Alcad unveils rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries

An Alcad product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 11, 2009

Alcad is releasing its Vantex and Solar ranges of low-maintenance, rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries that deliver high performance, reliability and optimised total cost of ownership.

Vantex is suitable for high-temperature stationary applications, while Solar has been developed specifically for renewable energy systems.

Vantex operates for long periods at high ambient temperatures up to +40C.

A Vantex battery may require just one top-up operation throughout its service life.

This is made possible by a 'high technology, low maintenance' design that ensures a very high level of gas recombination and very low gas emission levels.

Vantex batteries are assembled in blocks of up to six cells and are delivered ready filled with electrolyte.

Normally, a filled, Vantex battery can be stored for up to two years.

In addition, Vantex offers very good chargeability, reaching over 95 per cent of its capacity in less than 15 hours using single-level low-voltage charging.

Vantex is available in a wide range of capacities, from 15 to 1,700Ah, with a choice of L type plates - for relatively long discharge periods, or M type plates - to sustain loads from between 30 minutes to three hours.

The Vantex range is manufactured in production facilities qualified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

The design also complies with the requirement of IEC 62259 that calls for a minimum 70 per cent gas recombination level.

Alcad's Solar batteries provide an alternative to valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries in demanding renewable energy applications, including photovoltaic (PV) and stand-alone hybrid systems.

Solar batteries are designed to continue to operate at any state of charge, and reach a high state of charge without boost or reconditioning charges.

This makes it easy to manage the complex charging patterns essential for efficient operation of the renewable energy system by avoiding the need to over compensate for unpredictable charging conditions with high charging voltages.

Solar batteries are compatible with all current PV charge regulators and conventional industrial battery chargers.

A pocket plate construction and stable electrochemistry enables Solar to operate comfortably within a temperature range of -20C to +50C, and it can tolerate extremes of - 50C to +70C.

Even at - 40C, the batteries will deliver 80 per cent capacity for a 120-hour discharge.

Solar requires low maintenance over a 20-year service lifetime - intervals for topping-up with water can be more than four years, depending on the application.

With no manpower or equipment expenses for battery replacement, troubleshooting or repair, minimal maintenance and reduced need to travel to remote installations, Solar can lower the total cost of ownership of both the batteries and the whole renewable energy system.

Alcad Solar batteries are available in a range of nominal capacities from 45Ah up to 1,110Ah and are delivered ready filled and charged.

They are recyclable and Alcad provides a service to collect and dispose of all its batteries at the end of their service life.