Effect of temperature compensation on battery temperature as predicted by a thermal model

Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries utilize oxygen recombination technology and can generate more heat than a flooded battery during overcharging. In a tightly packed arrangement, the battery temperature can be considerably higher than the ambient. A high-temperature accelerates water loss and leads to reduced battery life. One method of solving this problem is by using a temperature compensation device that regulates (lowers) the float voltage with increasing battery temperature. The effect of a temperature compensation device on a tightly packed arrangement in an uncontrolled environment is described by a simple thermal model that was verified with field data. The temperature compensation device was found to lower the battery temperature significantly, thus increasing battery life.