Installation manual

 Consider fitting battery recombination vents to significantly reduce the need to top up

with water. Watering intervals can be as long as 12 months with such vents fitted.

 Batteries are not for anyone to touch. Sufficient security is required to prevent a child or

unknowing adult from tampering with them.

 Not everybody understands batteries. There are recommended safety signs that must

be displayed above your battery bank warning people of the possible hazards.

You should always take care when working with batteries. Burns, acid splashes

and even electric shocks can occur. If you do not have sufficient skill and/or

experience to install and care for this equipment you should engage a

renewable energy professional to do it for you.

Myth: The old myth about not storing batteries on concrete floors is just that - a myth. This

story has been around for 100 years, and originated back when battery cases were made up

of wood and asphalt. The acid would leak from them, and form a slow-discharging circuit

through the now acid-soaked and conductive floor.

7.2.1. Battery recombination vents/caps

Recombination caps can reduce the watering interval from every 3 months to once a year,

they are well worth the extra cost.

The recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is an exothermal process in which heat is

released. Wet cell batteries with recombination vents fitted will give the longest life (and little

need to top up with water) of any lead acid battery type. Lives over 20 years are possible

using top quality batteries. We strongly advise you size your battery bank correctly and fit

recombination vents as shown.

Some recombination caps are unsuitable for equalising charge of batteries and must be

removed prior to equalising them. If a controller is used with an automatic equalise function,

then take care to buy caps that do not have to be removed during equalise charges.

7.2.2. Battery explosion hazards

On a day to day basis the largest danger is

explosion of the gasses within the battery

and not within the battery enclosure.

Extreme care is required to avoid sparks in the vicinity of

the battery that might ignite gas and cause a fire or

explosion. Often too much emphasis is made about

removing the gas from the enclosure and not on good

working practices.