Car Battery for Solar (Why Batteries Fail! – Best Solution)

Such a configuration creates a high Cold Cranking Amps rating on car batteries.

The Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) defines the number of amps the battery can provide for 30 seconds while maintaining at least 7.2 volts.

The range for this value is usually between CCA 300 to CCA 600. While most car batteries do not specify an Amp Hour rating, the average range is 60 – 70 amps at 20 hours.

Deep Cycle Batteries are designed to produce a lower current for a long period. They use fewer, thicker lead sheets to create a smaller, more stable, longer-lasting surface area. This configuration provides the higher Amp Hour rating required in deep-cycle batteries.

The Amp Hour (Ah@20hr) rating of Deep Cycle batteries ranges from 100 to 400 amps @ 20 hours. The battery will provide the specified number of amps for 20 hours.

Why Batteries Fail

All batteries experience normal wear. A car battery in a solar application suffers faster normal wear since the plates are not designed to provide prolonged current. There are two basic wear factors.

Normal Wear

• Sludge
• Positive Grid Corrosion

The lead plates shed small flakes during charge/discharge cycles. The material will eventually wear away as lead is shed from positive plates, causing an open connection.

At the same time, the lead being shed falls to the bottom of the battery case as a brown sludge.

If material builds up enough, it can bridge several plates causing an internal short. Both of these conditions will result in a dead battery.

Battery Care and Maintenance

Flooded Lead Acid batteries’ life depends on regular care and maintenance. There are three basic maintenance factors.

• Water Level
• Proper Charging
• Deep Discharge

All batteries can suffer from these factors. Deep discharge is the greatest enemy of even a well-maintained car battery.

Prolonged load on a car battery can not only cause accelerated wear but can also cause plate damage. Plates can overheat and warp. This will cause an instant failure of the battery.

What Battery Do You Need For Solar Panels?

Since reading this article, you have probably been looking at batteries. You have noticed a wide variety of batteries on the market. Many of these are special-use batteries and can be easily eliminated from your search.

Are Car Batteries Good For Solar Panels

Car batteries are not suited for solar applications. I must confess that they do have a small range of use.

Car batteries are perfectly suited for light-duty solar applications.

I use a car battery for a solar garage door opener system. The car battery is suited for such an application because it draws a fairly high current a few times a day for a short period.

PROS

• Inexpensive
• Saves space
• Availability
• Usually 12 volts

CONS

• Low Amp Hour rating
• Short lifespan (2-3 years)
• Light duty only
• Potential for damage
• Limited uses

Top rated car battery from Amazon;

Multi-Purpose batteries

Another style of lead-acid battery is the Multi-Purpose battery. As you might suspect, they are a sort of hybrid battery.

They are the same size and voltage as a car battery but are designed to produce current for a longer period without damage.

The CCA ratings tend to be lower than a typical car battery. The Ah rating of these batteries generally remains in the 60 – 70 Ah @ 20-hour rate.

Such a battery may be a better option for a light-duty solar system.

PROS

• Inexpensive
• Saves space
• Usually 12 volts
• Better lifespan (3-5 years)

CONS

• Low Amp Hour rating
• Light duty only
• Limited uses
• Can be hard to find

Deep Cycle Batteries

Deep Cycle batteries are the best option for a real solar power application.

Designed to withstand repeated deep discharge, recharge, and prolonged current draw, these batteries are your best bet when designing a solar system.

Variety

There is a wide variety of configurations available in the Deep Cycle market: 12 volts, 6 volts, small, and large. They all have a purpose.

If space is an issue, 12-volt batteries with 100 Ah @ 20 hr ratings are commonly available. Higher Ah units are available, but with more capacity, the size increases.

PROS

• 12 volt
• Easy to handle
• Easy to store
• Reasonable Ah rating
• Good Lifespan (5-7 yrs)

CONS

• Limited Ah hour ratings
• Higher Ah requires a larger size

The L16 Lead Acid battery is a standard in off-grid solar applications. These units have ratings of up to 400Amps @ 20 hrs.

They are 6-volt batteries, so they usually need to be used in pairs to create 12 volts. They are big and heavy but have life spans of up to 10 years. For an off-grid home, these are a good place to start.

PROS

• High Amp Hr rating.
• Long life span
• Industry Standard

CONS

• Big and heavy
• Can be pricey

Here’s a power 200Ah deep cycle battery – Renogy on Amazon;

How To Choose The Right Battery For Your Solar Panel

The batteries are the most expensive part of the project when setting up a solar system, whether in an RV or an Off-Grid Home.

They can also be the Achilles Heel if not chosen wisely. They will not get you through the night if there is not enough Amp Hour capacity. Low capacity will also shorten the lifespan of the batteries due to the high depth of discharge.

Inexpensive car batteries may ease the pain today, but they will cost you tomorrow. Improper battery construction and chemistry will reduce your system’s effectiveness and shorten the battery’s life.

Your best course of action is to do some research before you shop.

There are many good websites with information and calculators to help you determine how much battery capacity you need. Find a reputable solar supply or battery shop if research is not your strong suit.

They will work with you to evaluate your needs and find the best battery for your situation. I can promise that the battery will not be a car battery.

Sources:

• How Lead Acid Batteries Work
• Difference Between Car and Deep Cycle Batteries
• Amp Hours and Cold Cranking Amps