een proven for over 100 years. They’re also economical, at 50% to 90% cheaper than other technologies. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead-acid batteries are 99% recyclable and 99% recycled – the highest recovery percentage of any product in the USA.
The most common battery options are flooded lead-acid, which require periodic water service and other preventative maintenance throughout battery life, and sealed valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA), which are maintenance free but more expensive than flooded batteries.
Look for key features for longer battery life
Extend lifespan with proper storage
Batteries last longest in moderate temperatures (ideally, 77°F). Each 18°F temperature increase reduces the number of cycles available by half. Lower temperatures increase lifespan but reduce available capacity.
Avoid putting batteries in insulated coolers and old refrigerators, which trap heat and spike battery temperatures.
House batteries in well-ventilated locations or standalone utility structures.
Make maintenance easy
Maintenance is crucial for lifespan and performance. Typical maintenance includes adding distilled water, checking and cleaning connections, and effective battery charge control setup and operation. Follow manufacturer recommendations and schedule periodic maintenance on the calendar.
By following the approach in this article, navigating the transition from battery backup to off-grid can be fast and easy – and electrical bills will be a thing of the past.
John Connell is the vice president of Crown Battery’s SLI Products Group. Crown Battery manufactures all its advanced technology, lead-acid batteries at its ISO-9001:2008-certified plant in Fremont, Ohio.
Crown Battery | http://www.crownbattery.com