batt:batteries

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batt:batteries [2026/03/16 15:54] – Simon Grantbatt:batteries [2026/04/04 12:43] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Batteries+This topic is part of [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. 
 +====== Batteries ======
  
  
-![](wiki:batteries.jpg)+![](batt:batteries.jpg)
  
 --- ---
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-## What are batteries?+===== What are batteries? =====
  
 Batteries are units containing various combinations of metals and chemicals, between which occur reversible chemical reactions to store and then provide electrical power on demand. Some of the metals and chemicals can be quite nasty and toxic (e.g. cadmium). Batteries are units containing various combinations of metals and chemicals, between which occur reversible chemical reactions to store and then provide electrical power on demand. Some of the metals and chemicals can be quite nasty and toxic (e.g. cadmium).
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 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
-### Lead-acid batteries+==== Lead-acid batteries ====
  
 Lead-acid cells are built to many differing formats, are commonly used in industry and form the heart of many off-grid, or hybrid renewable energy systems. The lead-acid battery is still popular, because of its affordability, availability, and the fact that it is so robust if looked after properly. Lead-acid cells are built to many differing formats, are commonly used in industry and form the heart of many off-grid, or hybrid renewable energy systems. The lead-acid battery is still popular, because of its affordability, availability, and the fact that it is so robust if looked after properly.
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-### Lithium-ion batteries+==== Lithium-ion batteries ====
  
 Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, but are becoming more popular, as they are used in electric vehicles, and in ‘power walls’ (units, about the size of large storage heaters, comprising a lithium battery pack, a charger, an inverter and some software to control it), that can be added to a home power system. Power is stored during the daytime, and then used in conjunction with a power-sharing inverter to provide electricity to the home in the evening (lead-acid batteries can be used in the same way, but you’d have to set up a separate charger and inverter yourself. In a power wall, it’s all there already). Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, but are becoming more popular, as they are used in electric vehicles, and in ‘power walls’ (units, about the size of large storage heaters, comprising a lithium battery pack, a charger, an inverter and some software to control it), that can be added to a home power system. Power is stored during the daytime, and then used in conjunction with a power-sharing inverter to provide electricity to the home in the evening (lead-acid batteries can be used in the same way, but you’d have to set up a separate charger and inverter yourself. In a power wall, it’s all there already).
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-## What are the benefits of batteries?+===== What are the benefits of batteries? =====
  
 The main benefit of batteries is for people who wish to generate and use their own electrical power whether on or off grid. If you’re building a renewable electricity system, you’re not looking to use electricity as it’s generated – the [sun](/soel/solar_electricity) won’t be shining all the time, and the [wind](/wind/wind_generators) won’t be blowing all the time (although if you’ve got [micro-hydro](/mhdr/micro-hydro), your stream is probably going to be flowing all the time), and you’re going to want more electricity at some times than others. So you’ll need to store your electricity. The main benefit of batteries is for people who wish to generate and use their own electrical power whether on or off grid. If you’re building a renewable electricity system, you’re not looking to use electricity as it’s generated – the [sun](/soel/solar_electricity) won’t be shining all the time, and the [wind](/wind/wind_generators) won’t be blowing all the time (although if you’ve got [micro-hydro](/mhdr/micro-hydro), your stream is probably going to be flowing all the time), and you’re going to want more electricity at some times than others. So you’ll need to store your electricity.
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 First, do your sums – work out how much storage you need. Battery capacity is based on amp-hours and volts. Here’s an example that will (hopefully) make this a bit clearer: a 12-volt bulb drawing 1 amp from a 12-volt battery will draw 1 amp-hour per hour. So if you have a 50 amp-hour battery, then theoretically you should be able to run the bulb for 50 hours before the battery is completely flat. But – you should not discharge a battery below 50% of its capacity, or you will create serious imbalances within the battery over a relatively short period of time. So, in this case – a 12-volt bulb drawing 1 amp – you can safely run for 25 hours with a fully-charged battery. First, do your sums – work out how much storage you need. Battery capacity is based on amp-hours and volts. Here’s an example that will (hopefully) make this a bit clearer: a 12-volt bulb drawing 1 amp from a 12-volt battery will draw 1 amp-hour per hour. So if you have a 50 amp-hour battery, then theoretically you should be able to run the bulb for 50 hours before the battery is completely flat. But – you should not discharge a battery below 50% of its capacity, or you will create serious imbalances within the battery over a relatively short period of time. So, in this case – a 12-volt bulb drawing 1 amp – you can safely run for 25 hours with a fully-charged battery.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/power). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Off-grid solar battery sizing calculator](https://www.altestore.com/pages/off-grid-solar-system-sizing-calculator) - [Off-grid solar battery sizing calculator](https://www.altestore.com/pages/off-grid-solar-system-sizing-calculator)
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 - [The 12-volt side of life](http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm) - lots of info on 12-volt batteries and charging - [The 12-volt side of life](http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm) - lots of info on 12-volt batteries and charging
  
-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [Sail boats](sail:sail_boats) - [Sail boats](sail:sail_boats)
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 - [Micro-hydro](mhdr:micro-hydro) - [Micro-hydro](mhdr:micro-hydro)
  
-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
 {{tag>[energy]}} {{tag>[energy]}}
  
  
  • batt/batteries.1773676474.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/03/16 15:54
  • by Simon Grant