本帖最后由 hunter 于 2020-3-31 20:38 编辑
Sump Pump Battery Buyer's Guide - How to Pick the PerfectBack-Up
By Jim O. | Sump Pump Product Expert
https://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/stories/1369-How-to-Pick-the-Perfect-Back-Up-Battery.html
Whether you like to beprepared or are someone who has had to clean up a flooded basement, youunderstand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In a power outage, sump pumps are useless without a backup power sourcelike a sumppump battery. But, with so many types of batteries on the market(and almost none labeled for sump pumps), how do you choose the right one?
You could, of course, skip the hassle and purchase a backup sump pump that comes with thebattery, but in case you haven't or need a replacement—read on.
What Terms Are Used toDescribe Batteries
When you're shoppingfor a backup battery for your sump pump, you'll notice terms being used like"deep-cycle," "maintenance-free," "marine," and"solar." But since they're used interchangeably to describe standbylead-acid batteries, buying the right one can be confusing. Now, we'll decodethe battery nomenclature that will help you differentiate one battery from thenext, so you can find the perfect type of battery for your sump pump.
Deep-Cycle Batteries
The deep-cycledesignation itself does not indicate the type of battery,but rather the battery's charging cycle, and is an important term to knowwhen looking for a sump pump battery.
These batteries are made for constant charging and discharging,("cycling") without rapidly degrading the integrity of the battery.Although they cannot deliver the higher current of a wet-cell battery, theyfeature thicker plates and are able to be discharged to a much greater degree.A compromise between these characteristics (higher starting/lower dischargingcapacity) is often "Marine/RV" type batteries.
Maintenance-Free Batteries
The term "maintenance-free" can bemisleading depending on the battery type. For wet-cell types, maintenance-freemeans these batteries are sealed and are sometimes valve-regulated (VRLA) inwhich the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the cells are reconstituted back intothe water, thereby reducing leakage and rapid evaporation. Even though they'recalled "maintenance-free", it really is a misnomer because they stillrequire maintenance to prevent the cells from drying out and losing theircapacity to cycle.
Types of Lead-AcidBackup Batteries
1. Wet Cell Batteries
The most inexpensive type of battery, wet-cellor "flooded" types are most commonly found in automotiveapplications. They do a great job in short bursts to start your car, but youwouldn't want them to power your sump pump for an extended period; that's whythey're often called "starting batteries". The only exception is adeep-cycle version.
Made up of acid-covered lead plates submerged in an electrolyte liquid,wet-cell batteries come in both sealed and unsealed versions. Regardless of theversion, both require periodic inspection to keep the lead cells from dryingout to prevent damage. Maintaining these batteries is a dangerous task asyou'll be exposed to lead, acid, noxious gas, and the risk of explosion.
2. AGM Batteries
AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat and is atechnologically superior battery, perfect for backup sump pump systems. AGMbatteries feature a unique design that encapsulates the lead-acid cells inglass fiber material that absorbs electrolytes (only enough to keep it wetrather than being completely submerged) and won't leak if punctured, makingthem relatively safe to use. The design also allows for the cells to be stackedcloser together allowing for increased energy capacity and faster chargingtimes.
AGM batteries are considered truly "maintenance free", meaning youdon't have to worry about the cells drying out and trying to add wateryourself. They do tend to be more expensive, but the many safety andperformance features far outweigh the cost.
3. Gel Batteries
A gel battery issimilar to a wet-cell battery, except it is filled with a gelled electrolyteusing silica gel. The small packets that come in vitamin bottles contain thesame type of material used in gel batteries. Also considered"maintenance-free", the gel will not evaporate, making gel batteriesideal in tougher situations where there are extreme temperatures andvibrations.
This is why they'remost often found in racing and off-road vehicles, as well as wind and solarapplications. However, since the gel design prevents rapid movement, ionexchange and peak current capacity are also reduced along with fast-chargingtimes.
How to Check YourBackup Battery
Even"maintenance-free" batteries need to be looked at once in a while tomake sure they will perform as they should. But, how to do you check asealed battery? The easiest way is to see if the battery has a sight glassthat will indicate low electrolyte levels. The other way is to check thebattery's performance using a multi-meter.
*Pro Tip: Regardless of type, you should never place orstore a battery directly on the ground. Doing so will drain the battery andshorten its life. Instead, you could use a batterycase, keep it at least 3-4 feet off the ground, and make a habitto check and clean your battery terminals per the manufacturer's recommendationevery 3 months.
Ready for theUnexpected
Now that you know how to pick the perfect battery for your sump pumpand knowwhen and how to get a replacement, you won't have to worry about it failing whenyou need it most.
If you have questions about specific sump pumps and batteries, the experts hereat Sump Pumps Direct are ready to answer.
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