Posted by Brandi Casey on 3rd May 2017
GNB Industrial Power is a world leader in valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery power for solar and renewable energy applications. With proven field experience since 1983 the Absolyte GP batteries are ideal for applications such as village electrification, telecommunications, residential power, railroad signals and navigational aids. In addition, the batteries offer extended partial state of charge operation, deep discharge recover, is freezing tolerant, does not require a separate battery room, has a recombination efficiency greater than 99%, and has a globally recyclable design. The batteries come in both single cell and stable modules and as an added bonus have simple cell replacement capability which is less costly than replacing your entire battery bank.
Part of the technology driving the life-cycle for
photovoltaic applications is the patented led-calcium-tin-silver positive grid
alloy which provides extended partial state of charge operation and allows for
deep discharge recovery. This deep discharge recovery assists the battery to
working at its maximum capacity and provide higher efficiency and power output.
In addition to being freezing tolerant, the batteries have a wide band of
temperature operation. The battery retains more capacity in cold temperatures
than traditional flooded batteries. In terms of high temperature conditions the
modular steel tray design provides excellent heat dissipation which ensures
that the battery works at its optimum performance in high temperatures as well.
These features provide added assurance to buyers that the battery will work in
even the most demanding climate.
Part of the difficulty of owning a battery backup system is keeping up with battery maintenance, and properly performing that maintenance. Most first time battery buyers will not properly maintain their batteries, which significantly affects the batteries power output and life-time expectancy. The single cell module design eliminates the need for periodic water maintenance. This is not to say that no maintenance is required, the visual inspections, voltage readings, and connection retorquing is what is still required. To assist in battery maintenance GNB Industrial provides Enhanced Post Access for maintenance and battery health assessment. Reading through the installation guide as well as the maintenance guide, although this may not serve as a riveting read, it is essential in understanding how to maintain your battery system.
Sizing your GNB Industrial battery bank is much the same as sizing any other battery system. However, you may want to refer to an electrician or seek expert help to ensure that you plan your system correctly. Miscalculating your system can result in a loss of power at best, and system failure at worst. It is important to take time to go through the planning phase prior to purchasing your battery bank. Furthermore, it is important to not expect large and heavy batteries to be delivered in a few days’ time. Typical lead time for batteries is between two to four weeks, and due to hazardous materials, most batteries are expensive to ship through less than truckload (LTL) freight. This further ties into making sure that your batteries are what you need, and the added benefit of GNB Industrial batteries, which can be replaced by the cell. This means that you are most likely to pay more for shipping of your battery system during the initial buying cycle.
GNB Absolyte batteries have a wide variety of offerings for its customers from its design to its maintenance. As with all battery systems research should be conducted on not only the batteries, but for your entire system. The high efficiency and low-cost replacement makes the batteries a fantastic long term investment for those interested in an off-grid or hybrid solar system.