FAQ
Nickle Iron Batteries are unlike most other batteries on the market today. They are made up of individual cells which means you can make up any combination of voltage and or amp/hrs.
In most batteries if one cell fails the battery will need to be replaced, with NiFe batteries if one cell fails you are able to replace it with a new cell.
You can add cells at any time to increase your battery capacity.
All NiFe batteries are rechargeable and accept and withstand overcharge and over-discharge (extreme deep cycle), have an average efficiency of around 80% over their entire life and can remain discharged for long periods without damage. Lead Acid batteries need to be stored in a charged state.
Temperature has effect on all batteries performance however temperature does not effect the life of a NiFe battery.
The cells are made up of Iron plates with a ridgid plastic transparent casing for viewing electrolyte levels. The entire battery is recyclable, however you probably will never have to recycle the battery. Ironcore batteries has a recycle program in place if the need arisies.
NiFe batteries can be used for:
Rail, Mining, Telecommunications, Forklifts, Stockpickers, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Solar storage, Back up power supply, Electric cars, Electric vehicles (golf buggies,walky stackers etc), Motorhomes, Caravans and numerous other applications.
Why buy a Nickel Iron Battery?
- They have the longest life of any rechargeable battery made today
- They have withstood the test of time (some of Eddison’s original batteries are still working today 80 years+)
- Environmentally friendly green technology battery (no lead, mercury, cadmium or other toxic heavy metals)
- Efficiency of the battery is constantly around 80% over its entire life (does not deteriorate like all other batteries)
- Will cost less per amp hour as its life is more than equivalent to a minimum of three sets of lead acid batteries
- Does not SULFATE
- Does not FREEZE
- If the battery stops holding its charge you can easily rejuvenate it by a simple electrolyte change
- The electrolyte is alkaline (the opposite of a lead acid battery)
- No need to do frequent equalization changes (you must with lead acid batteries)
- Old technology that today’s technology cannot beat in life cycles
- You can replace one cell if it fails (most other batteries you need to replace the entire battery)
- The entire battery is recyclable
- Extremely strong and durable
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How long can I expect my nickel iron batteries to last?
No one knows how long a nickel iron battery will last for as some of the original batteries manufactured by Thomas Eddison’s battery storage company are still in use today.
Ironcore's nickel iron batteries have been manufactured for over 25 years and are in use, still producing one hundred percent of their rated capacity. The manufacturer believed Nickel Iron batteries would last up to 20 years with regular discharge to 50% however given that today’s manufacturing technology is far superior than it was in the early 1900’s, batteries produced 25 years ago are still being used. Ironcore batteries believe NiFe batteries have the possibility of many years in excess of the 40 years by discharging the same as you would with a lead acid battery and by replacing the electrolyte when the battery is taking longer to charge or no longer holds its rated capacity.
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What is the electrolyte made up of?
The electrolyte is a combination of Potassium Hydroxide, lithium hydroxide mixed with distilled or de-ionized water. Water makes up around 85% of the electrolyte. Electrolyte replacement is inexpensive when compared to battery replacement. Nickel iron batteries like to be worked and thrive on hard work and cycling. If the battery is not producing its rated capacity its time for an electrolyte replacement.
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What is a Nickel Iron cell?
A nickel Iron cell is made up of several pockets, each made of finely perforated steel strips and filled with active material and are mechanically put together to from a rectangular shape and then trimmed with steel frames to make a sheet – like plate. The plates are assembled and are separated and insulated from each other by means of plastic rod separators and/or edge insulators.
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What is a Nickel Iron (NiFe) battery?
Nickel Iron batteries are made up from individual cells.
Each cell has a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts. No matter the size of the cell, all Nickel Iron cells are 1.2volts.
To make a battery, you add cells together until you get the voltage you require.
Example:
6 Volts = 5 x 1.2volt cells
12 Volts = 10 x 1.2volt cell
24 Volts = 20 x 1.2volt cells
48 Volts = 40 x 1.2volt cell
The advantage of making a battery up from individual cells is that if one cell fails, you replace that cell. With most other batteries when a cell fails you need to replace the entire battery.
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What type of battery charger do I use?
You can either use a separate manual battery charger or an inverter with a built in battery charger. The battery likes to be charged between 1.6 and 1.8 volts per cell. (12Volt ~ 16 - 18volts, 24volt ~ 32 – 36volts etc)
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Do you have to use a charge controller on Nickel Iron batteries?
NO you do not have to use a charge controller on these batteries as these batteries can be overcharged (up to 1.8 volts per cell) without damage. By not using a charge controller you can get the maximum charge into the batteries in the shortest amount of time. If you want to use a charge controller then a MPPT inverter charger or a MPPT charge controller is better suited to these batteries. You will most likely need to check your battery electrolyte level more often if you do not use a charge controller but against the extra energy you will deliver to your batteries it is worth the few extra checks. Using a self watering system will reduce the frequency you will need to check your electrolyte levels.
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How efficient are these batteries?
The NiFe battery has an efficiency of around 80%. A new battery usually is slightly more efficient and usually levels off as it is used until it reaches its normal efficiency which is then held over the rest of its life. This means that over the life of a Nickel Iron battery it will be more efficient than most other batteries as other batteries efficiency reduce dramatically nearing the end of their life.
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Can they be used with renewable energy systems (Solar or Wind)
YES! Most popular inverters can be used with them including maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Please contact your inverter manufacturer first. To ensure your battery works with your inverter you can drop (or add) cells to keep within the inverters working voltage range.
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Maintenance of the batteries?
Maintaining the batteries is as simple as making sure the cell tops are clean from dust or dirt and kept dry. Washing them once a year assists this. Maintaining the water level in the battery is vitally important. You can either manually add water or with an automatic battery watering fill system (recommended).
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What amperage do these batteries come in?
They start at 10 amp hours cells and go up to 1000 amp hour cells. You can achieve any amp hour requirement buy connecting the cells in series parallel.
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Can I store them without use over a long period of time?
Yes they can be stored for a long time without use or the need to be trickle charged. Ideally if you are not going to use the battery for as extended period, they prefer to be totally discharged and emptied of electrolyte. Then when you need to re use them just refill the electrolyte and charge them back up and they will perform as they did prior to the storing them.
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