An independent, renewable energy system requires suitable energy storage to iron out differences between supply and demand.
At this point in history and in the foreseeable future, this means electro-chemical storage in the form of lead -acid batteries. Other battery types such as nickel-cadmium, (Ni-Cad) or Nickel-metal-hydride (Ni-Mh) are either too expensive for general use, or have unsuitable operating characteristics. Lead-acid batteries have reached suitable levels of perfection over the past 150 years to suit our purposes. They are relatively cheap, have a fairly linear charge / discharge curve which is predictable and simple to interpret, and our 'UNI-SUN" battery is clean, maintenance free and importantly in a domestic situation safe to use as it incorporates a flame arrestor / explosion proof vent.
Energy storage batteries should be sized in watt-hours, not ampere-hours ! Firstly, because energy is described in watt-hours , and secondly because amp-hours bears no relationship to battery voltage, whereas watt-hours does. For example 250 amp-hours x 12 volts = 3000 watt-hours, 250 amp-hours x 24 volts = 6000 watt-hours, and 250 amp-hours x 48 volts = 12000 watt-hours.
Our energy storage banks are constructed of individual 12 volt x 250 amp-hour = 3000 watt-hour, building blocks. These are placed in powder coated aluminium racks as shown below. They are more efficient, easier to transport and assemble, and certainly much safer to use than the cumbersome, dirty and maintenance prone, industrial type units that currently dominate the market. We used these types of batteries for many many years, ie, Exide, Yuasa, Hoppecke etc etc. In our opinion they are too expensive and unsafe for widespread use amongst the general population. above, I present my solution.
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Brand
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Type
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Volts
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Amp-hrs@c20
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Amp-hrs@c100
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Deep Cycles to 50%
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Dimensions LxWxH
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Weight Kg
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List Price
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UNI-SUN
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VRLA
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12
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200 A/h
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250 A/h
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1000
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495 x 279 x 190
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62
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$395.00
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BSB Power
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GEL
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12
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250 A/h
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300 A/h
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2000
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521 x 269 x 220
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73
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$595.00
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The Nickel-iron cell, or "Edison" cell is the most durable of electrical accumulators, and when the correct plate type is selected, can deliver a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, on a par with the solar panels themselves. Batteries of Ni-Fe cells may be assembled by connecting in series ( one after another ) or parallel ( side by side ) Each cell has a potential difference of 1.2 Volts nominal. Therefore, 10 cells connected in series will yield 12 Volts.
CHANG-HONG 240 Ampere hour cells (c5hr ) x 1.2 Volts = 288 watt-hours each.
10 series units = 12 Volts and 2880 watt-hours.
20 series cells = 24 Volts and 5760 watt-hours.
40 series cells = 48 Volts and 11,500 watt-hours.
These cells are of the correct plate type for extreme lifespan in solar applications. They have double redundant terminals for electrical integrity and operator safety. They are extremely useful in industrial and remote area power applications.
We supply these cells unfilled, to avoid freight complications, safety issues and cost. The potassium hydroxide electrolyte is supplied in dry granular form, to be mixed with distilled water on site.
List price $ 395 per cell.
A 10 cell 12 volt battery is $3,950
A 20 cell 24 volt battery is $7,900
A 40 cell 48 volt battery is $15,800
Economical shipping rates available
Heavy duty "Tensalloy" battery rack to suit up to N200 style, maintenance free batteries. ( 275 x 490 mm As shown ) Manufactured from 50 x 50 x 3mm "Tensalloy". Has fully adjustable side supports, which slide along to accommodate a vast range of battery sizes.
Supplied as easy to ship and erect, knock down kit.......Fully drilled, rivets supplied.
Immensely strong and simple design...Looks awesome. Recommend painting if used with archaic, open vented batteries !
1 Tier $ 330. 2 Tier $ 440......3 Tier $ 550...... 4 Tier $ 660.
$77 Delivery Australia wide.......