HOW LONG DO VRLA BATTERIES LAST?

VRLA batteries are typically available with a design life ranging from 3 to 10 years but as with all lead acid batteries, their maximum life depends on how well you look after them. The single biggest killer of VRLA batteries is over-discharge. If you leave a VLRA battery, of any kind, in a chronically over discharged state, then hydration occurs. Hydration is when the lead and lead compounds of the plates dissolve in the water of a discharged cell and form lead hydrate, which is then deposited on the separators. When the cell is recharged, multiple internal short circuits occur between the positive and negative plates. Once hydration is evident, the cell is permanently damaged. You can’t see if hydration has happened because the containers are opaque and hydration can occur after just one major over-discharge event. To make sure you get the maximum amount of cycle out of a VRLA battery, and to avoid over-discharge events, you should use a low voltage alert which gives visual and audible alerts when a VRLA battery is about to be critically over-discharged.