Whether you live in a multi-storied apartment or a cosy cottage in a suburban area, a power cut can put your life on hold. From missing your deadline to ruining the live stream of your favourite cricket match, power cuts are really inconvenient and can hamper everyday work. However, with the advanced technologies and innovative inverters at your disposal, you can say goodbye to power loss during power cuts. One question that stays in everyone’s mind is how long does a inverter battery last. Short answer: an inverter battery’s life is dependent on a wide range of factors.
Keep reading to learn about this subject and know the different factors that can affect your inverter battery life.
6 Factors That Can Determine Your Inverter Battery Life
In general, you should change your inverter battery in 3-5 years. From the type of battery to proper care, there are multiple factors influencing the life and optimal performance of your battery.
Different Battery Types
- Gel Batteries: Known for their spill-proof design and high safety standards. Gel batteries use gelified electrolytes to produce energy and can last up to 4 years.
- Lithium-ion Batteries: These are the batteries that offer maximum performance while maintaining longevity. While they can be a costly affair, they offer a long lifespan of around 7 years, minimal care and a lightweight option.
- Lead-Acid Batteries: They are one of the most popular choices of batteries. Lead-acid batteries offer great performance at affordable prices. While tubular lead-acid batteries offer 4-6 years of performance with minimal care, flat plate batteries can last only 3 years and require regular water replacement and cleaning.
Frequency of Power Cuts
If you are in an area with a high frequency of power cuts for long durations, the life of an inverter battery in your house can be reduced by a fair margin. Longer duration usage leaves less time for the battery to get fully charged.
Maintenance
One of the key factors that determines how long can an inverter last, is its care and maintenance. If you take care of it, a good battery can offer optimal performance in the long term. This includes regular cleaning, inspections and any damage repair.
Depth of Discharge
DoD, or depth of discharge, refers to the amount of battery that is used at every cycle. The deeper the charge, the more load it can put on the battery, causing wear and tear. This reduces the lifespan of the battery but offers better performance.
Inverter Efficiency
Incompatible inverters can cause not only a waste of energy but also damage to your battery life. Inverters that require extra power will drain your battery quicker, placing more burden on it. Simultaneously, it can cause high heat that can damage the chemical degradation of the battery.
Weather Conditions
Harsh weather conditions, such as extreme heat or increased moisture, can really hamper your inverter battery life. For instance, during extreme summer, the rise in temperature can cause batteries to overheat and degrade much faster. Similarly, in winter or heavy moisture areas, the chances of optimal performance can reduce drastically.
Tips to Help You Improve Your Inverter Battery Life
If you are stressed after reading the list of factors that can affect your inverter battery life, then worry not. With some smart habits, safety measures and quick installation tips, you can improve how long do inverter batteries last:
Proper Installation
Ensuring a safe and proper installation process can do wonders for the life span of the inverter battery.
- Take the help of a professional to maintain a safe and secure installation process.
- Use compatible and high-quality wiring.
- Ensure proper grounding to reduce any short circuit or overload issues.
- Choose a well-ventilated area for your inverter and battery storage.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight, heavy moisture and heavy traffic areas in your house.
Regular Maintenance
Once you have installed the battery and started enjoying the benefits of an inverter battery, it is key to ensure regular care and cleaning of the battery.
- Once or twice a week, dust your battery with a clean, soft cloth to avoid the accumulation of dirt or oil.
- Regularly check the terminals and connections to avoid poor connectivity and a short circuit.
- Clean terminals to avoid the collection of corrosion. You can apply battery lubricant to prevent rusting.
- Check if your battery needs water refilling every 2-3 months.
- Inspect for any cracks, leaks or dents on the battery.
Avoid Deep Discharge
If you can, avoid letting the battery run out completely. In case of long power cuts, you can turn off heavy appliances such as AC, washing machines and TV to preserve power and load on the battery.
Follow Through on Any Battery Warnings
If your inverter is showcasing any battery issues or maintenance warnings on the screen, make sure to get it checked immediately. Running a damaged battery can make the issue worse and cause damage to your inverter, too.
Conclusion
Now that you know the factors that can impact your inverter battery life will help you preserve your battery for a longer lifespan. However, it is advised to get your battery checked for replacement every 4-5 years based on its usage, weather, area, etc. Power inverters have revolutionised our daily lives and helped us enjoy efficient power 24/7. While a high-quality inverter battery has a long lifespan, maintaining proper care and inspection will provide optimal performance.