Small-capacity valve-regulated lead/acid battery with long life at high ambient temperature

Valve-regulated lead/acid (VRLA) batteries are widely used as back-up power sources for telecommunications and UPS. These applications require high-reliability under severe environmental conditions. To meet this demand, the authorsʹ company have developed small capacity (12 V, 15–65 A h at C20/20 rate), long-life VRLA batteries which can endure high ambient temperature. These batteries make use of a new alloy and grid design which has improved resistance to corrosion at the positive plate, while at the same time reduce float current at high temperature. As a result, these batteries have a life expectancy of 13 years at 25°C, and inhibited thermal runaway even under ambient temperatures up to 75°C. The batteries can be installed in outdoor and underground environments.