Inverter Battery Maintenance Tips
1. Install your inverter in a well ventilated area. The inverter battery gets heated up during charging and operation. An airy place reduces the heating up of the battery. It also reduces the frequent water topping requirement.
2. After installation use battery on a regular basis. When your deep cycle battery is being used to power a mechanism, the charge needs to be monitored so you do not find yourself without power unexpectedly. Deep cycle batteries tend to discharge about 45-75% of its capacity, depending on the manufacturer. So how do you check the charge of your battery? There are plenty of fine tools out there to help you out, such as voltage indicating digital monitors and amp-hour meters. Use one of these to check the current charge of your deep cycle battery. They should be recharged when they indicate a 50% charge, but never let them get lower than 20% to ensure a long life.
3. Protect your inverter battery from sulfation. Lead-acid batteries, such as deep cycle batteries, run the risk of sulfation if left uncharged for too long. Sulfation occurs when the lead sulfates crystallize, and your battery can no longer accept a charge. Once this occurs, it is generally too late to save the battery, as the battery is destroyed by expanding sulfate deposits that crack the battery plates, rendering them incapable of conducting a current. To avoid the risk of sulfation, fully recharge your deep cycle battery following a discharge cycle. Make sure to have periodic charge cycles to keep your battery healthy. Prevention is the ultimate protection against sulfation.
4. Keep the battery terminals corrosion free and rust free. If the terminals get corroded pour hot water + baking soda solution on the corrosive area or use a tooth brush for cleaning. This will remove the corrosion. Once the terminals become corrosion free, apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline on to the terminals, nuts and bolts to avoid future corrosion. Rusting and corrosion are very bad for battery performance. Rusting in terminals reduces the current flow to and from from the battery. This restricted flow of current results in slow battery charging which ultimately reduces battery life.
5. Always keep the surface and sides of battery clean and dust free. Use cotton cloth to clean these surfaces.
6. Be careful that the vents around battery are dust free and open. Blocked vents lead to hydrogen gas accumulation ,which may lead to bursting of battery.
7. From safety point of view, install the inverter at safe places in your home which is out of the reach of children or a less used area. But at the same time make sure that it is airy and properly ventilated.
8. Replace your battery if it is dead or damaged. Regular inspection will keep you updated on your inverter and battery conditions.
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