Your next-door neighbour comes to you complaining, “When I purchased an inverter battery and it lasted me hours. But today, I can barely count on it for a couple of hours.”
This leaves you guessing– the inverter battery brand had a mischief up its sleeve. Little do you realise that often it’s not the battery’s fault at all.
Overcharging, deep discharges, and skipping routine maintenance can silently drain even the sturdiest battery.
Inverter batteries are often overlooked. So, it is very important to give the right care once you’ve picked the best one.
Why Battery Maintenance Matters
First, it is worth noting that batteries tend to degrade over time. It could be your car battery, bike battery, inverter battery or even your latest gadget. It’s a natural process where their quality and power capacity just tend to fall off. However, the right maintenance elongates this process. In fact, maintenance, if done carefully, can increase the lifespan of inverter batteries till 3-5 years.
Essential Practices for Longer Battery Life
So, what are some of the best practices for a good battery life? There are a couple of them, so let’s get over them one by one.
Regular Maintenance
If you’re using lead-acid batteries, keep an eye on the electrolyte level. It depletes over time. Make sure you keep an eye on it regularly. Also, you must only use distilled water, as tap water can have solutes that can damage the battery.
Avoid Overloading and Deep Discharge
Make sure you do not keep the charger connected beyond its full capacity, as it can significantly hamper the inverter battery. Inverter batteries aren’t smartphones with smart charging systems where you can set charging limits. Overcharging your inverter battery can lead to internal overheating, accelerated corrosion of plates, loss of electrolyte (water), decreased capacity, reduced battery life, potential gas buildup and swelling.
Another thing to keep in mind is deep discharge. Make sure you don’t let the battery drain fully, but charge it before that, as it can also damage the battery.
Proper Ventilation
Make sure to keep the battery in a place where air passes freely, as this helps regulate temperature, which might damage the battery in the long run. Overheating is one of the leading reasons inverter batteries get damaged, and good ventilation can help avoid it.
Correct Pairing with Inverter
Just like pineapple doesn’t go well with pizza, but is an excellent ice cream flavour, you just cannot use every inverter with every battery. The inverter generally has the specifications mentioned in the user manual about the type of battery that is compatible with the inverter. Make sure you pick a battery that matches these specifications to maximise the efficiency.
Annual Professional Check-Up
At least once a year, let a technician have a look. There are several signs that a layman’s eye can miss, and having a technician have a look can resolve matters beforehand. This will ensure the longevity of your battery and fix any issues before they become big.
Buying Fresh Batteries
Also, this is less about maintenance, but make sure that your battery hasn’t been manufactured less than 6 months before you buy. The fresher the battery, the longer it will last.
Additional Good Practices
| Good Practice | Why It Matters | How to Do It |
| Do Not Leave it Idle for Long Periods | Idle batteries lose charge and may degrade faster. | Use the battery regularly, or recharge it periodically if not in use. |
| Safe Disposal and Recycling | Prevents environmental harm and ensures safe handling of toxic materials. | Return old batteries to authorised dealers; many offer buy-back schemes. |
The Payoff of Good Practices
Now, the good practices have good payoffs as well. For instance, the battery can last up to 3-5 years depending on the care you take. Also, there are some other benefits:
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
| Fewer Interruptions | Reliable power backup ensures appliances and essentials run smoothly during outages. |
| Reduced Long-Term Costs | Longer battery life means fewer replacements and lower maintenance expenses. |
| Peace of Mind | Confidence that your backup power will work when you need it most. |
Conclusion
How long your battery lasts depends totally on how well you take care of it. Good quality care can boost the lifespan of your battery by up to 5 years. Under the condition that you take good care of it.
