LC-P1228P - Panasonic - BSG

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

Overview

OVERVIEW

Panasonic Valve Regulated (Sealed) lead-acid

battery (VRLA battery) have been on the market for

more than 30 years. The VRLA battery is a recharge-

able battery which requires no watering.

Adopting lead-tin-calcium alloy as the grid alloy, it has

outstanding characteristics against severe use

conditions such as overcharge, overdischarge,

vibration, shock and also for various storage condi-

tions. Our accumulation of technologies has enabled

us to respond to market requirements promptly by

developing batteries such as trickle/cycle long life

type .

The VRLA battery covers a broad range of

applications including, electric tools, UPS, and three

and four wheel electric wheel chairs for the elderly.

Battery types and model numbers

For main power source

For main and standby

power source

For standby power source

Cycle long life type .....................LC-XC

Expected trickle life 3-5(* 6) years..LC-R

Standard case .............LC-X

Flame-retardant case ..LC-P

Expected trickle life: Up to 50% of initial capacity under the following conditions:

Temperature: 25˚C

Discharge current: 0.25CA

Discharge ending voltage: 5.25V for 6V battery, 10.5V for 12V battery

Charge voltage: 6.85V for 6V battery, 13.7V for 12V battery

*Life : conform to Eurobat ( 20˚C / 0.1C)

Expected trickle life 3-5 (* 6) years...UP-RW

Expected trickle life approx. 6(*10) years

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VALVE REGULATED (SEALED) LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

Construction and Electrolyte

Electrochemical Reactions on Electrodes

••

•Positive plates

Positive plates are plate electrodes of which a grid

frame of lead-tin-calcium alloy holds porous lead

dioxide as the active material.

••

•Negative plates

Negative plates are plate electrodes of which a grid

frame of lead-tin-calcium alloy holds spongy lead as

the active material.

••

•Electrolyte

Diluted sulfuric acid is used as the medium for

conducting ions in the electrochemical reaction in the

battery.

••

•Separators

Separators, which retain electrolyte and prevent

shorting between positive and negative plates, adopt

a non-woven fabric of fine glass fibers which is

chemically stable in the diluted sulfuric acid electro-

lyte. Being highly porous, separators retain electro-

lyte for the reaction of active materials in the plates.

••

•Valve (One way valve)

The valve is comprised of a one-way valve made of

material such as neoprene. When gas is generated

in the battery under extreme overcharge condition

due to erroneous charging, charger malfunctions or

other abnormalities, the vent valve opens to release

excessive pressure in the battery and maintain the

gas pressure within specific range (7.1 to 43.6 kPa).

During ordinary use of the battery, the vent valve is

closed to shut out outside air and prevent oxygen in

the air from reacting with the active material in the

negative electrodes.

••

•Positive and negative electrode terminals

Positive and negative electrode terminals may be

faston tab type, bolt fastening type, threaded post

type, or lead wire type, depending on the type of the

battery. Sealing of the terminal is achieved by a

structure which secures long adhesive-embedded

paths and by the adoption of strong epoxy adhesives.

For specific dimensions and shapes of terminals, see

page 68.

••

•Battery case materials

Materials of the body and cover of the battery case

are ABS resins, unless otherwise specified.

The electrochemical reaction processes of the

sealed lead-acid battery (negative electrode

recombination type) are described below.

Where “charge” is the operation of supplying the

rechargeable battery with direct current from an

external power source to change the active material

Example of construction

Connector

Separator

Valve

(-) Negative terminal

Positive

electrode pole

Negative

electrode pole

Positive plates

Negative plate

(+) Positive terminal

Top cover

Cover

Battery case

in the negative plates chemically, and hence to store

in the battery electric energy in the form of chemical

energy. “Discharge” is the operation of drawing out

electric energy from the battery to operate external

equipment.

(

Positive electrode) (Negative electrode) (Electrolyte)

Discharge

Charge

(Lead dioxide) (Lead) (Sulfuric acid) (Lead sulfate) (Water)(Lead sulfate)

(Positive electrode) (Negative electrode) (Electrolyte)

Pb 2H O

PbSO

PbO

2H SO

242

++++

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VALVE REGULATED (SEALED) LEAD-ACID BATTERIES - CONTINUED

In the final stage of charging, an oxygen-generating

reaction occurs at the positive plates. This oxygen

transfers inside the battery, then is absorbed into the

surface of the negative plates and consumed. These

electrochemical reaction processes are expressed as

follows.

Applications

•Stand-by/Back-up power applications

¾Communication equipment: base station,

PBX, CATV, WLL, ONU, STB, etc.

¾Back-up for power failure: UPS, ECR, com-

puter system back-up, sequencers, etc.

