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Tag: Off-Grid
What are Watts?
Watts are a unit of power.
Power is defined as the instantaneous amount of energy delivered to a load. Watts should not be confused with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours. Watt hours are a measure of energy storage, which is a different topic to be covered in the future.
Power (Watts) = Volts (V) * Amps (A)
Lets consider a 10A draw from different battery voltages:
12V battery delivering 10A results in 120W of power.
24V battery delivering 10A results in 240W of power.
48V battery delivering 10A results in 480W of power.Lets now consider a 2000W load and different battery voltages:
2000W load on a 12V battery will result in a current draw of 167A.
2000W load on a 24V battery will result in a current draw of 83A.
2000W load on a 48V battery will result in a current draw of 42A.Sometimes running a higher battery voltages can have benefits.
– Being able to use smaller cables to run the same load
– Sometimes being able to use smaller devices to charge the same batteryIt is important to consider ALL factors when selecting a battery voltage. Higher voltage batteries are not always better, consider your use case and needs before deciding.
Disclaimer: ALWAYS remember to check your device’s specifications to ensure you don’t damage it by exceeding its capabilities.
Unveiling the Power of Lead-Carbon Technology Batteries: A Comprehensive Guide
Everyone knows about lead-acid batteries and most are aware of lithium, but if lead-carbon still has you scratching your head, this talk is for you. With growing efforts to move away from fossil fuels, creativity in the renewable energy & battery storage sphere has resulted in the melding of age old technology in innovative ways. The addition of carbon to familiar lead-acid battery technology has delivered a low-cost and sustainable new product to the consumer battery market.
If you really enjoy a deep dive into fine grain tech, you’ll love the ‘Construction of Lead-Carbon Batteries’ section, but if you prefer to keep it a bit more general, cruise on down to the ‘Benefits of Lead-Carbon Batteries’ section.
Understanding Lead-Carbon Batteries
Lead-carbon batteries have gained prominence due to their ability to provide sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions. To achieve their benefits, lead-carbon batteries employ a hybrid design that combines traditional lead-acid components with high-surface-area carbon materials.
Construction of Lead-Carbon Batteries
Fig.1. Lead-carbon battery configuration. Adapted from [1]
The construction of lead-carbon batteries involves modifying current LAB (Lead-Acid Battery) technology. The incorporation of activated carbon (AC) into the negative electrode enhances charge power and transforms the lead-acid battery into a lead-carbon battery. Lead-carbon electrodes, often referred to as LCBs, consist of a carbon-enhanced bifunctional lead-carbon composite negative electrode.
Key components inside a lead-carbon battery include sponge lead dendrites and AC particles connected in the negative active mass (NAM). This intricate structure enhances power and cycle life under partial state of charge (PSoC) operation. The addition of functional carbon materials addresses sulfation issues by increasing the conductivity of negative plates and providing additional active surfaces for lead sulfate (PbSO4) particles.
The inner structure of lead-carbon negative electrodes resembles a micro-ultrabattery negative plate, addressing challenges like parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), self-discharge, and electrode expansion during charge-discharge processes. Various carbon materials, such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers, are used as additives to enhance charge acceptance. The utilization of AC, known for its high specific capacitance, contributes to enhanced charge acceptance, even though it does not directly contribute to the capacitance of the lead-carbon electrode.
To counteract issues like parasitic HER induced by the exposure of carbon in the microstructure of lead-carbon to electrolytes, HER inhibitors (e.g., Zn, Ga, Bi, In, and Pb) are employed. A high affinity between lead and carbon components is essential for establishing a robust lead-carbon binary composite electrode. Despite the seemingly simple components, the lead-carbon composite electrode proves to be a sophisticated structure, requiring extensive research and design efforts for renewable energy storage and HEVs.
In the next section, we will delve into the mechanistic study and technological advancements of lead-carbon electrodes. Additionally, large-scale synthesis strategies of lead-carbon composite additives with potential applications in the NAM of commercial LCBs will be explored.
Fig.2. The main obstacles and considerations in lead-carbon batteries. Adapted from [1]
Benefits of Lead-Carbon Batteries
Extended Cycle Life: Lead-carbon batteries offer a significantly longer cycle life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, incredibly close to nowadays lithium batteries really, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run.
