Energy 18 – User Guide
5.2 Batteries
The vessel Energy 18 features four lead-acid GEL batteries, tested according to the EN
60254-1 standard with a closed construction of the cover, regulated with valves (VRLA)
and a gel electrolyte. The advantages of such batteries are:
•
no need for maintenance,
•
clean and environment friendly,
•
no leaks of the acid vapour,
•
extremely low gas leak,
•
safe use in closed spaces,
•
minimal level of self-discharge (less than 3%/month),
•
high number of charging cycles (600 cycles at 70% discharge),
•
closed construction of the cover with valves and recombination,
•
resistant to vibrations.
The GEL technology enables the recombination of gas. Thus, the hydrogen and the
oxygen which are released during the battery charging and functioning, reunite and return
into the battery in the form of water. During this procedure, 99% of gas returns into the
battery. The recombination does not affect the reduced capacity of the battery or its
lifespan.
Maintenance:
Thanks to the recombination of gas, the loss of water is very low. Therefore the battery
does not need maintenance or refilling of distilled water or controls of the electrolyte level.
This cannot be done without damaging the battery.
Safety discharge valve:
The battery features a safety discharge valve, which would open in the event of a pressure
build-up in the battery caused by a too large quantity of gas. However, this cannot occur
during normal charging and by taking into account the guidelines issued by the
manufacturer of the battery and the charger.
Self-discharge:
The average level of self-discharge at the room temperature of 20
o
C is less than 3% a
month. This means that a battery, which is out of use for approximately 16 months,
maintains 50% of its capacity.
Disconnecting the batteries:
In the event of changing the batteries or if the batteries must be disconnected due to
other reasons, this should be done in the following steps:
•
first, disconnect all current-using objects on the vessel,
•
remove both negative battery leads,
•
remove both positive battery leads.
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