage (V): Finding the Perfect Match
Your inverter battery’s voltage must be the same as your inverter’s voltage rating. If the voltages don’t match, it could hurt both your battery and the inverter. In India, 12V and 24V are common inverter voltages. To find out what voltage you need, look in your inverter’s manual or ask a trained electrician.
Tubular vs. Flat Plate: Technology Matters
- Tubular Batteries: These are the workhorses that last a long time and are noted for being tough. They are great for deep discharges and power outages that happen often. But they usually cost more and weigh more than flat panel batteries.
- Flat Plate Batteries: These are usually lighter and cost less. They work well for short power outages and shallow discharges. But they might not last as long as tubular batteries do.
Current Rating (CCA): Not Just for Cars
Some inverter battery specs may have CCA ratings; however, these are usually used for car batteries. This rating means that the battery can transfer a lot of current for a short time, which is important for starting things like motors that demand a lot of power.
Additional Considerations
- Warranty: A good inverter battery company will provide you with a full warranty on their products.
- Brand Reputation: Choose a well-known company that makes high-quality products and has good customer care after the transaction.
- Safety Features: Make sure the battery has safety measures built in, such as protection against overcharging, deep discharging, and automatic shut-off.
Benefits of Understanding Battery Specifications for Inverters
There are many reasons why knowing these specifications is gonna benefit you. They are:
Ensures Compatibility with the Inverter
Not every battery is the same; knowing the specifications well makes sure that the battery is well compatible with your inverter. Not knowing the compatibility can result in power faults and, in some worst cases, short circuits if the battery capacity mismatches with the inverter.
Accurate Backup Duration
You never know how long a power cut is going to last, it can be 15 mins, it can be 5-6 hours. Regardless of that, it’s important to have an idea of how long the power is going to last if you’re going to purchase an inverter battery; knowing the specifications helps you make that calculation accurately.
Saves Money in the Long Run
A good inverter-battery compatibility makes sure that you don’t have to replace it as often as you think. This would mean that you end up spending less and saving a lot of money on maintenance in the long run.
Warranty and Replacement Value
Batteries do impact replacement value and warranty. In some cases, companies might make your warranty null and void if the battery isn’t something that matches their recommendations. To be on the safe side, it’s always advised to be aware of the specs of the battery you’re buying.
Conclusion
Batteries are just as important as the inverter itself.. They hold the power needed to run your appliances while your inverter does the work it’s supposed to. The specifications mentioned above are some of the most important considerations you need to keep in mind when picking a battery. Knowing these specifications can save a lot of money in the long run and get you a battery that will last long enough to go through a power cut.