High Charge and Discharge Rates: The incorporation of carbon materials enhances the power density of lead-carbon batteries, allowing for efficient charge and discharge operations, even under high load conditions.
Improved Performance at Low Temperatures: Lead-carbon batteries exhibit a broader operational temperature range compared to standard lead-acid and lithium LFP batteries. This versatility allows lead-carbon batteries to function in a variety of environmental conditions, making them suitable for applications with a wider temperature range.
Enhanced Efficiency and Energy Density: The hybrid design of lead-carbon batteries results in improved efficiency and energy density, contributing to their widespread adoption in renewable energy storage systems.
Electronics-Free Design: A significant advantage of lead-carbon batteries is their simplicity. Unlike modern lithium batteries that often include complex electronic components, lead-carbon batteries maintain a simple design. The lack of electronics decreases the number of things that can fail and increases reliability.
Cost-Effective Energy Storage: Lead-carbon batteries provide a great price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of usable energy when accounting for both initial cost and expected longevity. This cost-effectiveness makes them a compelling choice for applications where optimizing the balance between performance and budget is crucial.
Environmentally Friendly: With a focus on sustainability and a recycling rate of 97%, lead-carbon batteries stand out as an environmentally friendly option, particularly when compared to the unresolved recycling challenges associated with lithium batteries.
Drawbacks of Lead-Carbon Batteries
Limited Energy Density Compared to Lithium-Ion: While lead-carbon batteries offer enhanced energy density compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, they still lag behind lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy storage capacity by size and weight.
Comparison with Lithium Iron-Phosphate Batteries
Now, let’s compare lead-carbon batteries, specifically the AGM type, with lithium iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, focusing on key parameters:
When to Choose Lead-Carbon
In the rapidly evolving landscape of energy storage solutions, lead-carbon batteries (LCBs) have emerged as a formidable option, especially in stationary applications where reliability and longevity are paramount. Their extended cycle life, high charge-discharge rates, and improved performance in ranging temperatures make them a cost-effective and sustainable choice for various energy storage needs.
On the other hand, lithium iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries excel in portable applications where temperature control and space constraints are critical considerations. The high energy density and compact design of LiFePO4 batteries make them ideal for powering portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, providing efficient and reliable performance in situations where size and weight matter.
Ultimately, the choice between lead-carbon and lithium iron-phosphate batteries depends on specific application requirements. Lead-carbon batteries shine in stationary setups, offering robustness and reliability, especially in higher temperature environments. Meanwhile, lithium iron-phosphate batteries carve a niche in portable and space-restricted scenarios, delivering compact and temperature-controlled power solutions. As technology advances, these two technologies will likely continue to complement each other, catering to diverse energy storage needs across different sectors.
Lead-Carbon Batteries
If you’re considering lead-carbon batteries for your system, we have a range of carbonPLUS 2V and 12V batteries available. Each product has a specification sheet if you need to delve into finer details.
carbonPLUS Range
References
[1] Yin, J. Lin, H. Shi, J. et al. Lead‑Carbon Batteries toward Future Energy Storage: From Mechanism and Materials to Applications. Electrochem. Energy Rev. 5, 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41918-022-00134-w
VE. Smart Networking
Delve into the tech magic of VE.Smart Networking—a wireless interconnection using Bluetooth Smart technology, fostering seamless communication among your Victron products.
How to Use
Sensor Integration:
Attach a BMV monitor, SmartShunt, or Smart Battery Sense to Solar Chargers.Device Pairing:
Effortlessly connect Victron devices through BLE. Up to 10 devices in the same Network.Parameter Optimization:
Witness Solar Chargers adapt charge settings based on real-time data from connected sensors.Advantages
Battery Health Assurance: Monitor voltage, temperature, and current, safeguarding battery longevity.Voltage Compensation:
Counteract cable voltage-drop for precise charging.Temperature Adjustment:
Adapt charge voltages based on real-time battery temperature.
Current Precision:
Enhance tail current setting precision for a more nuanced charge cycle.
Synchronized Charging: Linking multiple SmartSolar chargers for a collective charging strategy.Limitations
Sensor Priority:
Only one Smart Battery Sense or BMV per VE.Smart Network.
BLE Range:
Aligns with Bluetooth range experienced in VictronConnect.
Sensor Caution:
Connect one sensor type per battery, preventing overcharging or heating.
