Abstract:
Rechargeable batteries are often used in off-grid power systems to enhance
uninterrupted power requirements. They have become popular in Sri Lankan
households in the recent past due to continuous power failures and many
people tried to move to off-grid solar power systems via rechargeable batteries
instead of popular on-grid solar power systems. Various batteries exhibit
different voltage and current characteristics during charging and discharging.
Secondary batteries can be charged using various battery charging techniques
depending on the application. Furthermore, charging characteristics of a
battery significantly enhances the performance as well as the durability. A
rechargeable battery has specific conditions for charging. When the charging
voltage and current are not in the recommended range, the battery performance
may be reduced, and sometimes the battery may be seriously damaged. Due
to the lack of centralized power networks, some on-grid energy sources have
been replaced with lead-acid batteries. The main objective of the proposed
study is to investigate the charging and discharging characteristics of lead-acid
batteries, experimentally as well as analytically using different charging
techniques. Three types of fundamental charging methods; (i) constant voltage
method, (ii) constant current method, and (iii) constant current/voltage
method, were carried out and analyzed in this study. Based on experimental
and analytical results, the constant current/voltage method is found to be more
appropriate for the battery charging process because it charges a battery
quickly while maintaining its health.
