Sun Xtender Solar Batteries - Photovoltaic Battery

SUN XTENDER BATTERIES
A Division of Concorde Battery Corp.
2009 San Bernardino Road
West Covina, CA 91790
Tel. (626) 813-1234
Fax. (626) 813-1235

Sun Xtender AGM Battery Technology VS. Other AGM Batteries

December 2002

TECHNOLOGY COMPARISON

In the development and evolution of Sealed, Recombinant Gas, Absorbent Glass Mat [AGM] technology, battery manufacturers looked at the market’s technical requirements for these products and developed their individual AGM designs.

Concorde first designed high-energy density/high-rate AGM batteries suitable to satisfy the demands of the military and commercial aircraft industry for turbine engine starting applications. The results were outstanding.

Concorde’s second design included high energy density DEEP CYCLE batteries to improve on its quality gelled electrolyte product. The results increased both the capacity per volume/weight and cycle life significantly.

Concorde furthered its deep cycle design to include AGM batteries designed specifically for the Solar [PV]/Wind industry. A major consideration was the ability to attain long life even with the battery operating in a partial state of charge through much of its life [operating any lead acid in a partial state of charge increases positive grid corrosion]. Concorde increased the thickness of its already thick positive grid and modified grid alloys to overcome the problem.

Meanwhile, other manufacturers chose a different course of design in their AGM development. Since most were mainly involved in Uninterruptible Power Supplies [UPS] and Telecom industries, they designed for high-rate/standby use.

As is known, in most cases, a PV application requires that the battery must be cycled every day and the sun does not shine every day. This requires thicker grids, more dense paste [oxide] for the plates, protection from positive plate growth and dendrite formation. Many system locations require the batteries be transported over rough terrain. Therefore, the internal intercell connections, plate support, battery container/cover, etc., must be robustly designed to be capable of deep cycling, adverse environmental and handling conditions to provide long life and reliable performance.

The UPS/Telecom Standby battery industry did not need all the design considerations of the PV industry. Therefore, these battery manufacturers could design a cheaper product and still meet the needs of those UPS and Telecom customers. In standby applications the batteries are seldom used, discharges are infrequent and deep discharge recovery is not a major problem. They sit on “float” charge through much of their life in a temperature controlled environment.

Please review some of the differences in our Sun Xtender® AGM design philosophy vs most other manufacturer’s AGM products below.

SOME OF THE DESIGN ADVANTAGES & FEATURES OF CONCORDE SUN XTENDER® BATTERIES

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS	SUN XTENDER® AGM	OTHER AGM BATTERIES
THICK POSITIVE GRIDS	0.105" [2.67 mm]	0.045 to 0.060" [1.27 to 1.65 mm]

PASTED PLATES [OXIDE MATERIALS]	High Density for Frequent Cycling	Lower Density - Infrequently Used
WRAPPED GLASS MAT SEPARATOR	Thick, Highly Absorbent Designed for Maximum Electrolyte Retention Required for Long Discharge Periods v Wrapped around the plate	Not Wrapped Thinner Material Used Less Electrolyte Required
POLYETHYLENE MICROPOROUS ENVELOPE SEPARATOR	Prevents Plates Shorting due to Shock, Vibration and Dendrite Growth	No Protection Provided
INTERNAL INTERCELL CONNECTIONS	Over-the-Partition Massive Connections provide a Robust, Leak- Proof Intercell Connection and Low Voltage Drop	Through-the-partition “Spot” Weld - Small Area Weld provides Weak Structural Connection and the potential of Leaks between Cells
BATTERY CONNECTION TERMINALS	Copper Alloy - Low Resistance Electrical Connection and NO Exposed Lead	Manufacturer Dependant – Still Use Lead Post Connections
OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURE	-40 to +162 F. [-40 to +72 C.]	Range -4 or –22°F [-20 or -30 C.] to +122 or + 140°F [+50 or +60°C]
COVER-TO-CONTAINER SEAL	Epoxied Tongue and Groove Seal - High Strength Bond for Operation in Severe Temperature Environments	Thermal “Heat” Sealed - Subject to Separation in Temperature Extremes

Concorde’s Sun Xtender® AGM Series batteries have been designed and manufactured for the Alternate Energy [PV/Wind] Industry for true deep cycle, long service life capability in adverse temperature and handling conditions.

The data/information contained in the Sun Xtender official website has been reviewed and approved for general release on the basis that these documents contain no export-controlled information.

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