Deep Cycle Battery: The Key Component for Solar Power Storage

In a time when the population is continuously increasing worldwide, along with the densely populated areas in many cities around the globe, sustainability becomes key; as it happens, it’s not just a trend that’s going to fade away with time thanks to the countless benefits it provides both to mankind and the environment.

It may seem too challenging for you to turn your life entirely sustainable all of a sudden and go live off-grid, but there are ways you can implement some sustainable changes, like introducing solar power to your home, great for both going off-grid and in cases of blackouts, as well as camping in remote areas.

Relying on solar power means you rely on a renewable resource which isn’t only in favour of nature but also happens to be economical. To be able to make use of such power you need a renewable energy system, with one key component: the deep cycle battery Australia is crazy about now that the number of people living off-grid is on the rise.

Thanks to the affordable prices of these batteries as well as those of solar panel systems, it’s never been easier to reap the benefits of solar power installing a PV (photovoltaic) system and a group of deep cycle batteries.

Why deep cycle?

The reason this type of battery is the ideal one for such applications has to do with the fact it’s a lead battery created for storing power and then providing you with a steady amount of this power over and over again, different from other types of batteries, such as car batteries for instance, and the name “deep cycle” comes from the cycle of discharge and recharge.

This is why it’s also known as secondary type of battery as opposed to primary, in the example of alkaline power battery, which is of use only once, that is until it is fully discharged. What’s impressive about the deep cycle, other than the fact you can use it for a long period is it can run even when discharged about 80% or more without it being damaged. Despite this though it’s advisable to discharge to about 20%, or at least 45% to prolong the lifespan.

How does it work?

When the PV solar panels produce the sunshine into energy, it’s the deep cycle battery Australia stores and retailers provide that’s needed to be charged through these solar panels during the day thus storing the energy so it can be used even when the sun is out.

Since the battery consists of small 2-volt cells, it’s these cells that help convert the generated electrical energy into chemical, and it’s stored in them as such until it’s needed to be converted back as electrical and used. Considering the battery is available in different voltages, in case you require more capacity for the battery bank, you could connect various deep cycle batteries together, including those that vary in the voltages.

This is possible in different combinations, like the parallel combination of batteries, the series, or even both, all with the help of interconnect cables.

What are the types?

Yes, there isn’t a single type of deep cycle batteries you’d get to choose from, given that there are the gel, flooded, sealed lead acid, AGM (absorbed glass mat) and lithium-ion.

What makes gel better than the rest is it’s an option of deep cycle battery Australia round stores offer that’s not as expensive as the lithium-ion, and it’s strong and vibration and shock proof, as well as low-maintenance thanks to the gel unlike the others filled with water.

Though cheaper, the flooded are more challenging when it comes to maintenance because of the danger the lead poses, so if you’re not that experienced with it, it’s best to avoid them. The sealed lead acid are sealed, as the name implies, but that requires regulation of the pressure whereas the AGM is a bit more advanced design than them though you’d have to mind to recharge them before they get to 50% or below.

As for the lithium-ion, they are lightweight, can be installed in any position, but they are the most expensive.

What is the best deep cycle battery?

If you aren’t sure how to make your pick because the options are vast, and you don’t exactly know which one would work best for your PV system, it’s necessary to consider some of the basic aspects.

For starters, you might want to find out the amp hours, i.e. the hours of use of a specific battery before you decide to buy it. This aspect would give you an insight into how long it takes until the battery needs to be recharged, with the higher amp hour rating indicating batteries for higher-end purposes.

This is also related to the charge time, the amount of time it would take the battery to charge whenever you’ve used it. Next up, the size and weight. Now these aspects in particular are essential when you’re looking for a battery for your RV solar system, in which case you’d do better with a lightweight one that’s easy to bring along on your adventures on the road.

Likewise, don’t forget to check the volts because the volt rating indicates the available power of the battery; the higher, the bigger the jobs it can serve for.