Current limit: if limiting the total charging current is required, a GX device is needed to use the DVCC function.Note: for full information and step-by-step procedure refer to the official Victron documentation.
Parallel VS Series: the solar panel edition
When panels are in series the voltage adds up and the current remains the same, whilst in parallel the voltage remains the same and the current adds up, the wattage will always increase in both configurations.
For example:
Four 250W panels with the specifications of 45Voc and 5A (Isc) in series will total to 1000W, 180Voc and 5A (Isc).
Four 250W panels with the specifications of 45Voc and 5A (Isc) in parallel will result in 1000W, 40Voc and 20A (Isc).
A couple of useful bonus tips:
- Panels should always be matched, e.g. the same Voc, Isc and wattage.
- Check the specs of your solar controller and be careful not to exceed the max Voc, Isc and wattage.
Parallel VS Series: the battery edition
When configuring a smart shunt or battery monitor, a common mistake we see is people adding up both the amp-hours and the voltage of their battery bank, ending up with a much higher figure for amp-hours than they really have.
Remember:
When batteries are in series, voltage increases whilst amp-hours remains the same.
For example:Four 12v 100Ah batteries in series will result in 48v, 100Ah with 4800wh capacity. When batteries are in parallel amp-hours increase but not voltage.For example: Four 12v 100Ah batteries in parallel will result in 12v, 400Ah giving 4800wh capacity.These battery wiring diagrams help illustrate the difference in parallel and series configurations.
Please be aware: parallel banks require fusing when combining with a distribution system as illustrated in the 24V & 48V diagram.
Heat & Solar Panel Performance
It’s the middle of summer. It’s hot. Solar radiation is at it’s peak, but your solar panels are not quite performing at their peak. If you’re wondering what could be going on, our tech team are here to explain.
PV cells work mostly on the visible spectrum, the irradiance is what is important and the heat works against us reducing efficiency.
Panels are tested at 1000 W/m2 at 25ºC to determine peak power rating. Each degree above this rating affects the panel output performance by 0.38% on average (check your panel spec sheet for the exact figure for your panel). Monthly average temperature variations can result in fluctuations in panel performance.
If you want to know how much of a fluctuation is possible check out image 2. You can see that the percentage loss due to summer temperatures is way higher than winter.
Even though the power yield is higher in summer, this is also true for inefficiencies.
Heat & Electrical Device Performance
Temperature affects electronics and electrical devices in all sorts of ways.
The internal resistance of every part or elements goes up, creating greater heat dissipation and as a result, the efficiency and performance of the system spirals down. It also wears down the lifespan of your electronics.
Remember:
Check the datasheet of your product, ie, Victron Inverter/Chargers which provide the temperature performance values.Hot tip: A temperature controlled room will make sure your system performs at its peak.
Check & Tighten your Terminals
As the weather heats up, loose connections can become an issue.
As your copper cabling expands and contracts, once secure terminals can work loose. Even if you’ve done the best job possible during your build, time and temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc.
Follow our tips for the best chance of preventing loose connections, and always check your terminals as the seasons change.
Tips to prevent loose connections:
- Proper placement of spring washer
- Use thread locker
- Correct sizing of eyelet
Tilt Angle & Performance
If you want to maximise average performance across the year, you should have your solar panels at a specific tilt angle depending on your location.
- In Perth the best angle is 30º, the same as in Brisbane and Alice Springs.
- Further North in Port Hedland you’re looking at 25º, the same as Townsville.
- Down South in Albany, 35º is ideal, an angle shared by Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.
- At either end of the tilt angle spectrum in Australia sit Darwin at 20º and Hobart at 40º.
We sell a variety of tilt frame options to help you optimise your panel performance. If you are someone who has more than enough performance in summer but are looking to boost winter performance, you can even add 5 degrees to your tilt.
Why you need a SmartShunt on your lithium battery
A SmartShunt is almost essential on a lithium battery system if you want accurate data on the state of charge of your batteries.
Using voltage as a state of charge indicator as you might on a lead-acid battery does not work on lithium as the voltage barely changes between 10% and 90% depth of discharge.
A SmartShunt delivers data directly to your device using the VictronConnect App providing convenient system clarity in the palm of your hand.Shop SmartShunt’s
Victron SmartShunt 500A/50mV
Original price was: $134.20.$119.00Current price is: $119.00.70 in stock
