Design and Application Tips to Ensure Maximum Service

Yuasa NP batteries are highly efficient maintenance free electrochemical systems designed to provide years of trouble free electrical energy. The performance and service life of these batteries can be maximised by observing the following guidelines:

1. Heat kills batteries. Avoid placing batteries in close proximity to heat sources of any kind. The longest service life will be attained where the battery temperature does not exceed 20°C. (also see notes 3 & 8 hereunder). When calculating the correct float voltage setting, whether or not temperature compensation is required, full consideration must be given to the temperature of the battery and room ambient. For the purpose of the calculation, consider the temperature of a battery on float to be 1°C. above local ambient. Also, if the battery is used in an enclosure, the temperature gradient of the enclosure itself must be included in the calculation. i.e. The operating temperature of the battery is given by: Room temperature + enclosure temperature +1°C.

2. Since a battery may generate ignitable gases, do not install close to any equipment that can produce electrical discharges in the form of sparks.

3. When the battery is operated in a confined space, adequate ventilation should be provided.

4. The battery case is manufactured from high impact ABS plastic resin. It should not be placed in an atmosphere of, or in contact with organic solvents or adhesive materials.

5. Correct terminals should be used on battery connecting wires. Soldering in not recommended but if unavoidable please refer to us for further guidance.

6. Avoid operating at temperatures outside the range -15 to +50°C. for float/standby applications and +5 to +35°C. for cyclic use.

7. When there is a possibility of the battery being subjected to heavy vibration or mechanical shock, it should be fastened securely and the use of shock absorbent material is advisable.

8. When connecting the batteries, free air space must be provided between each battery. The recommended minimum space between batteries is 0.2 inches (5mm) to 0.4 inches (10mm). In all installations due consideration must be given to adequate ventilation for the purposes of cooling.

9. When the batteries are to be assembled in series to provide more than 10OV, proper handling and safety procedures must be observed to prevent accidental electric shock. (See note #15 below).

10. If 2 or more battery groups are to be used, connected in lengths of wires, cables or busbars that have the same loop line resistance as each other- This makes sure that each parallel bank of batteries presents the same impedance to the load as any other of the parallel banks thereby ensuring correct equalisation of the source to allow for maximum energy transfer to the load.

11. Ripple current (the AC component on the DC charge current). Ideally this should be zero, as it will reduce the service life of a cell/battery, the larger the component the greater the reduction it will cause. For example 0.1C Amps R.M.S. will reduce the optimum service life by a minimum 3%. Note 1) Ripple current can be source or load generated. 11) Ripple current can vary with load change and is often its greatest at part load.

12. When cleaning the battery case, ALWAYS use a water dampened cloth but NEVER use oils, organic solvents such as petrol, paint thinners etc DO NOT even use a cloth that is impregnated or has been in contact with any of these or similar substances.

13. Do not attempt to dismantle the battery. If accidental skin/eye contact is made with the electrolyte, wash or bathe the affected area/part straight away with liberal amounts of clean fresh water and seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

14. DO NOT INCINERATE batteries as they are liable to rupture if placed into a fire. Batteries, that have reached the end of their service life, can be returned to us for safe disposal.

15. Touching electrically conductive parts might result in an electric shock. Be sure to wear rubber gloves before inspection or maintenance work.

16. The use of mixed batteries with different capacities, that may have been subjected to different uses, be of different ages and are of different manufacturers is liable to cause damage to the battery itself and/or the associated equipment. If this is unavoidable please consult us beforehand.

17. To obtain maximum life, batteries should never be stored in a discharged state.

18. In order to obtain maximum working life, when the batteries are used in an UPS system, the following is advised:

(a) Where the D.C. input exceeds 60 volts, each battery should be insulated from the battery stand by using suitable polypropylene or polyethylene material.

(b) In high voltage systems the resistance between battery and stand should always be greater that 1 Megohm. An appropriate alarm circuit could be incorporated to monitor any current flow.