5 types of commercial batteries used in power projects

It is important to choose the ideal battery for your energy project. Knowing the types of batteries and choosing the best one is essential to find the right solution to your energy use problems. This article will take you through four main types of batteries that are used in power projects and will give you an overview of the pros and cons of them.

1. Lead acid

Lead acid batteries are the oldest type of battery used. Until very recently, it was the only practical battery technology for storing solar electricity, according to Jpac Batteries. Lead-acid batteries are widely used in automobiles to provide the high current required by automobile starters. It is the same type of battery that you have in your cars, but the ones used for energy projects are usually much higher. This type of battery is also rechargeable, with a charge / discharge efficiency of 50% to 95%.

The main benefits of lead acid batteries include:

• The technology is mature, and they are so reliable for most energy projects.
• They are also inexpensive compared to newer types of batteries.
• Lead acid batteries are one of the most successful batteries in times of recycling.

The main drawbacks are:

• The lead-acid battery is large in size, so it takes up a lot of space
• They also have a low life cycle. Depending on how many times you charge and discharge them, they generally last 2-8 years at most.
• They have a discharge depth of around 60%, which means that after 60% of their capacity has been used, they must be recharged.
• They work best at 20 ° C or 68 ° F. If their surrounding temperature is higher, their performance and service life will decrease.
• There are also environmental concerns about lead used inside batteries.

2. Lithium ion

Lithium ion batteries are widely utilized in smartphones and laptops. They can also be used in electric cars. Lithium-ion batteries can be discharged more deeply and have a longer life than lead acid batteries. They have a discharge efficiency of 80% and have a useful life of 13 to 18 years.

The main benefits of lithium ion batteries include:

• In addition to the longer life and efficiency, the price is expected to be lower in the coming years as the production of this type of battery becomes easier.
• Lithium ion cells cause little harm to the environment and humans when disposed of.
• They are suitable for modern fuel gauge applications.

The main disadvantages of lithium ion batteries are:

• They are mostly fragile and require a protection circuit in order to maintain safe operation.
• The technology is not completely mature. If used improperly, there is a risk of causing a fire.
• Despite a possible price decrease in the future, the price of this battery is still quite expensive to manufacture.

3. Flow

Flow batteries are a relatively new type of battery that is emerging on the market. They are called flow batteries because they have a water-based solution of zinc bromide splashing around inside them, according to Jpac Batteries. 

The main advantages of flow batteries are:

• Their greatest strength is that they have a discharge depth of 100%. This means that they can be fully discharged in one cycle with no negative effects on the shelf life.
• They are suitable for large applications from several kW to even MW. When applied to solar energy, the capacity of flow batteries is quite promising.
• Can tolerate extreme weather conditions, up to 50 ° C or 122 ° F.
• When the power runs out, it is cheap to renew them.
• The electrodes used inside the battery also are environmentally friendly.

The main disadvantages of flow batteries include:

• The price is quite expensive compared to the two types mentioned above.
• Their lifespan is actually a little shorter than that of lithium ion batteries.
• Unless it's for giant applications, it's not worth it for smaller applications.

4. Sodium nickel chloride

Sodium nickel chloride is another new type of battery. Compared to other types of batteries, this is the newest and safest. The chemistry used within these batteries makes them quite safe and reliable.

The main benefits of sodium nickel chloride batteries include:

• They can operate from -20 ° C to 60 ° C, or -4 ° F to 140 ° F.
• They are fully recyclable without toxic or dangerous chemicals for humans and the environment.
• There is no risk of fire with these batteries.
• Larger lithium ion battery systems must have active cooling, but these batteries do not require an internal cooling system.

The main drawbacks of sodium nickel chloride batteries include:

• Its expected life cycle is around 3,500 cycles. While the life cycle of lithium ion batteries is between 4,000 and 10,000.
• It only has a depth of discharge of 80%, which means that the internal energy cannot be fully utilized.
• It is also quite expensive to use, even for large projects. Its cost per kWh is much higher than lithium-ion, despite the benefits it offers.

5. Lithium Iron

Lithium iron is one of the most recent advances in battery technology. Energy companies are especially delighted with its potential applications due to its different properties.

