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ELECTRICAL
Battery Types
LIQUID LEAD ACID / FLOODED
The Lead Acid battery consists of a plastic container with
cells molded into it. Each cell contains plates, lead, and
lead oxide (various other elements are used to change
density, hardness, porosity, etc.) with 35 percent sulfuric
acid and a 65 percent water solution. This solution is
called an electrolyte, which causes a chemical reaction
that releases electrons.
When testing a battery with a hydrometer, the amount of
sulfuric acid in the electrolyte is measured. If the reading
is low, the chemistry that makes electrons is lacking. The
sulfur is now resting on the battery plates and will remain
there until the battery is recharged and the sulfur returns
to the electrolyte.
ABSORBED GLASS MAT (AGM) / DRY
CELL
The Absorbed Glass Mat battery is just like a flooded
battery, except the electricity is maintained in the glass
mats, as opposed to freely flooding the plates. Very
thin fibers are woven into a mat to increase the surface
area to hold su
ffi
cient electrolyte on the cells for their
lifetime. The construction allows the electrolyte to remain
suspended in close proximity with the plate’s active
material, enhancing both the discharge and recharge
e
ffi
ciency.
When Deep Cycle AGM batteries are not discharged more
than 60 percent, the cycle life could be approximately
a few hundred cycles. If you do not use or operate your
equipment daily, AGM batteries will hold their charge
better than most other types. In most cases AGM batteries
will provide a greater life span and cycle life than a Wet
Cell battery.
AGM batteries are also often referred to as Sealed
Regulated Valve, Dry Cell, Non-Spillable, and Valve-
Regulated Lead Acid batteries.
CAUTION
!
Use only distilled water to fill flooded / liquid lead
acid batteries.
CAUTION
!
Follow battery manufacturer instructions. Do not add
any liquid to AGM batteries.
GEL CELL BATTERIES
The Gel Cell is similar to the AGM battery because the
electrolyte is suspended; however, the AGM battery is still
considered to be a wet cell. The electrolyte in a Gel Cell
has a silica additive that causes it to set (gel) or sti
ff
en.
The recharge voltage on this type of cell is lower than the
other types of lead acid batteries, due to the likelihood
of an adverse reaction to over-voltage charging. Gel Cell
batteries are best used in very deep cycle applications
and may last longer in hot weather applications.
CAUTION
!
Follow battery manufacturer instructions. Do not add
any liquid to gel cell batteries.
For more information about Battery Inspection, Safety,
Care, and Maintenance, refer to Newgle.
Battery Bank Wiring
PARALLEL BATTERY WIRING
Parallel battery wiring refers to two or more batteries with
all positive (+) terminals hooked together and all negative
(-) terminals hooked together. This results in a battery
voltage similar to that of the individual batteries, typically
12 Volt, to boost battery capacity. Two identical batteries
wired parallel will provide twice the electrical storage
capacity of one battery, without increasing voltage.
SERIES BATTERY WIRING
Series wiring refers to two or more batteries hooked
together, with opposite terminals connected. The positive
(+) terminal of the first battery should be connected to the
negative (-) terminal of the second battery. The resulting
voltage is the sum of the individual batteries. For example,
if two six Volt batteries are hooked together, the resulting
voltage will be 12 Volts.
SERIES/PARALLEL WIRING
Series/ Parallel battery wiring is used on Newmar
units when four or more 6 Volt batteries are used for
the house battery bank. Since 12 Volts is the desired
working voltage from the battery bank, the batteries are
connected to provide 12 Volts with more capacity. Two 6
volt batteries wired together in a series create a 12 Volt
battery bank. Two or more of the 12 Volt battery banks
can be connected together in a parallel format to provide
more capacity.
In situations where multiple batteries are connected in a
series, parallel or series/parallel, replacement batteries
should be the same size, type, and manufacturer (if
possible). Age and usage level should be the same as the
companion batteries.
Battery Cycle Vs. Battery Life
A battery cycle is one complete discharge and recharge
cycle (100 percent to 20 percent, and then back to 100
percent). Battery life is directly related to how deep the
battery is cycled each time. The most common cycles
are 10, 20, and 50 percent. Be cautious of ratings that list
the number of cycles, unless it also states how low the
battery is being discharged.
For example, telephone type (float service) batteries have
been advertised as having a 20-year life. However, the
rating only stands true at five percent depth of discharge
(DOD), and the life span is much less when used in an
application where the batteries are cycled deeper on a
regular basis. Those same batteries are rated at less than
five years if cycled to 50 percent.
Summary of Contents for VENTANA 2022
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