Methods of optimal charging of lead-acid battery for improving its performance and life span

Battery is an electrochemical energy storage device that converts chemical energy into electricity, by use of a galvanic cell. The paper presents operation of lead acid battery, its chemical reactions and the charging methods to improve its performance and life span. The constant current charging mode results in overcharging of the battery as it is being pushed at full current. The constant voltage charging mode takes more time to charge the battery fully due to float charge, but the battery will not overcharge improving the life span. If the lead acid battery is undergoing deep discharge repeatedly then the life span of the battery will be less than its rated value. The operating temperature also has bearing on the life span. The paper is also presents the introduction to battery management system (BMS,) which is the heart of the battery system. The BMS involves a sophisticated supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) with data management, control, protection and prediction.