What are the Different Types of Inverter Batteries and Which One is Best for You

 

A power inverter, or simply an inverter, converts direct current (DC) from batteries or solar cells to alternating current (AC). Inverters supply AC power to appliances that use this charge to function when there is no grid electricity. When used with a battery, it is known as a deep-cycle inverter.

In Nigeria, for the most part, inverters are used to power up appliances like light bulbs, air-conditioning units, and refrigerators or to maintain uninterrupted electrical power.

Having said that, different types of inverter batteries are suited to meet different requirements. For example, flat plate batteries, tubular batteries, etc., differ in quality and functionality.

Not every type of inverter battery is suited for every application. Below is a breakdown of the types of inverter batteries available and which one you should use.

If you are looking for the best tubular inverter battery, you can always rely on a Star Plus inverter battery for high longevity and supreme performance.

Types of Inverter Batteries
As mentioned, there are different types of inverter batteries, and each one serves a different purpose. The three most prevalent different types are Tubular Batteries, Flat Plate Batteries, and Gel or Maintenace Free Batteries.

Below is a short Star Plus battery review and general types of inverter batteries available.

Tubular Batteries
These, in effect, are lead acid batteries with Pb as the negative electrode and PbO2 as the positive one. It has Sulphuric acid as the electrolyte. Tubular batteries get their name from the positive tubular electrodes, which are, in essence, spines put under tube packets.

These batteries are heavy-duty, low in maintenance, and can be conveniently used in locations where there are frequent and long-duration power cuts.

They are pretty large, and thus you must always check the space you have in your home before you buy one. Also, they are available in different sizes and can be either short tubular or long tubular.

Short tubular, as the name suggests, are short in height and makes up for that in their width. And tall tubular batteries are taller in height and require a high ceiling space to be installed.

As stated, Tubular Batteries are generally low maintenance, meaning you need to refill the water as frequently as twice a year.

Flat Plate Batteries
These, too, are lead acid batteries, with the electrolyte being the acid. In most cases, Sulphuric acid is used as the electrolyte, and lead plates are used as electrodes. These are the cheapest among all the different types of inverter batteries; however, they are also the ones that last the shortest. Flat plate batteries can be conveniently used in areas where there is a steady supply of grid electricity.

Gel Batteries
Gel batteries are maintenance-free batteries that have silica added inside. They are of good quality, and as the name suggests, they require no maintenance whatsoever and can last up to 5 years or more. The fumes they dispose of are minimal compared to other types of inverter batteries and are non-toxic as well. For this reason, they can be easily installed in the interiors of your home. In comparison, other batteries need to be installed outdoors or at a safe distance from the dwellers of the home.

Why Tubular Batteries are the Best Choice?
From the above discussion, it might seem that gel batteries are the best choice for your home. They indeed have certain benefits over the other two types of batteries, but they are also quite expensive. They also do not last as long as tubular inverter batteries.

So, when all the pros and cons are gauged, a Star Plus inverter battery is the best choice for your home or commercial inverter. They are powerful, durable, and can be safely used in places with an insufficient supply of grid electricity.
 
Apart from that, tubular inverter batteries can charge and discharge at high temperatures and can easily power up heavy appliances. 

A Complete Guide to Gel battery vs. Tubular battery

 

Are you confused about the differences between gel batteries and tubular batteries?

For beginners, every battery derives its name from the electrolyte and electrodes it uses. Here is one primary difference - a gel battery uses a gel electrolyte, whereas a tubular battery utilises a tube-shaped electrolyte. But this is not the only difference!

Individuals use both the batteries as the inverter batteries at home, and the tubular batteries come with a different set of advantages. The blog will discuss the definitions of both batteries, their variant features, and which one you should opt for in your home to enjoy the best services. 

What is a Tubular Battery?

