Types of VRLA Batteries
The VRLA battery is a lead-acid battery with a valve-regulated separator. As its name suggests, the valve-regulated separator limits the amount of electrolyte that enters the plate separator. Its benefits are maintenance-free, non-spillable, and cost-effective.
Maintenance-free
A Maintenance-free VRLA battery has pre-measured acid tubes that can be sealed and emptied without needing to be serviced. It is designed for maximum starting power and can last up to three times longer than a standard lead acid battery. This type of battery is also cheaper than lithium ion batteries and can be used for a variety of applications.
A Maintenance-free VRLA battery is made with advanced lead-calcium technology for optimal performance. These batteries provide long-term power and can handle a variety of applications, including motorcycles, ATVs, and personal watercraft. It is available in a wide range of capacities, including a 12V model.
The maintenance-free VRLA battery is more environmentally friendly than traditional lead-acid batteries. It does not produce gas emissions and is therefore safe for indoor use. It is also used in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) as a back-up power source. AGM batteries are more widely available and are widely used in many applications. Many suppliers offer AGM deep-cycle marine batteries, which are popular for their low maintenance and spill-proof properties. However, they are less cost-effective than conventional flooded cell batteries.
Maintenance-free VRLA batteries are made from the same materials as conventional ‘wet’ batteries, but they have one major difference. While a Maintenance-Free VRLA battery does not require periodic top-ups, it still requires periodic recharge. This type of battery is best suited for motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, personal watercraft, and marine applications.
Another key feature of a Maintenance-Free VRLA battery is that it does not require water to recharge its electrolyte. It is also leak-proof, and can be used in any orientation. It also has a relatively low voltage. The voltage produced by a Maintenance-Free VRLA battery is about 2.23 to 2.27 volts per cell.
Another benefit of a Maintenance-Free VRLA battery is its ease of starting in cold weather. Because it has a high reserve capacity, it is ideal for cold weather operation. The batteries’ grids are also corrosion-resistant, making them a better choice for applications where corrosion is a risk.
Non-spillable
A non-spillable VRLA battery is a popular choice in standby and UPS applications, as it is not susceptible to spills. These batteries are housed in a flame-retardant polypropylene (FRPP) container and are 2.5 inches taller than standard Group 31 batteries. They use a recombination reaction to prevent the escape of hydrogen and oxygen gases. This prevents the risk of explosions, and it is the preferred battery type for applications that require high rate performance.
Non-spillable VRLA batteries have an absorption and float voltage of 14.2 to 14.7 volts. Because these batteries are sealed, they are ideal for a wide range of applications, including vehicles and marine vehicles. The valve regulating lead acid system helps prevent the buildup of hydrogen and oxygen during the charging process.
Non-spillable VRLA batteries also prevent electrolyte from spilling during charging. When this happens, too much pressure builds up in the battery. In VRLA battery addition, the gas may rise too fast for recombination with water. In these cases, a one-way pop-off valve is incorporated into the body of the battery, which automatically opens when pressure builds up. Another important feature of a non-spillable VRLA battery is its ability to absorb water.
Besides being safer for the environment, a non-spillable VRLA battery also provides convenience. It can be installed in any position. And unlike spillable VRLA batteries, these batteries can operate in temperatures of -30 degrees to +45 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that they’re ideal for emergency lighting and power sports applications.
Another feature of a non-spillable VRLA battery is that the electrolyte is contained in a glass mat instead of inside the plates. This increases the surface area of the battery and facilitates an oxygen recombination cycle. Deep-cycle service is a common requirement for these batteries, and the deep-cycle float voltage is usually 13.2 to 13.8 volts.
A non-spillable VRLA battery has a relatively high initial cost compared to its flooded counterpart, but the benefit of its long service life, superior reliability and efficiency more than offsets the additional cost. This type of battery offers the maximum power density per unit weight.
Cost-effective
A cost-effective VRLA battery is one that requires fewer maintenance procedures than other types of VRLA battery batteries. However, these batteries still require routine cleaning and functional testing. They are typically used in large portable electrical devices and off-grid power systems. They are also less expensive than lithium ion batteries.
The life expectancy of a VRLA battery depends on various factors, including ambient temperature, charging attributes, and number of discharge cycles. Ideally, a battery should be charged at a float voltage that is equal to or lower than the manufacturer’s recommended value, and should never be overcharged or overdischarged. If an overcharge situation occurs, the life of the battery will be short-lived.
A typical lead-acid battery will last about ten years, while a lithium-ion battery will last twenty. However, a lithium-ion battery is significantly more expensive, and its cost is still higher than the cost of a lead-acid battery. Prices for lithium-ion batteries are typically between 1.2 and two times higher than that of their lead-acid counterparts. However, future technology improvements will likely reduce the cost of this type of battery even further.
A Cost-effective VRLA battery can last a decade or more under the right conditions. While flooded lead acid batteries typically need replacement every three to five years, a VRLA battery can last up to 25 years with proper care and maintenance. Compared to other lead-acid batteries, VRLA batteries also have a higher capacity and a longer lifespan. They don’t require cooling, which lowers overall utility costs.
A Cost-effective VRLA battery should be able to deliver a high-quality output without expensive maintenance. However, you should consider a VRLA battery’s overall cost of ownership before purchasing one. This will ensure that your battery has a long-term useful life. And, it will last longer than a conventional gel battery.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, the AlphaCell SMU-F battery is a top-performing high-capacity VRLA battery. Its Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology allows for maximum performance and a low-profile design. This is the most cost-effective VRLA battery on the market today. It is available in 12 volts and nine to 150 ampere-hours.
Spill-proof
The Spill-proof VRLA battery is designed to prevent accidental spills from affecting the electrolyte inside. This type of battery is often used in cars and large portable devices. It is also useful in off-grid power systems. Its main advantage is its cost, which is lower than that of lithium ion batteries.
The Spill-proof VRLA battery has an immobilizer built into the battery to prevent accidental spillage. In addition, the battery does not need to be refilled. The Spill-proof design means that even if the battery is inverted, the electrolyte will not spill out. The AGM construction of the Spill-proof VRLA battery ensures superior cranking power and resistance to vibrations.
A Spill-proof VRLA battery is easy to use and mess-free, thanks to its through-partition design and patented separators. The Spill-proof VRLA battery also has a long lifespan compared to a typical lead-antimony battery, and can store more energy.
The Spill-proof VRLA battery is an alternative to the flooded battery. Instead of water, the VRLA battery contains a gelled electrolyte. When charging, the gelized electrolyte recombines gases with water, ensuring that they stay sealed and do not spill. It is also maintenance-free, and will last much longer than a typical lead-acid battery.
Another popular alternative to the spill-proof VRLA battery is the pure lead battery. The purity of lead in this type of battery is not recycled. This type of battery is made to last longer and can withstand higher temperatures. In addition, some pure lead batteries are designed to last under five minutes. This means that they are better suited to the low-runtime applications.
This battery is ideal for emergency situations and other applications where spill-proof or leak-proof features are required. It does not have a negative impact on the environment. It is completely sealed, making shipping easy and safe. When shipped, these batteries do not leak, spill, or corrode.
The most important quality of the Spill-Proof VRLA battery is its ability to avoid sulfation. The CSIRO research showed that it had a high oxygen recombination efficiency, which diverts the charging current away from the recharging reactions. The study also found that aggressive charging regimes could not remove the lead sulfate deposits from the battery.
