What is battery capacity?

Battery capacity is determined by the amount of electrical energy the battery can deliver over a certain period of time and is measured in Ampere hours (Ah) when discharged at a uniform rate over a given period of time.  Ampere hours (Ah) are calculated by multiplying the current (in amperes) by time (in hours) the current is drawn.

Amp-hour battery rating is commonly used on sealed lead acid batteries used in Wind and Solar systems.  

For example: A battery which delivers 1 ampere for 20 hours would have a 20 amp-hour battery rating (1 * 20 = 20).

Charging and Discharging Batteries

When a battery is discharged and then recharged it is said to have completed a battery cycle.

For example, if the battery is in a fully charged state and a load is applied (battery is used) then the battery will start to discharge, some, if not all, of its charge. When it is recharged it to its full state it completes one battery cycle.  This is important because battery life is determined by the number of cycles a battery can yield and thus the application and use of a battery can be determined.  

Battery Regulation

Batteries need to be properly regulated and our battery controllers (listed on our site) are superb.

Overcharging a battery raises its temperature, more specifically; it raises the temperature of the battery electrolyte, causing gassing, loss of still water and damage to the battery plates.

Obviously proper charge regulators are essential with battery charging system to limit charging current as the battery voltage rises.

Charge regulators are also useful in keeping a battery close to its fully charged rate as possible, thus ensuring maximum efficiency.

Connecting Batteries together

Series Connection: batteries may be connected together in series.
(+ Battery 1 -,  + Battery 2 -) The positive (+) terminal of the first battery is connected to the negative (-) terminal of the second battery, the positive terminal of the second is connected to the negative of the third, etc. The total voltage of the final battery is the sum of the voltages of the individual batteries.  The capacity of the battery is unchanged.

Parallel Connection: batteries may be connected together in parallel.  

(+ Battery 1 - )
(+ Battery 2 - )
(+ Battery 3 - )

The positive (+) terminal of the first battery is connected to the positive (+) terminal of the second battery, the positive (+) terminal of the second is connected to the positive of the third and so on.

Also the negative (-) terminal of the first battery is connected to the negative (-) terminal of the second battery, the negative (-) terminal of the second is connected to the negative (-) of the third and so on.

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