Having an efficient and well-maintained inverter battery system is crucial for getting uninterrupted solar power supply at home. While installing good quality solar batteries like lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries is the first step, regularly caring for these batteries is equally important.
Proper maintenance not only improves the battery performance and lifespan but also saves you money by delaying expensive replacements. By spending a few minutes every month on basic battery care, you can add years to their functioning capability. Read on as we share 6 tried and tested maintenance tips for your inverter batteries.
- Monitor the Charge Level
One of the easiest ways to maintain your inverter batteries is by monitoring their state of charge (SOC). Keeping the charge level between 40-80% prevents overcharging or deep discharging both of which negatively impact the battery lifecycle.
You can manually check the SOC level using a battery monitor. Or opt for smart lithium-ion batteries that come with inbuilt battery management systems to automatically regulate charging and discharging.
Checking the charge levels weekly once will help you identify any drastic drops that need investigation. Maintain proper logs of the SOC levels over months to predict battery performance issues early.
- Clean Battery Terminals
Dirty battery terminals can obstruct smooth flow of energy between the battery bank and the inverter. This can lead to power fluctuations along with reducing battery performance.
Hence, cleaning the terminals is important inverter battery maintenance. Use a wire brush to remove dirt, corrosion and residue from the terminals. Ensure the terminals are tight and free of any debris. Apply petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Clean the terminals at least once every fortnight. Make it a quick 5 minute task during your usual system checks. Wear rubber gloves for additional safety. Spot clean immediately if you notice any unusual discharge or dirt around terminals.
- Check Connections are Secure
Loose cable connections between the solar panels, charge controller, inverter and battery bank will hamper effective energy transfer and functioning of your solar system.
As part of periodic battery maintenance, check that all the connections are tightly secured in the circuit. Tighten any loose connections and replace damaged cables if required.
Inspect all connections carefully once a month during full system checks. Use insulation tape to provide additional support if connections tend to become loose regularly. Number coding cables can help easily locate loose connections needing attention.
- Equalize Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
For flooded lead-acid batteries, equalizing charges help remove sulphate crystals from the battery plates which can reduce their ability to hold charge.
Every 3-4 months, give your FLA batteries a slow equalizing charge of 15-16V for 1 to 3 hours after they are fully charged. This helps restore lost capacity and prolongs their lifespan.
Before equalization, ensure batteries are topped off. Monitor voltages during equalizing charge and disconnect once they are equal. Allow batteries to cool down before reconnecting.
- Ensure Proper Ventilation
Proper air circulation is crucial for maintaining optimum battery temperatures and preventing overheating. High temperatures accelerate battery degradation.
Ensure your battery bank has adequate ventilation for cooling. Keep the area around the batteries clean and obstruction free. You can also use battery cooling fan systems for active ventilation.
Maintain a minimum clearance of 2 feet on all sides for free air flow. Keep exhausts and vents obstruction-free. Monitor battery temperatures during peak charging and discharging to ensure no overheating.
- Consider Replacement after 3-5 Years
On average, a high quality solar batteries lasts for about 5 years. Though with proper maintenance, you can increase their lifespan beyond this period as well.
Keep checking the battery capacity and performance occasionally. When you notice a steep reduction in backup time provided or faster discharge rates, it likely means the batteries need a replacement. Most solar companies offer affordable battery replacements.
Signs that your batteries need replacing soon include:
- Reduced backup time by more than 25% of original capacity
- Taking much longer to charge fully
- Terminals getting excessively corroded
- Uneven battery voltages during charging and discharging cycles
- Battery casing damage or extensive swelling
Check battery age, capacity deterioration percentage, number of bad cells and electrolyte levels before deciding battery replacement.
Waaree: Your Solar Energy Partner
As one of India’s leading solar companies, Waaree offers exceptional quality solar products including solar panels, batteries, pumps, etc along with prompt after sales support.
Some of their top solar offerings include:
- Advanced Lithium-ion Batteries: High performing, fast charging and long lifespan batteries for solar systems
- Solar Water Pumps: Patented solar pumps for agriculture, domestic and industrial applications
- Solar AC Modules: Complete solar solution with inbuilt micro inverter, junction box and panel frame
Conclusion
By following these simple yet effective inverter battery maintenance tips, you can optimize the performance and longevity of your battery bank. Regular battery care saves you from expensive solar system breakdowns and replacements – making sure you get uninterrupted solar power supply for years.
Partner with solar experts like Waaree and choose high quality batteries for maximizing ROI. Their team can also help design effective battery bank maintenance plans as per your system requirements. Invest today in robust solar solutions for a brighter future.