As Jpac Batteries points out, phosphate-based technology has much better thermal and chemical stability, making it safer than lithium-ion technology. Lithium phosphate batteries are non-combustible if mishandled during charging or discharging, they are more stable under overcharge or short-circuit conditions, and can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. When abuse occurs, the phosphate-based cathode material does not burn and is not prone to thermal runaway. Phosphate chemistry also offers a longer life cycle.

The benefits of lithium ion batteries include:

• More stable
• Good density
• Long life
• Economic

Interested in batteries?

These are the four main sorts of commercial batteries. If you are considering installing a power project for your business and you are not sure what type of batteries to use, contact our Jpac Batteries specialists for more information.

Roof restoration or replacement?

It can be a big decision to make the decision to restore your roof or replace it.

Cost implications are an obvious concern, but there are other practicalities to think about, such as what material to choose and whether you need to move while the job is done. In terms of decision, unless you have large sections of damaged roof, you probably want to repair what you can. If you're renovating a top repairman, have a really old leaky roof, or your roof has been badly damaged during a storm, then replacement is probably the best option.

Whatever your decision, a faulty roof can cause serious structural damage to your home and can even lead to expensive repairs. If water gets into the home, it can also cause moisture and mold to adhere, which could lead to all kinds of health problems - not something you need to deal with!

Let's take a look at each option in more detail

Replace or repair your roof?

If you want to change your roofing material or if your roof is beyond repair, a complete roof replacement is necessary. If you are expanding your home, it may be worth replacing the entire roof to maintain continuity throughout your home, although this is not required.

If your roof is generally in good condition, you may be able to save a lot of money by repairing the areas that need special attention. Remember, though, that doing too many one-off repairs can make your ceiling look like a patchwork of uneven areas and it can look pretty unsightly - not that you see it very often.

What is roof restoration?

Roof restoration involves the repair of damaged roofs and may include:

• Coating of ridges and pediments
• Replacement of mosaics
• Pressure cleaning
• Elimination of fungus or mold
• Apply a waterproof sealer
• Gutter repair
• Apply a roof membrane
• Replacement flashing
• Replacement of individual shingles or sheets

For a shingle roof, you may need to replace individual shingles or trim and reposition the ridge shingles. In the case of a metal roof, a leak is repaired or an entire sheet of roof sheeting may be required to be replaced. The surface is then normally cleaned, sealed, and repainted.

What roof should I choose?

If you are replacing your entire roof, it is worth finding out what other materials are available. There could be a cheaper, quieter, and more attractive option than your current roof. The most common roofing materials are:

Metal or steel roofing, also known as Colorbond. It is a very durable, fire resistant material and can be painted in any number of colors. It should also come with a warranty of at least 25 years. If you want to know how to choose the right colorbond roofing colour, contact us today!

With the tile roofs you have a wide variety of terracotta, concrete or slate. All of these are fireproof, making them a good choice in areas prone to wildfires. Concrete tiles are extremely durable and should last at least 50 years. Slate is also extremely durable and will not fade, crack or discolor and can last over a century if installed properly. It is ideal to use when you want your ceiling to be a feature.

Which roof is the most profitable?

In terms of price, concrete tiles are the cheapest, followed by steel with clay / stone tiles at the higher end of the scale. Compared to shingles, metal roofs are more affordable to install and easier to maintain. However, there are also aesthetic factors to consider when choosing your roofing material.

To get a rough idea of ​​the cost, you can expect to pay between $ 80 and $ 110 per square foot for the removal and disposal of your old roof and a new replacement. To remove and replace your roof (for an average size 3-bedroom family home), expect to pay in the region of:

• $ 6,000 to $ 10,000 to replace an existing metal skill roof with Colorbond
• $ 20,000 to replace existing tiles with Colorbond
• $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 to replace an existing fiber cement roof with Colorbond

Factors that will affect the total cost of your roofing work include:

• Access to your roof and / or property
• The height and slope of your ceiling
• The size of your roof

Hire a roofer

Replacing and repairing the roof is not an easy DIY project; in fact, it can be really dangerous. Hiring a professional is advisable, and in many cases you need to use a licensed roofer. In NSW there are a variety of licenses your dealer may have, including roofing and siding, roofing plumbing, shingles or roof tiles. When it comes to hiring a roofer in Newcastle, make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask include:

• Are you licensed?
• Do you have valid insurance?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long is the warranty on your materials?
• Do you have references I can follow?

