Solar Battery Comparison OverviewSince their introduction in 1986, several styles of batteries for solar / photovoltaic and renewable energy storage, likewise known as VRSLAB (Valve Regulated Sealed Lead Acid Batteries), SLAB (Sealed Lead Acid Batteries), or AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries, have been developed by Concorde Battery Corporation. Concorde Battery has a dedicated Research & Development Department that is continuously improving and refining its recombinant gas product line.
Formed in 1977, Concorde’s factory was dedicated to manufacturing dry charged (vented or flooded electrolyte) batteries. In 1985, Concorde developed the first recombinant gas (RG®) Aircraft Batteries. With great acceptance in both military and commercial applications, over 90% of Concorde’s manufacturing has been changed over from dry charged to recombinant gas production.
How Sun Xtender Batteries Work
The Sun Xtender VRSLAB, SLAB, or AGM Battery Series are recombinant gas batteries. The cells are sealed with pressure relief valves that contain the gases within the battery. The plates are sandwiched between layers of micro fiber glass mat consisting of a blend of glass fibers of varying length and diameter that feature good wicking characteristics and promote retention of the electrolyte (AGM). Electrolyte is absorbed and held in place by the capillary action between the fluid and the glass mat fibers. The mat is over 90% saturated with the electrolyte. By design it is not totally saturated with electrolyte, a portion is filled with gas. This void space provides the channels by which oxygen travels in its path from positive to negative plate during charging. The void spaces allow the freshly generated gases, which are in the atomic state and very reactive, to combine rapidly and safely. The recombination passitivates the negative slightly, reducing electrolysis and ultimately eliminating the need to add water.
Because of this type of construction, the sealed solar / photovoltaic and renewable energy storage batteries have much lower internal resistance and thus have greater deep cycling abilities, particularly at cold temperatures. Additionally, this glass mat provides a much higher degree of support against shock and vibration than the flooded type.
The Difference-Vented Batteries vs. Recombinant Gas Batteries
Some of the main differences between the flooded lead acid batteries and the sealed lead acid batteries:
The electrolyte is absorbed in a glass mat (AGM) separator in the sealed batteries and is not spillable as in as in the flooded type.
The plates in the vented type batteries are loosely packed and have wide plate separation (high internal resistance), the plates and the active materials are subject to deterioration and shedding due to shock and vibration. In contrast, the sealed batteries have every square inch of active plate material tightly packed and compressed with the AGM and are supported by the walls and bottom of each cell jar (case).
The cells have pressure relief valves in the sealed batteries that are designed to keep positive pressure in each cell. The older flooded type battery cells are open to the atmosphere through the vent cap holes. Should the vented battery be tilted or inverted, the result can be corrosive electrolyte (sulfuric acid / water mixture) spilled on the equipment or structure, a potentially dangerous condition. The flooded electric storage batteries consume water in service because they generate hydrogen from the negative plates and oxygen from the positive plates towards the end of the charging cycle, a phenomenon known as electrolysis. During the process of electrolysis, not only is the battery consuming water, but it is generating ignitable and explosive amounts of hydrogen and oxygen which escape through the holes in the vent caps. Flooded batteries have to be periodically replenished with approved water in order to keep up with the consumption.
Gelled Batteries vs AGM Solar Batteries
In contrast to this design, gelled electrolyte batteries are manufactured using a silica gel/acid mixture. This gelled electrolyte is semi solid. During the charge cycle, minute voids develop within the gel matrix to allow passage of the gases. However, because of the immobility of the gelled electrolyte, these voids (channels) do not always refill. Over time, these voids keep increasing in number and size. As the void volume increases, more and more plate area is left dry and isolated, progressively reducing the capacity of the gel battery. The electrolyte in the gelled batteries is not chemically bound and can liquefy under vibration or at high temperature.
Sun Xtender Attributes:
Charge Retention is at least 3 times better than the vented type.
Safe By design, Concorde Batteries produce less than 2% hydrogen gas during a sever overcharge (Hydrogen is flammable in air at amounts of 4.1% to 77%).
D.O.T. – Shipping non-HAZMAT Concorde Batteries have been tested by an independent laboratory and passed D.O.T. shipping requirements for hazardous materials, 49 CFR Section 173.159. Therefore, no “UN” labels are required (the “UN” label marks a product as a hazardous material). Concorde Batteries are not restricted for shipment by air or any other means of transportation, are classified as non-dangerous, are shipped fully charged, and are not required to have corrosive labels on their shipping cartons.
Recyclable After the removal outer cases they can be recycled by any smelter that recycles automotive batteries.
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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