Evaluation of a reserve time prediction algorithm for lead acid battery

An algorithm has been developed to predict the remaining available battery capacity when a power outage occurs in telecommunication power supplies. This algorithm was formulated based on electrochemical phenomena during discharge. The effects of surface area, voltage, acid concentration and temperature on capacity were also included. An evaluation of the algorithm was performed using a variety of batteries, both flooded and valve-regulated. The results showed good accuracy in predicting the remaining capacity. In application, the algorithm is part of a plant controller that monitors voltage, current and temperature of the batteries. State-of-charge data is calculated when a discharge is detected.