How to Increase Backup Time of Your Tubular Battery During Summer in Iran?

How to Increase Backup Time of Your Tubular Battery During Summer in Iran?

Summer in Iran brings high temperatures that can significantly reduce the backup time of tubular lead-acid batteries. By managing temperature, optimizing charging, limiting depth of discharge, and ensuring proper maintenance, you can extend battery runtime by 20–30 %. This guide shows Iranian solar installers and dealers how to maximize summer backup performance using Lento’s tubular battery range (150 Ah–260 Ah, C10/C20). Implement shading, ventilation, correct charge profiles, load management, and battery bank sizing to maintain reliable power through long, hot summer days.

Introduction

As temperatures soar above 45 °C in many parts of Iran, tubular batteries in solar, telecom, and UPS systems face accelerated chemical reactions, increased self-discharge, and grid corrosion—all of which shorten backup time. For off-grid homes, remote telecom towers, and critical UPS installations, summer performance is mission-critical. Fortunately, a combination of site modifications, advanced charging strategies, and best maintenance practices can mitigate heat effects. This article provides a step-by-step approach to increase the backup time of Lento tubular batteries during Iran’s hottest months, ensuring your clients enjoy uninterrupted power when they need it most.

1. Understand How Heat Impacts Tubular Batteries

• Increased Self-Discharge: At 45 °C, batteries lose 8–10 % of charge per month, versus 3–5 % at 25 °C.
• Accelerated Corrosion: High temperature speeds up plate corrosion by up to 50 %, reducing active material.
• Reduced Capacity: For every 10 °C rise above 25 °C, battery life span halves; capacity can drop by 10–15 %.
• Higher Internal Resistance: Increases voltage drop under load, shortening runtime.

Recognizing these effects is the first step in designing summer-ready systems.

2. Optimize Battery Bank Sizing for Summer

2.1 Oversize Ah Capacity

• Aim for 25–30 % additional capacity above winter requirements to compensate for reduced efficiency and increased loads (fans, cooling).
• Example: If a household needs 200 Ah at 48 V in winter, plan for 250 Ah in summer.

2.2 Parallel Strings

• Use two parallel strings of Lento TGS200-12 (200 Ah) in a 48 V configuration for 400 Ah total.
• Parallel strings reduce individual string depth of discharge (DoD), prolonging service life and runtime.

2.3 Maintain Series Voltage

• Stick to a 48 V or 60 V bank for efficient inverter compatibility and lower current draw. Higher voltage reduces I²R losses in wiring.

3. Provide Effective Thermal Management

3.1 Shading and Insulation

• Install batteries in shaded locations—under solar arrays, roofs, or insulated enclosures.
• Use reflective roofing panels or insulating foam to lower ambient temperature by 5–8 °C.

3.2 Ventilation and Airflow

• Design battery rooms with cross-ventilation or exhaust fans to keep air moving.
• Ensure at least 3 cm clearance between battery terminals and walls.

3.3 Closed-Loop Thermal Control

• In critical installations (data centers, telecom shelters), install split-type AC units or evaporative coolers to maintain 25–30 °C ambient.

4. Fine-Tune Charging Profiles

4.1 Temperature-Compensated Charging

• Use a charger or solar controller with temperature compensation: adjust float voltage by –3 mV/°C per cell for each degree above 25 °C.
• For Lento tubular batteries (12 V nominal), reduce float voltage from 13.5 V to ~13.2 V at 45 °C.

4.2 Multi-Stage Charging

• Implement three-stage charging: Bulk, Absorption, and Float.
• Absorption stage should end when current tapers to 3 – 5 % of Ah capacity to avoid overcharge and gassing.

4.3 Equalization Charges

• Perform an equalization charge once every 6 months at 2.45 V/cell for 4 – 6 hours to balance cells and reduce sulfation, but avoid during peak summer heat.

5. Control Depth of Discharge (DoD)

5.1 Limit DoD to 50 %

• In summer, reduce DoD to 40–50 % rather than 70–80 % to preserve capacity and extend runtime.
• Example: In a 400 Ah bank, use no more than 200 Ah.

5.2 Load Prioritization

• Connect high-priority devices (lighting, router, essential medical equipment) to UPS or critical circuits on the battery bank.
• Defer non-essential loads (pool pumps, large motors) to daytime solar generation or manual switching.

6. Enhance Efficiency of Connected Loads

6.1 Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

• Replace incandescent and CFL bulbs with LEDs (8–12 W).
• Use high-efficiency DC fans rather than AC fans where possible.

6.2 Smart Load Scheduling

• Run energy-intensive appliances (washing machines, water pumps) during peak solar hours to minimize battery draw.
• Consider time-of-use relays to automate load shifting.

7. Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

7.1 Quarterly Inspections

• Check electrolyte levels and top up with distilled water.
• Inspect for corroded terminals and tighten connections.

7.2 Specific Gravity Testing

• Use a hydrometer to measure specific gravity; target 1.265–1.285 at 25 °C.
• Adjust readings for temperature: every 1 °C above 25 °C adds approximately 0.0007 to true SG.

7.3 Thermal and Voltage Monitoring

• Install battery monitoring systems or remote sensors to log temperature and voltage in real time.
• Set alarms for voltage drift or overheating.

8. Selecting the Right Lento Tubular Model

Recommendation: For Iran’s hot climate, start with TGS200-12 in a 48 V two-string bank for balanced cost, capacity, and thermal performance.

9. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Overheating: Never place batteries in direct sun or near hot equipment.
• Under-charging: Avoid long float periods at high temperature without proper float voltage adjustment.
• Neglecting Maintenance: Quarterly checks are non-negotiable in harsh climates.
• Overloading: Keep continuous loads below 60 % of bank capacity to reduce stress.

Conclusion

Extreme summer heat in Iran can cut tubular battery backup time nearly in half if left unmanaged. By oversizing capacity, improving ventilation, adjusting charging profiles, limiting DoD, and prioritizing efficient loads, you can restore and even enhance runtime. Lento’s tubular battery series—from TGS150-12 to TGS260-12—are engineered for deep-cycle endurance, high charge acceptance, and wide temperature tolerance, making them the best choice for off-grid solar, telecom backup, and UPS systems across Iran.

Call to Action

Ensure uninterrupted power throughout Iran’s hottest months. Partner with Lento for premium tubular batteries, technical training, and summer-ready system designs. Contact us today to plan your next off-grid solar installation or upgrade existing banks for peak summer performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why does high temperature reduce backup time?
   Heat accelerates self-discharge, plate corrosion, and increases internal resistance, lowering available capacity.
2. How often should I top up Lento tubular batteries in summer?
   Every 3–4 months, or monthly if DoD and temperatures are extreme.
3. Can I install batteries outdoors?
   Yes, if housed in a shaded, ventilated, and insulated enclosure to maintain ambient below 35 °C.
4. What is the ideal float voltage at 45 °C?
   Approximately 13.2 V per 12 V battery (temperature-compensated to –3 mV/°C per cell).
5. Do I need to equalize in summer?
   Perform equalization charges sparingly (every 6 months) and avoid peak heat hours to prevent over-gassing.