And no matter the size of your roofing job, always ask for a detailed quote.

Get quotes for roof replacement

The easiest way to get an accurate idea of ​​your roof replacement or restoration costs is to get quotes from at least 3 roofing contractors in your local area or get quotes from local roof repairmen. Roofing repairmen can give more accurate quotes if they have more details to go on, but they may have to go to a site to give an accurate quote. This will give you an idea of ​​what the market rates are currently. You can then compare them by reputation, experience, and price. Contact Amazing Roof Restoration today!

How to maintain a motorcycle?

Taking care of your motorcycle is taking care of your own safety so there is no excuse for you to always have it in perfect condition and know how to maintain your motorcycle.

In addition to the maintenance and reviews that each brand advises for its motorcycles every certain number of miles, which will make you go through a workshop, its good condition on a day-to-day basis is your responsibility.

There are a series of cautions on how to maintain your motorcycle that you must take into account throughout the year and some especially important for a good maintenance of your motorcycle in harsh winters.

Every month of the year, and even more frequently if you travel many miles with your motorcycle every day, you have to stop for a few moments to check the following.

Cleaning

First things first and for a motorcycle to be healthy it has to be clean, in addition to being more beautiful, you can better check that everything is as it should and discover faults more easily. How to wash a motorcycle is simple, do it in the shade, with water, mild soapy products, sponges and you can even use a toothbrush to reach the smallest and most hidden corners. Once washed, dry it and circulate with it a little so that it releases the remaining water better before leaving it standing again.

The tires

It is important to inspect and maintain the tires. Not only if the drawing is sufficient and how is its wear, but it is also very important to control the air pressure. On a motorcycle, correct inflation is essential and greatly influences the behavior of the motorcycle while running, which is neither above nor below, but just at the pressure indicated by the manufacturer and check it when cold.

Chain

If your motorcycle has a chain drive, and not a belt or cardan, it requires special maintenance. To maintain the chain well, it is very important that it is always well greased and its tension is correct, that when raising and lowering it, it moves approximately one inch up and down, you can easily tension it at home without much difficulty acting on the tensioning bolts that you will see at the end of the swing arm and will make the wheel move backwards.

The breaks

If your motorcycle has disc brakes, you should check the fluid level by looking at the tanks, as well as ensuring that the circuit does not have leaks. If it is a drum, it regulates the tension of the cable until the touch and braking are adequate. Exactly the same happens with clutches, both hydraulic and mechanical by cable. In a disk brake you'll easily control the wear of the pads, you need to do it regularly so as not to damage the discs.

Lights

That the headlight burns out and we can't see at night is dangerous but easy to realize, however the rear light can burn out and go days and days without us discovering it. Just as important is to see how to be seen, check every week that the rear light works, do the same with the turn signals and test the horn from time to time, do not go to discover that it does not work when you need it most.

Coolant

If the engine of your motorcycle is cooled by liquid and not by air it is important to check the coolant level. You should see that the level in the expansion vessel is between the maximum and minimum. With experience, it can be easily filled and replaced at home, but remember that you should never open the radiator cap while hot, you could suffer serious burns.

Oil

In most motorcycles it is very easy to check the engine oil level and although changing it requires more experience, it is something that we can also do at home. There are two main systems for checking the oil level: either by porthole or by dipstick. The first is a small round glass window where we see how far the oil reaches and the second a dipstick, normally attached to the cap itself, which indicates the level when it is inserted cleanly and removed again, seeing how far it has been stained with oil. Each model may require looking at the oil in a different way, consult the user manual to do it correctly.

Contact your local motorcycle servicing

The customer service experience we offer at Singleton Bike Shop is second to none. we offer a variety of service offers for your motorcycles to make sure that they're working at their full potential. Not getting your motorbike checked regularly may be a safety risk and a possible hazard to your life. By actively getting your bike checked and serviced you're improving the endurance and longevity of the vehicle and make sure that you won`t be wasting any time or money.

Not only can we do repair jobs we are able to also fit custom accessories and electronics to your bikes like lights and stereos. a local technician could be a great advantage to maintaining your bike so that you'll be able to be explained the difficulty and have the bike fixed and collected in a jiffy. Contact us today!