Datasheet
10
Valve Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
11
Valve Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
1 | Precautions for Handling VRLA-Batteries
(3) When using the batteries for the first time, check for rust, heat
generation, or any other abnormalities. If found, do not use as
it may cause electrolyte leakage, heat generation, or explosion.
REQUEST
(1) Since the batteries tend to lose a part of their capacity
due to self-discharge during shipment and storage, recharge
the batteries before you use them after purchase or long-term
storage in order to restore their full capacity. Check for the
following conditions before to recharge:
4. Unspecified Use
CAUTION
(1) Do not place the batteries in an unspecified use or they
may leak, generate heat, or explode.
5. Method of Handling and Operation
DANGER
(1) Do not directly connect the positive and negative termi-
nals with a conductive material such as a wire. Be careful
while using a metal tool such as a wrench and/or carrying the
batteries with metallic necklaces and hairpins not to make
a short circuit. A short of the battery’s terminals may cause
heat generation, an explosion or a fire.
WARNING
(1) Never dispose of the batteries in a fire as it may cause
them to explode or generate a toxic gas.
(2) Do not attempt to disassemble the batteries as it could
cause leakage of sulfuric acid that could cause injury.
CAUTION
(1) To prevent accidents from happening, change any battery
that is found to have an abnormality such as a crack, a de-
formity, or leakage. The batteries must be kept clean and free
from dust to prevent loss of capacity or accident.
(2) If any abnormality of the charge voltage or the discharge
voltage is detected replace the batteries with new ones.
(3) Charging the batteries with an inverse polarity connection
between the batteries and the charger could cause electro-
lyte leakage, heat generation, or a fire.
(4) Do not solder directly on the batteries’ terminal tabs. Sol-
dering directly on the batteries’ terminals may cause a leak of
electrolyte. Consult Panasonic when soldering is necessary.
(5) Avoid the use of the batteries differing in capacity, type,
history of use (charge/discharge operation). These differences
could cause electrolyte leakage or heat generation.
(6) Do not remove or scratch the outer tube of the battery or
it may cause an electrolyte leakage or electrical leakage.
(7) Do not allow the batteries to be subjected to any strong
physical shocks or jolts while moving them. Treating the
batteries roughly could cause leaks, heat generation, or ex-
plosions.
(8) Do not charge the batteries beyond the amount of the
time indicated in the specifications, or do not charge after
the charge indication lamp indicates a full charge. Take the
batteries off the charger if the charge is not finished after the
specified charge time. Over-charging can cause leakage,
heat generation, or explosions.
(9) Children should be taught how to handle and use the bat-
teries correctly.
(10) Keep the batteries out of the reach of small children at
all times.
Charging
method
Charging condition (at 20°C)
Constant
voltage
s2EGULATIONRANGEOFTHECONTROLLEDVOLTAGE
7.25V to 7.45V / 6V battery, 14.5V to 14.9V /
12V battery; Initial current: 0.1CA to 0.4CA;
Maximum charging time: 24 hours.
s3HORTTIMECHARGEISPOSSIBLEWHENSEVERAL
batteries of the same model, under the same
storage conditions can be charged in series.
Otherwise they can be charged separately.
Constant
current
s#HARGINGCURRENT#!
s#HARGINGTIMEHOURS
[Amount of self-discharge (Ah)/0.1CA] x 120%
s2OUGHESTIMATIONOFAMOUNTOFSELFDISCHARGEIS
as follows (for an example):
When the storage ambient temperature is lower
than 20°C, and storage time is known, assume
the following amount of self-discharge:
[5%/month] x storage months
s-ULTIPLYTHISBYTHERATEDCAPACITYATHOURRATE
of the battery.
s 2EGARDLESSOFTHEABOVECALCULATIONTHECHARGETIME
for a refresh charge must be less than 12 hours.
s7HENTHESTORAGEAMBIENTTEMPERATUREISHIGHER
than 20°C, please consult Panasonic.
REQUEST
(1) The cut-off voltage during discharge should vary depen-
ding on the discharge current. Do not discharge the batteries
lower than the recommended cut-off voltage shown in
Panasonic specifications or Panasonic technical handbooks.
Recharging a battery which was once discharged below the
recommended cut-off voltage may generate heat, resulting
in the deformation of the battery or in condensation around
the battery cover caused when moisture within the battery
evaporates. In addition, the efficiency of the battery would
eventually decrease.
Overdischarging a battery may result in reduced perfor-
mance. Always recharge the batteries immediately after
discharge even if the batteries were not discharged to the
recommended cut-off voltage. If the batteries are not charged
soon after discharge, the batteries performance may be
reduced due to the so-called “sulfation phenomena”.
Note: The cut-off device to prevent overdischarge should
cut off all discharge current including any weak current.
(2) Thoroughly study the charge methods and the conditions
of the batteries before adopting other charge methods
which are not shown in the Panasonic specifications or the
Panasonic technical handbook, for safety reasons.
(3) When the batteries are used in a cyclic application, it
is important to charge the batteries for the proper amount
of time. A timer should be incorporated into the charging
circuit that will disconnect the charging current to prevent
overcharging. Also, it is important to allow the battery to
completely charge before removing the battery from the
charger.
(4) Avoid parallel charging of the batteries in cycle use. This
may shorten the life of the batteries by causing an imbalance
in the charge/discharge operation of the batteries.
(5) Measure the total voltage of the batteries during trickle
charge (or float charge), using a voltage meter. If the total
voltage of the batteries provide an indication deviating from
the specified voltage range, be sure to investigate the cause.
If the total voltage is lower than that specified, the batteries
may lose their capacity because of a lack of sufficient
charge. However, if the total voltage is higher than that
specified, the batteries may lose their capacity by damage
due to overcharge and may suffer from “thermal runaway”
and other accidents.
(6) Switch off the equipment after use to prevent loss of
performance or shortened life of the batteries due to damage
overdischarge.
(7) When storing the batteries, be sure to remove them
from the equipment or disconnect them from the charger
and the load to prevent overdischarge and loss of capacity.
Before storing batteries, charge the batteries fully. Do not
store batteries in a highly humid place to prevent rust from
forming on the terminals.
6. Maintenance
WARNING
(1) When cleaning the batteries, use a soft damp cloth.
A dry cloth may cause static electricity which could result in
a fire or explosion.
(2) Replace batteries with the new ones before the end
of their useful life as determined in the specifications.
When the batteries near the end of their life (50% state
of their initial discharge duration time) the remaining life
will shorten remarkably. Finally the batteries will lose their
available capacity by either drying out their electrolyte
(causing increase in their internal resistance) or an internal
short-circuit. In such case, if the batteries go on charging,
thermal runaway and/or leakage of electrolyte may occur.
The batteries should be replaced before reaching these
conditions.
The expected life of the batteries (in trickle or float use) will
decrease to half (50%) with each 10°C rise in temperature
above 20°C. In particular, the life of the batteries will be
shortened remarkably at approximately 40°C. Accordingly,
precautions are required to prevent the use of batteries at
high temperatures.
CAUTION
(1) Avoid using organic solvents such as thinner, gasoline,
lamp oil or benzine and liquid detergent to clean the batteries.
These substances may cause the battery containers to crack
or leak.
REQUEST
(1) Keep the battery terminals clean in order to avoid
interruption in the discharge and/or to maintain the charge.
1 | Precautions for Handling VRLA-Batteries