National Battery Day
The humble battery has come a long way since it first appeared on the scene over 200 years ago. What would we do without these marvellous energy storage devices, especially in the current energy crisis in South Africa?
National Battery Day is celebrated every year on the 18th of February, and rightly so. Just imagine a world without batteries. Cellphones, Tablets, Laptops and even watches would not exist without batteries. Imagine a world where there was no backup power for an Alarm, Electric Fence or even a Gate Motor, especially in South Africa with all the Loadshedding. Thank you, Batteries, for keeping our world running.
Celebrate National Battery Day on 18 February with Uniross and Elvey, as we take a look at why it’s important to carefully select batteries for your chosen purpose.
Did you know?
The Italian physicist Alessandro Volta is generally credited with having developed the first operable battery in the early 1800s. Known as the ‘voltaic pile’, this device consisted of alternating zinc and silver disks separated by layers of paper or cloth soaked in a solution of either sodium hydroxide or brine. Fast forward 176 years.
Lithium-ion batteries were created in 1976, to provide a replacement to oil during an oil crisis. A team of scientists, including Stanley Whittingham, created a rechargeable battery that would charge quickly. Almost five decades later, we celebrate this wonderful invention, which is characterised by its low weight, high density, and its ability to work at room temperature.
In the world of batteries, probably one of the most significant innovations was the advent of the first Lithium battery. Way back in 1976, the first Lithium-based battery was patented by British chemist, Michael Stanley Whittingham. According to the official Nobel Prize organisation, “This lightweight, rechargeable, and powerful battery is now used in everything from mobile phones to laptops and electric vehicles. It can also store significant amounts of energy from solar and wind power, making possible a fossil fuel-free society”.
If it weren’t for this invention, we’d still be struggling along with old technology Lead batteries in our Alarms, Electric Fences, Gate Motors, and other security products. The introduction of Lithium batteries into security products has revolutionised the industry, particularly with the frequency of load shedding that our country is experiencing. Whilst Lead batteries were perfectly acceptable many years ago, they were never designed, nor intended, for the frequent usage and deep discharging that load-shedding demands from a backup battery.
Lead batteries used in a backup application were only ever intended to be called upon every once in a while, however, Loadshedding demands so much more from a battery, leaving many backup battery systems wanting. Thanks to the Lithium battery, this has all changed. A Lithium battery is perfectly capable of being discharged multiple times a day, as well as being fully discharged (100% DOD) without causing any long-term damage, making it the ideal battery chemistry for load-shedding.
What not to do with batteries
1. Do not short-circuit a Lithium batterySome technicians have been known to quickly short-circuit the terminals of the old technology Lead 12v 7Ah battery with a screwdriver or similar tool, to see the spark it creates, in an attempt to “check” if the battery is charged or in good working order. A Lithium battery, however, has a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) that will instantly protect the battery in case of a short circuit. It is so fast that no spark will be created. However, once the battery is in this “protect” state, the voltage across the terminals will measure zero volts and the only way to reset the BMS is to apply a small charge to the battery.
2. Avoid high temperatures
Regardless of battery chemistry, batteries in general, do not like high temperatures. Where possible, avoid exposing your batteries to elevated temperatures and specifically, direct sunlight.
3. Do not connect Lithium batteries in series or parallel
Please contact the battery manufacture before connecting Lithium batteries in series or parallel. The BMS is usually designed to handle a particular voltage and current. If you connect multiple Lithium batteries either in Series or Parallel and the BMS was not designed to handle the additional voltage or current, it may cause issues with the battery performance.
Some FAQs about batteries
We’ve got the answers to the following questions:
1. Can I replace my alarm battery with a Lithium battery?
Yes. In fact, a Uniross Lithium battery is ideal for powering an alarm, especially in South Africa, with all the Loadshedding. Frequent bouts of Loadshedding (such as Stage 4 &5), damages an old Lead battery very quickly. Lead batteries were never designed to be used so often and as such, cannot handle the repeated daily uses. A new Uniross Lithium battery, on the other hand, is perfectly suited to frequent use and can provide upwards of 2000 usage cycles without an issue.
2. Can I replace my gate motor battery with a lithium battery?
Yes, provided that you use the Uniross LFP12-7HD Lithium battery. This battery was specifically design to handle the high currents that a Gate Motor requires.
3. Why are there different batteries for my Alarm and Gate Motor
A Gate Motor draws a large amount of current in order to get the gate rolling. In order to be able to deliver this current from the battery, we need to use a specific cell and BMS which have been designed to handle this large current.
4. Is the Uniross Lithium battery safe to use?
Yes, Uniross uses the highest quality cells in their battery packs. In addition, they also fit a state-of-the-art Battery management System (BMS) to ensure safety. The Uniross Lithium battery has also been tested and certified by an internationally accredited certification company, so you can be assured of safety when using one of their Lithium Batteries.
5. How long does it take to charge a Lithium battery?
This is entirely dependant on the charger you are using. If you have a fast charger, its possible to charge a Lithium battery in as little as 1 hour. However, a smaller charger may take up to 5-6 hours to fully recharge a Lithium battery.
6. Can I use a Lead Acid charger to charge a Uniross Lithium Battery?
Yes, you can use a Lead Charger to charge a Uniross Lithium Battery, It will not charge up fully (approximately 95%), but it can be done.
