#4 -13511 Crestwood Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 2E9, Canada
+ 1.778.776.3288
discoverbattery.com
1. Delivery and Storage
1.1 Receiving Inspection
•
Inspect for missing components.
•
Check against the shipping/packing documents.
•
Inspect each package or pallet for integrity and electrolyte
leakage.
•
Record receipt date and inspection data results, and notify
your servicing dealer of any damage. Take photographs if
necessary.
1.2 Storage
•
Store the battery in a dry, clean, ventilated, cool and frost-free
location.
•
Do not expose the cells to direct sunlight as damage to the
container and cover may occur.
•
Do not stack pallets on top of each other. DO NOT store unpacked
cells/blocks on sharp-edged supports. Storage on a pallet and
wrapped in plastic material (shrink wrap) is permitted except in
rooms where the temperature fluctuates significantly, or when
high relative humidity can cause condensation under the plastic.
With time this condensation can cause a whitish hydration on the
terminals and current leakage leading to high self-discharge.
•
Protect the batteries from any risk of electric shock from short-
circuiting poles/terminals with conductive objects or from the
building up of conductive dust.
•
Maintain the same storage conditions for all batteries within
the same batch. Batteries are normally supplied charged.
Depending upon storage conditions, storage time may be
limited. In order to prevent batteries from becoming over
discharged during storage do not store them for more than
3 months at 20°C/68°F, 2 months at 25°C/80°F, or 1 month at
40°C/104°F before performing a re-fresh charge. Failure to
observe these conditions may result in significantly reduced
capacity and service life (Sec. 3.2.1).
•
Record dates and conditions for all charges during storage.
1.3 Unpacking and Handling
•
Never lift cells by the terminal posts. Lifting cells heavier than
25 kg/55 lb should be made with lifting belts available for order
from Discover® or your servicing dealer.
•
Never drag or roll the battery!
•
The batteries are fully charged before shipment. Do not short
circuit.
•
Check for evidence of leakage. All cells or blocks with visible
defects should be rejected.
2. Installation and
Commissioning Charge
2.1 Installation and Battery Room Design
•
All electrical protective measures, devices, accommodation
and ventilation of the battery installation area must be in
accordance with all local rules and governmental regulations.
•
The battery should be installed in a clean and dry area and
protected against dropped items and dirt.
•
Avoid placing the battery in a hot place or in direct sunlight.
•
The location or arrangement of cells should result in no greater
temperature difference than 3°C/5°F between cells or blocks
within a connected string at any given time.
•
Avoid conditions that result in spot heating or cooling, as
temperature variations will cause electrical imbalances in the
battery. For better cooling and temperature management ensure
the installation allows for adequate air flow around each cell or
block. Keep 10mm/0.5in distance between cells or blocks.
•
The layout of the battery room or installation area must allow
for easy access to the batteries. The recommended minimum
distance between battery rows is 1.5 times the depth of the row.
•
Racks or cabinets shall be located 100mm/4in from the wall.
•
Be sure to provide adequate space and lighting for inspection,
maintenance, testing, and cell/block replacement. Space should
also be provided to allow the operation of lifting equipment
and for taking measurements (cell voltage and temperature)
during service.
2.2 Racks and Mechanical Stability
•
Approved and insulated battery racks are recommended for
proper installation. Calculations should be performed to ensure
that floor loading capabilities are not exceeded. Seismic forces
should also be considered.
•
The installation should provide for adequate structural support
and exposure to the minimum possible vibration.
2.3 Cells in Parallel Strings
Discover
®
Tubular Gel cells/blocks may be connected in parallel to
increase capacity, current capability and/or discharge durations. In the
case of each parallel connected string, only use batteries of the same
voltage, capacity, design and age.
•
The resistance and ampacity of the cables or connector bars
in each string must be the same, e.g. same cross-section,
same length and same conductor type (copper, aluminium).
In addition, each string should be equipped with disconnect
capabilities (circuit breakers) for maintenance and safety
purposes.
•
Discover
®
recommends a maximum of 4 strings parallel, up
to 10 strings is possible: If the following steps are fulfilled it
is possible to have more strings in parallel without reducing
battery life or cells/blocks getting out of balance if the following
requirements are fulfilled:
1.
The same voltage drop must be realized from each
string to the end connection (load and ground). This can
be achieved by proper choice of cable lengths, cable
diameters and arrangement for crosswise connection
configurations
2.
The connector cables for positive and negative terminals
of each battery string must have the same length
3.
The minimum cable size for the end connectors of a string
is 25mm²/100 Ah of C
10
nominal string capacity
4.
The end-connector cables (of the shortest possible
length) must be placed on a copper bar (bus) with at least
100mm²/100 Ah of C
10
nominal string capacity.
5.
It is a must that each string has a manually operated
switching device that also automatically opens or breaks
the circuit in the event of an over current (circuit breaker).
6.
Each string must have the same number of cells/blocks.
7.
Each string must be exposed to the same heat or
temperature potential.
8.
Always connect the individual series strings first and then
check that the different strings are at the same potential
before connecting them together on the bus.
•
Note: The combined performance data of all of the cells/
blocks will be realized at the end pole/terminal of each
string.
•
Note: Battery life or reliability will not be negatively
affected if this form of paralleling is done correctly.
•
Note: Parallel connection of strings with different capacities
as well as different ages is possible (the age and capacity
of the batteries within each string must be the same).
•
Note: The current during both discharge and charge will