¾Emergency equipment: lights, fire and burglar

alarms, radios, fire shutters, stop-position

controls (for machines and elevators), etc.

•Main power applications

¾Communication and telephone equipment:

cellular phones (bag phones), transceivers,

etc.

¾Electrically operated vehicles: picking carts,

automated transports, electric wheelchairs,

cleaning robots, electric automobiles, etc.

¾Tools and engine starters: grass shears,

hedge trimmers, cordless drills, screwdrivers,

jet-skis, electric saws, etc.

¾Industrial equipment/instruments and non life-

critical medical equipment*: measuring equip-

ment, non life-critical medical equipment

(electrocardio-graph), etc.

¾Photography: camera strobes, VTR/VCR,

movie lights, etc.

¾Toys and hobby: radio-controllers, motor

drives, lights, etc.

¾Miscellaneous uses: integrated VTR/VCR,

tape recorders, other portable equipment, etc.

*(Note) When any medical equipment incorporating a Panasonic VRLA

battery is planned, please contact Panasonic.

Features

••

•Leak-resistant structure

A required-minimum quantity of electrolyte is impreg-

nated into, and retained by, the positive and negative

plates and the separators; therefore electrolyte does

not flow freely. Also, the terminal has a sealed struc-

ture secured by long adhesive-embedded paths and

by the adoption of strong epoxy adhesives which

makes the battery leak-resistant. (Note) In stand-by/

back-up uses, if the battery continues to be used

beyond the point where discharge duration has

decreased to 50% of the

initial (i.e. life judgment criteria), cracking of the

battery case may occur, resulting in leakage of the

electrolyte.

••

•Long service life

Service life of our long-life series (LC-P, LC-X series

is approximately double that of the conventional (LC-

R) batteries (Temperature 25°C, discharge rate 0.25

CA/ 1.75V/cell, discharge frequency every 6 months,

2.30V/cell charge).

••

•Easy maintenance

Unlike the conventional batteries in which electrolyte

can flow freely, VRLA batteries do not need the

specific-gravity check of the electrolyte nor the

watering structurally; this makes the battery function

fully and makes maintenance easy.

••

•No sulfuric acid mist or gases

Unlike the conventional batteries in which electrolyte

can flow freely, VRLA batteries generate no sulfuric

acid mist or gases under the use condition we

recommend. In uses under conditions other than

recommended, however, gas generation may occur,

therefore do not design the battery housing with a

closed structure.

••

•Exceptional deep discharge recovery

As seen in the figure on the next page, our VRLA

battery shows exceptional rechargeablity even after

deep discharge, which is often caused by failure to

turn off the equipment switch, followed by standing

(approx. 1 month at room temperature is assumed).

(Positive electrode)

(Negative electrode) Charge (Lead dioxide)

(Lead sulfate)

PbSO

Gas recombination reaction cycle

Charge Overcharge

(Oxygen)

(Lead)

Reaction

PbO

Pb(O )

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VALVE REGULATED (SEALED) LEAD-ACID BATTERIES - CONTINUED

Transportation

Our VRLA batteries should be handled as common

cargo for both air shipment (*1) and boat shipment

(*2), as they can withstand electrolyte leakage during

the vibration test, the differential atmospheric pres-

sure test and the altitude test in accordance with the

special requirements of transportation regulations

specified by the international organizations (ICAO:

International Commercial Aviation Organization and

IMO: International Maritime Organization).

(*1: Special provision A67 *2: Special provision 238)

••

•ISO

The Quality System and the Environmental Manage-

ment System at our palants were recognized and

registered as conforming to ISO.

ISO 9001:2000

ISO 9002 ISO 14001

MBI-SBD 

(Japan)

SLMB 

••

•JIS (Japan Industrial Standards)

Our small sized VRLA batteries comply with JIS C

8702.

Example of rechargability after deep discharge

and standing

•UL recognition

Our VRLA batteries fall into UL1989 (Standby Batter-

ies). UL1989 requires that the battery is free from the

hazard of bursting, that is, when the battery is over-

charged the vent valve opens to release internal

pressure. UL-recognized types of VRLA batteries to

date are listed in the following table. A number of the

recognized battery types are in use for such applica-

tions as emergency lights.

•VdS and other recognition

The types of VRLA batteries which have acquired

VdS (Germany) recognition and the Japanese rec-

ognition to date are also listed.

Table of battery types which acquired local/

overseas recognition

Additional configuration codes (alphabetic letters or numbers) may appear for (a) in the code numbers of UL recognized types.

(Note) These standards are also valid for old model numbers.

