Conditions to Operate Stationary Batteries Under Deep Discharge Performance with Limited Time and Energy for Recharge

Stationary batteries will be combined more and more with energy sources which do not provide the energy continuously. In these cases the stationary battery must be able to perform many discharge/charge cycles and the recharge should be possible in a short period of time using a minimized amount of energy. The second demand produces a conflict situation, because as a general rule fast charging results in reduced charge efficiency. The demand for cycle performance can be satisfied by modern stationary batteries which are characterized by specific low antimony content (≪ 2 %) in the grid alloy. These batteries are on the market since 1976 and proved their ability in practice as well as extended field tests. The charging procedure has to be adapted to the special situation by choosing appropriate values for charging voltage and initial current with regard to the charging time. A minimized charge factor reduces both the loss of energy as well as the water loss of the battery; hydrogen and oxygen recombining appliances may support the efforts for low maintenance, but they are only effecting the water loss.