Owner`s manual

10
Batteries come in different sizes, types, amp hours, voltages and chemistries. Standard automobile
batteries, called starting batteries, are designed to provide high starting current for short periods of
time. These batteries will quickly drain under continuous loads and their life span is greatly reduced
when the battery is discharged on a repetitive cycle.
Deep cycle batteries are designed to handle continuous or repetitive loads for an extended period of
time. They will operate with repeating cycles (discharge/charge) and can provide sufficient power
when discharge is as low as 80%. This makes these type batteries best suited for use with the
Model 2000 inverter. These batteries are rated in AMP HOURS, which indicates how long the
battery can supply power under a continuous load. For example, 1 amp hour means the battery can
supply 1 amp for 1 hour, or 4 amps for 15 minutes. A 100-amp hour battery can supply 1 amp for 100
hours.
The most common deep cycle battery is referred to as a MARINE BATTERY. These are typically
used with boats and motor homes and are called "Group 27" batteries. They are 12-volt batteries
rated at 80 to 100 amp-hours (20 hour rating), are economical and readily available. The Model 2000
requires two batteries connected in series to supply 24 volt DC power to the inverter.
BATTERIES MUST HAVE SCREW TYPE TERMINALS. DO NOT USE BATTERIES WITH CLAMP
TYPE TERMIANLS.
Batteries are the backup power system's fuel tank. The larger the batteries, the longer the system can
operate before recharging is necessary. An undersized battery bank results in reduced battery life
and disappointing system performance.
Battery Terminology
• Electrolyte - Typically a mixture of water and sulfuric acid, it is commonly referred to as
battery acid.
• Plates - Originally made of lead, they are now made of lead oxide. Plates are the part of the
battery that collect current and are connected to the battery terminals. There are several
plates in each cell, each insulated from the others by separators.
• Sulfating - As a battery discharges, its plates are progressively covered with lead sulfate.
During recharging, the lead sulfate is removed from the plates and recombined with the
electrolyte. If the lead sulfate remains on the plates for an extended period of time (over two
months), it hardens, and recharging will not remove it. This reduces effective plate area and
the battery capacity is diminished.
• Stratification - Over time the batteries' electrolyte (liquid) tends to separate. The electrolyte at
the top of the battery becomes watery while at the bottom it becomes more acidic. This effect
is corrosive to the plates and reduces battery life.
• Deep Cycle - A deep cycle occurs when a battery has been discharged such that less than
20% of its capacity remains (80% discharge).
• Temperature Compensation - The optimum full charge voltage is temperature dependent. As
temperature decreases the proper voltage for each charge stage needs to be increased. The
temperature probe in the Model 2000 automatically re-scales charge voltage settings for
ambient temperature. The compensation slope based on cell voltage is -2.17mv per degree
F. per cell. This also decreases the charge voltage when the battery is hot to reduce gassing.
BATTERIES