[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Gansan

.... Avoid dry type / maintenance free (Korean) batteries and opt for normal type, ...

May I ask why you say so?
I plonked money for Panasonic VRLA batteries just last year; for the first time, as a trial run.
And if these work out well on longevity they can even go in the loft, hehe!!

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

May I ask why you say so?
I plonked money for Panasonic VRLA batteries just last year; for the first time, as a trial run.
And if these work out well on longevity they can even go in the loft, hehe!!

Anup, these batteries just last about 3 years as I found out. Tubular lasts a good 7-8 years if cared for. Ofcourse there are other pro's and cons, but in terms of longevity, i have been given to understand that tubular beats everything by a mile and more.

[Chipz]

Xingamaxon@ Microtek is good. Regarding the battery, if I am paying about 10k for a battery, I would like it to last at least 5 years. I dont mind checking the water in 6 months. That is why i prefer tubular batteries for home inverter. Even a local tubular battery last 4 years.

What is the use of maintenance free battery if we have to replace them every 3 years.

There is no great advantage in using VRLA battery for home use. It is much similar to flooded batteries for home use.

Check the battery specific thread for more details. Especially the posts from 2010, to get a better picture of the current models, and what people are buying.

Inverter is an household item which can give you headache for 3 years or peace of mind for that time. So better choose a better one.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadget...batteries.html

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

Hi Gansan,
Thanks for the pieces of advise.
Are the Exide SF Sonic batteries that type that you mentioned, I mean (dry type / maintenance free). Or are you meaning what people call as Tubular battery?
Is yours also 6oo vh? what is the battery make that you have is that Exide?

Mine came with Prestolite battery. Avoid it like the plague. The first battery went kaput when there was barely a month for the warranty to run out. It was replaced free with a new, slightly lower rating battery (I forgot the spec) and this one too conked out in exactly 12 months. This inspite of me checking and topping up distilled water once a month.

Now I am using Amaron Shield 600 Ah for the past 18 months with perfect peace of mind. I check water once in two months and it requires very little top-up, unlike the earlier ones. I don't think the SF is dry type.

As for life of battery, I understand it is counted as so many charging/discharging cycles. So if during summers power goes off and on twice or thrice a day even for short durations, the life goes down to that extent IMO. I was told it also helps if we switch off the mains and run only inverter power during thunderstorms.

Originally Posted by anupmathur

May I ask why you say so?
I plonked money for Panasonic VRLA batteries just last year; for the first time, as a trial run.
And if these work out well on longevity they can even go in the loft, hehe!!

Mainly because such batteries are not available from any reputed brands and come only from unknown Korean sources, hence an unknown quantity. Also because we don't know about their longevity.

I would like to clarify one doubt - is it true that batteries should be deep discharged once in a while to enhance their life?

[Chipz]

Originally Posted by Gansan

I would like to clarify one doubt - is it true that batteries should be deep discharged once in a while to enhance their life?

Inverters usually cut off at about 10.2 battery voltage. It is good to discharge to this point once in 2-3 months. It will increase the backup and life too..

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Gansan

....
Mainly because such batteries are not available from any reputed brands and come only from unknown Korean sources, hence an unknown quantity. ...

Well, mine are Panasonic.
Available in capacities up to 120AH.

[Aroy]

For those who think Exide is dead. .: EXIDE :. APPLICATION & PRODUCTS STAND BY
I bought Exide Inva Red 150AH and it is going strong in its second year.

This seems to be tailor made for inverters http://www.exide4u.com/exide/JSP/mas.../inva_gold.htm

[Chipz]

Originally Posted by Aroy

I bought Exide Inva Red 150AH and it is going strong in its second year.

This seems to be tailor made for inverters .: EXIDE :. APPLICATION & PRODUCTS STAND BY

But still it is semitubular. Do you think invared can outlive an IT 500, or any other tubular for that matter when used with inverter.

[xingamazon]

I was enquiring, around: found out these details:

It seems Exide have started making thier own inverter by name Chloride.
For 800 va 150 amp (gel battery): the cost works out to min of INR 15900
(excluding installation charges)

Is the tubular battery different from the gel battery or are both the same?
Is the cost good enough to be paid, my distributor says its the best that I can get.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

It seems Exide have started making thier own inverter by name Chloride.
For 800 va 150 amp (gel battery): the cost works out to min of INR 15900
(excluding installation charges)

Is the tubular battery different from the gel battery or are both the same?
Is the cost good enough to be paid, my distributor says its the best that I can get.

Chloride is one of Exide brands.

Tubular is the mechanical construction type.

Gel is semi solid electrolyte (used in sealed maintenance free batteries). Electrolyte can be solid, gel or liquid. Advantage of gel is that is does not leak out when the battery is tilted. Tubular batteries may or may not have gel, details will be given in the technical literature.

More information
EXIDE Gel Battery
Exide Gel

[Chipz]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

It seems Exide have started making thier own inverter by name Chloride.
For 800 va 150 amp (gel battery): the cost works out to min of INR 15900
(excluding installation charges)

Is the tubular battery different from the gel battery or are both the same?
Is the cost good enough to be paid, my distributor says its the best that I can get.

Exide chloride is a battery model. Have'nt heard of exide inverters.

Tubular battery is wet type, ie, you are required to top up or fill battery water.

Where as gel is a VRLA battery and it does not need top up.

Exide does have Vrla battery called powersafe, but you wont require that for home inverter

[xingamazon]

Originally Posted by Chipz

Exide chloride is a battery model. Have'nt heard of exide inverters.

Tubular battery is wet type, ie, you are required to top up or fill battery water.

Where as gel is a VRLA battery and it does not need top up.

Exide does have Vrla battery called powersafe, but you wont require that for home inverter

Chipz, thanks for that information.
Well thats what my inverter dealer says that they are into Inverters also now. Ok will check well again.
REgarding the type thanks for the info I will ask him if this is tubular battery also.

[xingamazon]

I did check with the inverter guy again, he insists the same details.
That Exide Chloride has inverters and that it started newly, he says it is the only brand to offer Premium Sine Wave inverters.
Additionally, the combination he is offering is with Exide Chloride Gel batteries.
Can someone say if this is good or not, I am very confused.
On one hand there is no information in the website about the Exide inverters, on other hands I am getting mixed respose about the gel batteries.

[Chipz]

Well. I did ask a Exide dealer and he is unsure about exide inverter. It is a new news for me too. What does he mean by premium sine wave. Any way I am not comfortable in trying new products in the market, even if it is a reputed brand, dont want to be their guinea pig

How much warranty are you getting for the gel battery.

For inverters, tubular is the best, but exide tubular 150 ah battery alone cost around the cost you quoted above for both inverter and battery

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by xingamazon

I did check with the inverter guy again, he insists the same details.
That Exide Chloride has inverters and that it started newly, he says it is the only brand to offer Premium Sine Wave inverters.

Even assuming they are entering the inverter market, it will still be a new, untested product. Are you very keen to act as a guinea pig?

Go for a tried and tested brand. I am happy with Usha Zentra. My cousin is happy with Whirlpool. A couple of neighbors have Microtek and Sukam. I have observed these for a couple / three years and all are happy. Better buy one of these. Remember to choose a good battery brand as well.