Charge time (hours)

Current (A)

2.0

1.6

1.2

0.8

0.4

0.0048121620

Current product

LC-064R2P Conventional type

(6V4Ah)(6V4.2Ah)

(Test condition)

Discharge: 24 hours at 6 ohms

Hold: Standing for 1 month in

open-circuit state

Charge: 6.9V constant-voltage

charging for 16 hours;

Maximum current: 1.6V

Temperature: 25˚C

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dradnatS

UP-RW1220(a)

UP-RWA1232(a)

UP-RW1245(a)

LC-R061R3(a)

LC-R063R4(a)

LC-R064R2(a)

LC-R067R2(a)

LC-R0612(a)

LC-R121R3(a)

LC-R122R2(a)

LC-R123R4(a)

LC-R127R2(a)

LC-RA1212(a)

LC-RD1217(a)

LC-R1233(a)

LC-V1233(a)

LC-P067R2(a)

LC-P0612(a)

LC-P127R2(a)

LC-PD1217(a)

LC-X1220(a)

LC-X1224(a)

LC-X1228(a)

LC-X1238(a)

LC-X1242(a)

LC-X1265(a)

LC-XA12100(a)

LC-XC1228(a)

LC-XC1238(a)

G196049

G193046

G198049

G199090

G188151

G100001

G100002

G191053 LC-R121R3PG

LC-R127R2PG/PG1

LC-X1224APG/AP

LC-X1265PG/P

LC-R122R2PG

LC-RA1212PG/PG1

LC-X1238APG/AP

LC-R123R4PG

LC-RA1212P/P1

LC-X1238PG/P

(China)

25$5

25$

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

CHARACTERISTICS

•Charging

Charge characteristics (constant voltage-constant

current charging) of VRLA batteries are exemplified

below.

Example of constant-voltage charge characteris-

tics by current

In order to fully utilize the characteristics of VRLA

batteries, constant-voltage charging is recom-

mended. For details of charging see page 19.

••

•Discharging

a) Discharge current and discharge cut-off

voltage

Recommended cut-off voltages for 6V and 12V

batteries consistent with discharge rates are given in

the figure below. With smaller discharge currents, the

active materials in the battery work effectively, there-

fore discharge cut-off voltages are set to the higher

side for controlling overdischarge. For larger dis-

charge currents, on the contrary, cut-off voltages are

set to the lower side.

(Note) Discharge cut-off voltages given are recom-

mended values.

Discharge current vs. Cut-off voltage

b) Discharge temperature

(1) Control the ambient temperature during dis-

charge within the range from -15°C to 50°C for the

reason described below.

(2) Batteries operate on electrochemical reaction

which converts chemical energy to electric energy.

The electrochemical reaction is reduced as the

temperature lowers, thus, available discharge capac-

ity is greatly reduced at temperatures as low as -

15°C. For the high temperature side, on the other

hand, the discharge temperature should not exceed

50°C in order to prevent deformation of resin materi-

als which house the battery or deterioration of ser-

vice life.

c) Effect of temperature on discharge character-

istics

Available discharge capacity of the battery varies

with ambient temperature and discharge current as

shown in the figure below.

Discharge capacity by temperature and by dis-

charge current

(Test condition)

Discharge : 0.05 CA constant-

current discharge

Cut-off voltage; 1.75 V/cell

Charge : 2.45 V/cell

2.30 V/cell

Temperature : 25˚C

0 3 6 9 12 15 18

2.5

2.0

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

Current Voltage

Charge time (hours)

(CA)

(V/cell)

120

100

-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50

Capacity (%)

Temperature <˚C>

0.05CA

0.1CA

0.25CA

1CA

Discharge current (CA)

Discharge cut-off voltage (12V battery)

Discharge cut-off voltage (6V battery)

5.4

5.2

5.0

4.8

4.6

4.4

4.2

4.0

10.8

10.4

10.0

9.6

9.2

8.8

8.4

8.0

0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1 2 3

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

CHARACTERISTICS - CONTINUED

d) Discharge current

Discharge capability of batteries is expressed by the

20 hour rate (rated capacity). Select the battery for

specific equipment so that the discharge current

during use of the equipment falls within the range

between 1/20 of the 20 hour rate value and 3 times

that (1/20 CA to 3 CA): discharging beyond this

range may result in a marked decrease of discharge

capacity or reduction in the number of times of

repeatable discharge. When discharging the battery

beyond said range, please consult Panasonic in

advance.

e) Depth of discharge

Depth of discharge is the state of discharge of

batteries expressed by the ratio of amount of capac-

ity discharged to the rated capacity.

••

•Storage

a) Storage condition

Observe the following condition when the battery

needs to be stored.

