12
Beware of so-called maintenance-free
batteries.
These batteries have calcium
alloyed with the lead and hold the liquid
electrolyte in a sponge-like material. They are
sealed and water cannot be added. Do not
confuse them with true gel cell or AGM
batteries—they will not hold up well to deep
discharging and repeated cycling.
Gel Cell Batteries
Gel cell batteries are lead-acid batteries
similar in many ways to the common wet cell
battery, but differences in the chemistry and
construction provide some unique features.
• No Maintenance
• Low Self-Discharge Rate
• Low Internal Resistance
Even though gel cells are sealed
batteries, the battery compartment should still
be ventilated.
Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
Batteries
This battery is lead acid but maintenance-
free. The performance is similar to gel cell
batteries. The charge parameters are similar
to wet cell batteries.
Battery Selection
The most important feature to consider in
making your battery selection is to select true
deep cycle batteries rated in amp hours (Ah)
and sized to match your power requirements.
BATTERY INTERCONNECTION
In most cases, you will be using a bank
of two or more batteries with your inverter/
charger. You may connect batteries together in
two configurations—series and parallel—
depending on their voltage.
BATTERIES
Series
Connecting two batteries in series will
double the voltage of the battery bank. For
instance, two 6-volt batteries connected in
series will produce 12 volts. The amp-hour
capacity of the battery bank will be the same
as each individual battery. Example, two 6-volt
220 amp-hour batteries in series will produce
one 12-volt 220 amp-hour battery bank.
Series
+
+
+
Series
Increase Voltage
EACH BATTERY
CAPACITY:
220
AMP HOURS
@ 6 VDC
TOTAL BATTERY
BANK CAPACITY:
220
AMP HOURS
@ 12 VDC
+
+
_
_
+
_
6 V
6 V
12 V INVERTER
