Samlexpower SEC-1260A Owner's Manual

Contents

Samlexpower SEC-1260A Owner's Manual Manual pdf 6 page image

SPECIFYING LEAD ACID BATTERIES AND CHARGERSFLOODED / WET CELL AND SLA (SEALED LEAD ACID) BATTERIESThere are two categories of lead acid batteries – Flooded/Wet Cell and Sealed Lead Acid(SLA). A flooded/wet cell battery has a high tolerance to overcharging. However, it willrelease hydrogen gas when charging that must be properly vented and the water level mustbe checked frequently. SLA batteries can either be Gel Cell or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat).Both the Gel Cell and AGM are maintenance free, have no liquid to spill and gassing isminimal. The Gel Cell is the least affected by temperature extremes, storage at low state ofcharge and has a low rate of self discharge. An AGM battery will handle overcharging slightlybetter than the Gel Cell.Lead-acid batteries can be categorized by the type of application: Automotive service -Starting/Lighting/Ignition (SLI, a.k.a. cranking) and Deep Cycle service.SLI BATTERIESEverybody is familiar with the SLI batteries that are used for automotive starting andpowering vehicular accessories. SLI batteries are designed to produce high power in shortbursts but must be constantly recharged (normally with an alternator while driving). Vehiclestarting typically discharges 1%-3% of a healthy SLI battery’s capacity.The automotive SLI battery is not designed for repeated deep discharge where up to 80 % ofthe battery capacity is discharged and then recharged. If an SLI battery is used for this typeof application, its useful service life will be drastically reduced.DEEP CYCLE BATTERIESDeep cycle batteries are designed with thick-plate electrodes to serve as primary powersources, to have a constant discharge rate, to have the capability to be deeply discharged upto 80 % capacity and to repeatedly accept recharging. They are marketed for use in recre-ation vehicles (RV), boats and electric golf carts – so they may be referred to as RV batteries,marine batteries or golf cart batteries. There are two categories of deep cycle lead acidbatteries – wet and sealed. A wet cell battery has a high tolerance to overcharging. However,it will release hydrogen gas when charging that must be properly vented and the water levelmust be checked frequently. Sealed batteries can either be Gel Cell or AGM (Absorbed GlassMat). Both the Gel Cell and AGM are maintenance free, have no liquid to spill and gassingis minimal. The Gel Cell is the least affected by temperature extremes, storage at low state ofcharge and has a low rate of self discharge. An AGM battery will handle overcharging slightlybetter than the Gel Cell.Page 5