Updating your home to meet the frequent power cuts? Ensure that you focus on both components of the inverter system, i.e., the inverter and the battery. Defining the time and number of pieces of equipment that can run during a power outage, the inverter battery is an important aspect to focus on.
With numerous types available and multiple key features, detailed insights are necessary for informed decision-making. Understanding your dilemma, here are some key details to consider when choosing the best inverter battery.
Table of Contents
About Inverter Battery
The inverter battery is a crucial component of the inverter system. It acts as the source of energy by storing the electrical energy when power is available from the main grid. The stored energy is converted into AC during a power outage to run the connected electrical equipment. The battery follows a charge and discharge cycle to be ready for every succeeding use.
The inverter batteries are rated based on their capacity to provide power during the outage. There are different types of inverter batteries, and understanding them is essential to make an informed choice. So, here it is:
- Lead-acid batteries: These are the most commonly used type of battery due to their affordability and high compatibility with inverters. It comprises lead plates immersed in dilute sulfuric acid and contained in a plastic container. They can withstand a variety of environmental conditions and are easily available.
- Tubular batteries: They are low-maintenance, durable, and highly efficient batteries appropriate for heavy-duty applications. These are also lead-acid batteries, featuring high charging and discharging rates, as well as a longer warranty period.
- Lithium-ion batteries: These batteries are lightweight and charge and discharge quickly. They are made of a lithium compound and graphite, dipped in a lithium salt solution. They have a longer life cycle, require less maintenance, have high energy density, and pose fewer environmental hazards.
- Gel batteries: They are spill-proof batteries well-suited for indoor use due to gel-like electrolyte and a lack of ventilation requirement. Gel batteries are a type of value-regulated battery and are environmentally friendly owing to less gas and fume production. These batteries are also preferred for areas with frequent power cuts due to their high tolerance towards deep discharges.
7 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Inverter Battery
With a variety of available battery types, the appropriate choice becomes more complex. To ease the same, here are factors that can aid in shortlisting the best inverter battery suited for your needs:
1. Types
While describing the different types of battery above, the insights also focused on durability and heavy-duty applications. Accordingly, tubular batteries are the right choice to meet heavy power backup needs with consistency. The low-maintenance feature is another better option for users who need affordable options.
2. Capacity
The battery capacity defines how long and how many electrical appliances can be powered during prolonged outages. The battery capacity is specified in ampere-hours (Ah), with a higher value indicating a greater capacity. The high-capacity best inverter battery is a suitable choice for installations in offices or homes with large power requirements.
3. Charge and Discharge Cycles
Inverter batteries support a finite number of charge and discharge cycles before performance degradation begins. Considering the same will greatly influence the life of a battery. Those with a high number of cycles will last longer, while those with fewer cycles will have a shorter lifespan. It makes a high number of charge and discharge cycles based on batteries appropriate for running multiple or heavy electrical equipment.
4. Recharge Time
The batteries vary based on the time required for charging. To meet the demand for the best inverter battery at locations with frequent power cuts, the choice should be for the one with the least recharge time. It offers quick power, allowing more frequent usage.
5. Maintenance
Battery maintenance is a crucial aspect to consider. It requires regular cleaning, inspection, timely water refilling, maintaining an optimal charging routine, using the right charging equipment, and professional checkups at regular intervals. Choosing the one with low maintenance requirements offers sustainable running and efficient functional delivery.
6. Inverter Compatibility
The relevance of every factor fades if the shortlisted choices are not compatible with the inverter you possess. Hence, begin selection with this parameter first to explore options relevant to your needs. It includes selecting appropriate voltage, current, power, and capacity ratings.
7. Warranty and Brand Reputation
The choice in this category must always be based on the top quality. It is offered by brands that care for their reputation. The best marker to identify quality is by checking the warranty period. The long warranty period indicates the brand’s confidence in the quality of the delivered product. Hence, it is less likely to face issues in both the short and long run, provided the right usage method is followed.
Conclusion
Inverter systems are an essential requirement of every household to avoid hindrance in the flow of work and life. One of the key components of the inverter system is the battery. There are various battery types available, each with distinct characteristics. However, the best inverter battery choice depends on a variety of factors, including capacity, inverter compatibility, specific needs, frequency of power outages, and others. Have your need-specific shortlist ready before selecting the right battery for you.
