How to Get the Most out of your Battery

Lead Acid Batteries
This battery technology has been used for a long time in systems, proving to be simple and reliable.


These top tips will help you make sure you get the fullest lifespan from your lead acid battery:

  • Keep the temperature as close to 25º as possible
  • Do not over-flatten
  • Do not deeply discharge or leave flat
  • Keep within charge-discharge range – usually 0.2C
  • Properly and fully charge

Example: Why full charging is important
If you’re running a 48v system, you have 24 cells, if using 4 banks of 12v batteries of 4 in series you have 96 cells to keep in balance. This is one of the reasons why lead acid has to go through a long period of absorption charging, it keeps your batteries happily balanced and to get rid of sulfation on mats. This explain why lead acid has an 8 hour recommend absorption charge time compared to only 2 hours on new lead-carbon battery banks.

Lead Carbon

Lead carbon batteries combine the tried and tested technology of lead acid with carbon to create an incredibly durable battery. All tips for lead acid apply to lead carbon too. Lead carbon can operate at higher temperatures and capacity will increase, however this will drastically shorten the battery life span.

Lithium Batteries
A lightweight, modern battery that has risen in popularity in recent years.

These top tips will help you make sure you get the fullest lifespan from your lead acid battery:

  • Aim to keep the temperature between 20º and 25º
  • Don’t use below 0º
  • Don’t charge when battery temperature exceeds 45º
  • Don’t go over voltage – use a proper lithium charger
  • Don’t use as a cranking battery

Example: Why full charging is important
When subject to a long period without completing the absorption phase (full charge) can vary their voltage at the upper levels. The longer they have been left with out a balance the more likely the balancers 2 hour window set up initial to increase longevity in lithium will become irrelevant and may need some light cycling at the upper charge limit to correct.

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