Tubular batteries are in high demand in solar power plants with their high sustainability. As solar plants have become more common, the need for solar tubular batteries has been high. A tubular battery features a negative electrode in the shape of a tube, and its positive electrode is of the regular flat type. The tubular design boosts the batteries’ performance to a greater extent. The name 'tubular' has derived from its shape. The structure of the battery resembles a row of tubes stacked side-by-side along with the length of the battery. 

Star Plus Tubular Batteries can operate electric vehicle propulsion, home power backup, and solar power machines. These batteries feature a low self-discharge rate that makes them ideal for solar power applications. Similarly, like Gel batteries, tubular batteries are pretty durable, long-lasting, and need minor maintenance. 

What is a Gel Battery? 

As we have discussed tubular batteries, now we will focus on Gel batteries. A gel battery is one type of valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery. The batteries use solid-gelled electrolytes, which reduce evaporation and spillage and attribute the batteries with corrosion-resistant features. 

In comparison to regular batteries, gel-based batteries are much more lightweight. The battery contains solidified electrolytes to keep the acid inside in a still form. Moreover, users don’t have to use water frequently to top up their electrolyte levels. These batteries also have a longer lifespan than the traditional, regular ones because the Gel inside can preserve the charge for a more extended period. Consequently, the Star Plus Inverter Battery features durability and can withstand a range of temperatures. These batteries can operate motorcycles, cell phones, camcorders, marine equipment, and even luxury cars. 

Now, let’s come to the broader discussion. 

Gel Battery VS Tubular Battery

In this section, we will discuss the differences between Gel batteries and Tubular batteries, focusing on their distinct features. Both Gel and tubular batteries provide power to various applications; but their fundamental differences keep them apart. In the below section, we provide you with an insight regarding the differences:

1. As the gel battery contains the gel electrolyte, in case you turn the battery upside down, the battery won’t spill in any case. The point is not the same for tubular batteries. Tubular batteries feature liquid electrolytes, which can spill if you do not handle the battery correctly.

2. The Gel and Tubular Batteries have low self-discharge rates; tubular batteries lose their power quicker than gel batteries. Where tubular batteries drop their charge by 10t-15% a month, gel batteries lose less, ranging from 1-3%. Comparing the power level of two batteries, bring Star Plus Inverter Batteries to your place and experience high-level electrical convenience everywhere, be it your home or office. 

3. Both tubular batteries and gel batteries need lower maintenance. In this context, where tubular batteries require low maintenance, gel batteries need no maintenance at all. Therefore, Gel batteries are Maintenance-Free (MF) batteries.

4. Due to these high-grade electrolytes, Gel batteries are costlier than tubular batteries. You can find tubular batteries at a lesser price with almost the same features and functionalities. 

Apart from these, Gel batteries hold a longer lifespan, lower weight, and shorter dimensions than tubular batteries. Tubular batteries are capable of high energy density storage in comparison to gel batteries. 

Which Battery Should You Choose for Your Home? - Gel Batteries or Tubular Batteries? 

You should opt for gel batteries if you need the best quality battery with high durability, a longer lifespan, and better performance. It will help if you remember that purchasing these batteries will cost a lot. Supposedly, you are not ready to spend so much on batteries. In that case, tubular batteries will provide you with a battery performance similar to Gel battery-level performance at a lower price range. Star Plus Tubular Batteries will serve you at their best. Star Plus inverter batteries feature designs that you can use for your home and industrial inverters that primarily use conventional tubular batteries. The exceptional design characteristics offer better backup for withstanding frequent, long power cuts. If you intend to learn more about the smart inverter battery for your home or other solar pieces of machinery for your household or commercial spaces, you can consult the professionals based on your demand and requirements. 

To Wrap Up, 

A tubular inverter battery supports devices with high energy requirements. Therefore, a tubular battery is the best option for inverters, and some may say it needs distilled water refill at intervals, but it is still worth it. If you do not intend to invest a significant amount in Gel batteries, you can go for tubular batteries without a doubt. Considering the features and characteristics, the users can choose the batteries accordingly. Consult the professionals to get further insights and suggestions.