(1) Ambient temperature: -15°C to 40°C (preferably

below 30°C)

(2) Relative humidity: 25% to 85%

(3) Storage place free from vibration, dust, direct

sunlight, and moisture.

b) Self discharge and refresh charge

During storage, batteries gradually lose their capacity

due to self discharge, therefore the capacity after

storage is lower than the initial capacity. For the

recovery of capacity, repeat charge/discharge sev-

eral times for the battery in cycle use; for the battery

in trickle use, continue charging the battery as loaded

in the equipment for 48 to 72 hours.

c) Refresh charge (Auxiliary charge)

When it is unavoidable to store the battery for 3

months or longer, periodically recharge the battery at

the intervals recommended in the table below de-

pending on ambient temperature. Avoid storing the

battery for more than 12 months.

d) Residual capacity after storage

The result of testing the residual capacity of the

battery which, after fully charged, has been left

standing in the open- circuit state for a specific period

at a specific ambient temperature is shown in the

figure below. The self discharge rate is very much

dependent on the ambient temperature of storage.

The higher the ambient temperature, the less the

residual capacity after storage for a specific period.

Self discharge rate almost doubles by each 10°C rise

of storage temperature.

Residual capacity test result

30˚C 25˚C

0 3 6 9 12 15

Storage period (months)

100

Residual capacity

40˚C

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Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

CHARACTERISTICS - CONTINUED

e) Open circuit voltage vs. residual capacity

Residual capacity of the battery can be roughly

estimated by measuring the open circuit voltage as

shown in the Figure.

Open circuit voltage vs. Residual capacity 25°C

••

•Temperature conditions

Recommended temperature ranges for charging,

discharging and storing the battery are tabulated

below.

••

•Battery life

a) Cycle life

The cycle life (number of cycles) of the battery is

affected by such factors as battery types, charging

methods, ambient temperature, interval between

charge and discharge, or depth of discharge. Typical

cycle life characteristics of the battery are shown in

the above figure. This is typical data obtain from a

well-equipped laboratory.

Cycle times depend on each model of batteries and

may differ from this data when batteries are actully

used in the field.

Expected life is also affected by charge conditions.

For life performance, please check actual charge/

discharge pattern in the field. The life is shortened at

shallow discharge about less than 30% of rated

capacity. For additional inquiries, please contact

Panasonic office.

Cycle life characteristics

(Temperature: 25˚C)

7.00

6.75

6.50

6.25

6.00

5.75

5.50

5.25

5.00

14.0

13.5

13.0

12.5

12.0

11.5

11.0

10.5

10.0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Residual capacity (%)

Open circuit voltage (6V battery)

Open circuit voltage (12V battery)

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00 100 200 300 400 500 600

100

120

Capacity (%)

Charge/discharge cycle (number of cycles)

(Test condition)

Discharge : 0.25CA

Cut-off voltage 1.75V/cell

Charge : 2.45 V/cell constant-voltage control

Maximum current: 0.4 CA

12 hours

Temperature : 25˚C

Valve Regulated (Sealed) Lead-Acid Batteries

CHARACTERISTICS - CONTINUED

b) Trickle (Float) life

Trickle life of the battery is largely dependent on the

temperature condition of the equipment in which the

battery is used, and also related to the type of the

battery, charge voltage and discharge current. The

respective Figures show the influence of temperature

on trickle life of the battery, an example of trickle

(float) life characteristics of the battery, and the test

result of the battery life in an emergency lamp.

Influence of Temperature on Trickle life

Trickle life characteristics at 50°C

Testing conditions

Discharge: 0.25 CA, End voltage: 1.7V/2V

Charging: 2.275V/2V, Constant-voltage control,

current: 0.15 CA

Conventional products

Trickle long life series

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Temperature <˚C>

Service life (years)

0.5

0.1

(Test condition)

Discharge : 0.25 CA

Cut-off voltage : 1.75V/cell

Capacity check by every 3 months

Charge : 2.30V/cell

Constant-voltage control

Maximum current : 0.4 CA

Temperature : 20˚C to 23˚C

Time (years)

Capacity (%)

120

100

0 1 2 3 4

(Test condition)

Discharge : 0.25 CA

Cut-off voltage: 1.7V/2V

Charge : 2.275V/2V

Constant-voltage control 0.2 CA

Discharge frequency : once ever y 21 days

Trickle long

life series

Conventional

products

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

50˚C discharge period (months)

Conversion to 25˚C period (years)

Duration of discharge (minutes)

300

250

200

150

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Conversion to 20˚C period (cycles)

0 1 2 3 4 5

Trickle (Float) life characteristics (LC-R)