How to Check the Health of an Inverter Battery

 

Inverters and inverter batteries are used in various applications to keep the power running when there are power issues like an outage. When the inverter battery stops performing the way it should, it drains the device’s power. It may also unnecessarily harm your device. So, knowing that your inverter battery is performing correctly is paramount. That way, you can determine if there is a fault in it and take the necessary steps to correct it. 

Thus, periodically checking the health of the battery is essential, and here is how to do it. There are different types of inverter battery, but the method for checking their health primarily consists of these eight steps. 

1. Charge the Battery Fully

First, charge the inverter battery fully to ensure that it doesn’t discharge during the check. This forms the first step to checking the health of your inverter battery. Use a charger to deliver a full charging current for 24 hours. This will make sure any fluctuations due to short circuit is resolved entirely.

2. Unplug the Battery

After the battery has been fully charged, disconnect it from the inverter and check for irregularities. Make sure the battery is free from any load connected to it. Also, it’s crucial to ensure that both positive and negative loads are disconnected to avoid accidental reverse polarities arising. 

3. Check if the Terminals are Clean

Check if the battery terminals are clean. Check for any dirt or grime on the battery terminals. If you find any, clean them with a clean and dry cloth. Clean terminals are important to make sure there is proper contact with the meter, which will lead to proper reading. A secure connection is vital to avoid discrepancies in the preliminary test. 

There are different types of inverter battery, but the terminals must be kept clean at all times. 

4. Check Acid Levels

A battery with good health has an optimum acid level in it. For a sealed lead acid battery, you can use a special meter to check the acid levels in different cells. This will help you determine any leaks or damage to the electrolyte solution inside these batteries. It also helps determine how much charge is left in the batteries for future use. 

5. Assess the Acid Color

Once you have checked the acid levels, you now have to check the acid color. You can use special test strips available in different colors showing different pH levels. The acid color and density should also be visually checked. The denser and darker the color, the higher the acid content. A battery with good health has a colorless acid. 

6. Check Voltage and Specific Gravity 

Inverter batteries are charged using a charger. A loss in capacity can be determined by verifying the voltage and specific gravity of the battery. Charge your 220Ah tubular battery fully and use an electronic meter to check the voltage and see if the voltage fluctuations are consistent. Too many changes in voltage can cause problems with the battery. The fluctuations in the specific gravity should also show consistent readings. It should not vary too much. 

7. Check for Faulty Connections

Sometimes, the terminal connections of a battery can become loose or disconnected and cause issues. To check, apply a low load current to the battery. If your 12v 220Ah tubular battery remains functional after this test, it is likely a connection is loose. 

It can happen that some components have been exposed to water or direct sunlight, causing corrosion at the terminals. Any component coming in contact with it also gets corroded, and in such cases where the connections are weak, they will not be able to carry as much current as they usually do. 

The excessive heat produced during charging and discharging may even damage the battery, leading to subsequent failure. 

8. Check the Surface for any Dust 

Check the surface of the battery for any cracks or damaged areas. Any impact or shock to the battery may damage the internal components and make it useless. 

Conclusion

It is important to make sure that your inverter battery functions optimally so that your inverter and appliances continue to function properly. That’s why checking your battery is important. Follow the above steps to check your battery health and ensure it’s running the way it should.