Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries Technical Manual SONIC We've Got The Power.

Sealed/Maintenance–Free The valve regulated spill proof construction allows trouble-free safe operation in any position. There is no need to add electrolyte, as gases generated during the charge phase are recombined in a unique “oxygen cycle”. Power-Sonic sealed lead acid batteries can be operated in virtually any orientation without the loss of capacity or electrolyte leakage. However, upside down operation is not recommended. Long Shelf Life A low self-discharge rate, up to approximately 3% per month, may allow storage of fully charged batteries for up to a year, depending on storage temperatures,...

We’ve Got The Power.™ Battery Construction Relief valve In case of excessive gas pressure build-up inside the battery, the relief valve will open and relieve the pressure. The one-way valve not only ensures that no air gets into the battery where the oxygen would react with the plates causing internal discharge, but also represents an important safety device in the event of excessive overcharge. Vent release pressure is between 2-6 psi; the seal ring material is neoprene rubber. Terminals Depending on the model, batteries come either with AMP Faston type terminals made of tin plated brass, post...

POWER-SONIC Rechargeable Batteries Discharge During the discharge portion of the reaction, lead dioxide (PbO2) is converted into lead sulfate (PbSO4) at the positive plate. At the negative plate sponge lead (Pb) is converted to lead sulfate (PbSO4). This causes the sulfuric acid (2H2SO4) in the electrolyte to be consumed. Figure 1: Chemical reaction when a battery is being discharged Charge During the recharge phase of the reaction, the cycle is reversed. The lead sulfate (PbSO4) and water are electrochemically converted to lead (Pb), lead dioxide (PbO4) and sulfuric acid (2H2SO4) by an external...

We’ve Got The Power.™ Oxygen Recombination To produce a truly maintenance-free battery, it is necessary that gases generated during overcharge are recombined in a so-called “oxygen cycle”. Should oxygen and hydrogen escape, a gradual drying out would occur, eventually affecting capacity and battery life. During charge, oxygen is generated at the positive and reacts with and partially discharges the sponge lead of the negative. As charging continues the oxygen recombines with the hydrogen being generated by the negative, forming water. The water content of the electrolyte thus remains unchanged...

Capacity Capacity, expressed in ampere-hours (AH), is the product of the current discharged and the length of discharge time. The rated capacity (C) of a Power- Sonic battery (PS, PSH and PSG-Series) is measured by its performance over 20 hours of constant current discharge at a temperature of 20°C (68°F) to a cut off voltage of 1.75 volts/cell. As an example, model PS-610, with a rated capacity of 1.1 AH will deliver 55mA (1/20 of 1.1 AH, or 0.05C) for 20 hours before the voltage reaches an end voltage of 5.25 volts. By cycling the battery a few times or float charging it for a month or two,...

POWER-SONIC Rechargeable Batteries Figure 3 shows capacity lines for major Power-Sonic battery models with different ampere-hour ratings. Amperage is on the horizontal scale and the time elapsed is on the vertical scale; the product of these values is the capacity. Proper battery selection for a specific application can be made from this graph if the required time and current are known. For example, to determine the proper capacity of a battery providing 3 amps for 20 minutes, locate the intersection of these values on the graph. The line immediately above that point represents the battery which...

We’ve Got The Power.™ Performance Data Discharge During discharge the voltage will decrease. The graphs in Figure 4 illustrate this for different discharge rates and ambient temperatures. “C” is the rated capacity of a battery: “C” for model PS-61O (6V – 1.1 AH) is 1.1AH. By convention the rating of nearly all sealed-lead acid batteries, is based on a 20-hour (0.05C) discharge rate. For larger batteries used for telecom and large UPS systems (our PG-Series) the convention is to use a 10-hour rate (0.1C). An important feature of Power-Sonic batteries is shown in the discharge curves; namely, the...

POWER-SONIC Rechargeable Batteries Temperature Actual capacity is a function of ambient temperature and rate of discharge. At 20°C (68°F) rated capacity is 100%. The capacity increases slowly above this temperature and decreases as the temperature falls. Even at -40ºC (-40°F), however, the Power-Sonic battery will still function at better than 30% of its rated capacity when discharged at the 20- hour rate (0.05C). At any ambient temperature, the higher the rate of discharge, the lower the available capacity. This relationship is shown in Figure 6. Power-Sonic batteries may be discharged at temperatures...

10 We’ve Got The Power.™ Performance Data Shelf Life & Storage Low internal resistance and special alloys in the electrodes assure a low self discharge rate and, consequently, a long shelf life. If kept at 20°C (68°F), about 60-70% of the nominal capacity remains after one year of storage. Due to the self-discharge characteristics of this type of battery, it is imperative that they be charged within 6 months of storage, otherwise permanent loss of capacity might occur as a result of sulfation. The rate of self discharge varies with the ambient temperature. At room temperature (20°C (68°F)) it...

POWER-SONIC Rechargeable Batteries 11 Performance Data Battery Life (continued) Standby Use: The float service life, or life expectancy under continuous charge, depends on the frequency and depth of discharge, the charge voltage, and the ambient temperature. At a float voltage of 2.25V to 2.30V/cell and an ambient temperature of 20°C to 25°C (60°F to 77°F) Power-Sonic batteries should last four to five years before the capacity drops to 60% of its original rating. The graph in Figure 11 shows life characteristics in float (standby) service for ambient temperatures ranging from 15°C to 55°C (60°F...