How fast should a lead acid battery be discharged?

The faster you discharge a lead acid battery the less energy you get (C-rating) Recommended discharge rate (C-rating) for lead acid batteries is between 0.2C (5h) to 0.05C (20h). Look at the manufacturer’s specs sheet to be sure. Formula to calculate the c-rating: C-rating (hour) = 1 ÷ C

Do lead acid batteries need to be fully discharged?

Since that is no longer an issue (and never was an issue with lead acid batteries) there is not a need to fully discharge. By discharging a lead acid battery to below the manufacturer’s stated end of life discharge voltage you are allowing the polarity of some of the weaker cells to become reversed.

Do lead acid batteries self-discharge?

All batteries experience some amount of self-discharge, yes. But, the rate of discharge for lead acid batteries depends on a few key factors. Temperature: The warmer the environment while a battery is in storage, the faster the rate of self-discharge.

Why are lead-acid batteries prone to high discharge rates?

For instance, lead-acid batteries are notably sensitive to high discharge rates. Under such conditions, these batteries experience increased internal resistance, which can result in: Increased Heat Generation: High discharge rates elevate the internal temperature of the battery.

What happens if a lead acid battery is left in storage?

A lead acid battery left in storage at moderate temperatures has an estimated self-discharge rate of 5% per month. This rate increases as temperatures rise and as the risk of sulfation goes up. Sulfating: This is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals and it occurs when a lead acid battery is left sitting without a full charge.

Are lead-acid batteries a good choice for energy storage?

Lead–acid batteries have been used for energy storage in utility applications for many years but it has only been in recent years that the demand for battery energy storage has increased.