Lead acid batteries are excellent source of backup power for homes with solar panels or other renewable sources. They are also the preferred type of battery for off grid cabins and other remote locations. In this blog post, I will reveal the top five benefits of lead acid batteries which make them stand out among its peers.
Benefits Of Lead Acid Batteries
Discharge and recharge cycles
One of the top benefits of lead-acid batteries is their ability to be cycled regularly for years. Most lead acid batteries can be discharged to between 50% and 80% and then recharged without any issues. This is because lead-acid batteries do not have a voltage cut off point like lithium ion batteries. This feature makes lead acids ideal for solar systems. Discharge cycles are one of the main differences between lead acid batteries and lithium ion batteries. While lead acid batteries can be cycled thousands of times without issue, lithium ion batteries can only be discharged a few times.
Simple maintenance
Because lead acid batteries do not have any complex technologies, they are very easy to maintain.
Long shelf life
Many people worry about the shelf life of lithium ion batteries and whether they can last long enough to be worth the money. Lead acid batteries, on the other hand, are known to have a very long shelf life. This is due to the fact that they are made with a very simple and reliable technology. As long as they are kept dry, have proper ventilation in storage, and are cycled regularly, they can easily last for over 10 years.
Safety and reliability
Another top benefit of lead acid batteries is their safety and reliability. Unlike lithium ion batteries, which can catch fire if punctured or over-charged, lead acid batteries are relatively safe. However, you should still take the necessary precautions when handling them.
Affordable upfront cost
Because lead acid batteries have been around for a long time and are very affordable to manufacture, they are one of the most affordable types of batteries. Lead acid batteries are also much cheaper in the long run because they have such a long lifespan and do not need to be replaced often. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries are relatively inexpensive because they do not have any of the fancy features or safety measures.
Conclusion
There are plenty of reasons to use lead acid batteries. They are cheaper, have a longer lifespan, are safer, are easier to maintain, and are better for the environment. However, one thing to keep in mind is that lead acid batteries are a lot heavier than lithium-ion batteries. This can make a big difference when choosing a battery for your solar system.