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3.1 Charging
The constant voltage charge method is recommended to charge our battery. When charging, the lead sulfate of
the positive plate becomes lead dioxide. As charging continues, the positive plate begins to generate O2
causing a sudden rise in battery voltage. A constant voltage charge, therefore, gives rise to detection of this
voltage increase and control of the charge amount. This type of charging generally employs a constant-voltage
constant-current method with current limitation to prevent the initial current (at low battery voltage) from
increasing.
Table 1 shows the charge voltage and maximum charge current. Figures 3 and 4 shows the constant-voltage
charging characteristics of the GP1272. Figures 3 and 4 show a constant-voltage charge initially made with a
current limited to 0.1CA, with the constant-voltage charge following after the battery voltage reaches a certain
level. The battery was charged at the 100% discharge state and the 50% discharged state. A charge quantity of
110-120% of the discharge quantity is needed to fully charge the battery.
The charge voltage of the battery decreases with increasing temperature and vice versa. Accordingly, charging
with a given voltage requires an increased charge current when the temperature is high and decreased charge
current at a lower temperature. Temperature compensation is not necessary when the battery is charged at an
ambient temperature between 5C (41F) to 35C (95F). At temperatures below 5C (41F) or above 35C
(95F), temperature compensation for charging voltage is necessary.
The temperature coefficient is:
(1) For cycle service
-5m V/C cell
(2) For standby use (trickle charge or float charge)
-3.3mVC cell

Refer to Figure 5 in order to prevent a poor charge under low temperatures and overcharge under
high temperatures, the charging voltage must be set at the appropriate value according to the battery
temperature. For the charging voltage of each VRLA battery, refer to Table 1.
Table 1 - Charging voltage and maximum charging current
Applications

Charging voltage (V/cell)

Max. charging current (A)

Temperature

Set point

Allowable range

Cycle service

25C (77F)

2.45

2.40 ~ 2.50

0.3C

Standby

25C (77F)

2.275

2.25 ~ 2.30

0.3C

Figure 3 - GP1272 charging characteristic for constant voltage 14.7V (2.45 V/cell)
(Example of the charging characteristics for the cycle use of CSB VRLA GP series battery.)

Figure 4 - GP1272 charging characteristics for the constant voltage 13.65V (2.275 V/cell) (Example
of the charging characteristics for the standby use of CSB VRLA GP series battery.)

Figure 5: Relation between battery temperature and charging voltage for standby use

3.2 Discharge
The battery capacity (Ah) is an integration of the discharge current I(t), and discharge time to the final discharge voltage:

Battery capacity (Ah) = I (t) dt

From the above equation, the variation of discharge time is dependent on the discharge current. The battery capacity also greatly
depends on the discharge current.

For example, compare a 20 hour and a 1 hour rate:

For 20 hours, 0.05C (A) x 20 (h) = 1C (Ah)

For 1 hour, 0.6C (A) x 1 (h) = 0.6C (Ah)

This means that the capacity for the one hour rate is 60% less of the 20 hour rate. Evidently, increasing discharge current causes a
decrease in the apparent Ah capacity. The final discharge voltage also varies depending on the discharge current. The discharge
capacity is affected by the battery temperature during discharge. Generally, the capacity decreases when the battery temperature
decreases during discharge.
Discharge characteristics are described in Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8.

Table 2: Discharging current and final discharge voltage

Discharging current (A)

Final discharge voltage (V/cell)

0.2C > (A)

1.75

0.2C (A) < 0.5C

1.70

0.5C (A) < 1.0C

1.55

(A) 1.0C

1.30

Discharge current and final discharge voltage

For the relation between discharge current and final discharge voltage, please refer to Table 2. The battery should never be
discharged to less than the predetermined final discharge voltage. Otherwise, over discharging may result. Repeated over discharging
may result in capacity failure, even with proper charging.
Discharge characteristics at various rates
Figures 6 shows the discharge performance at various rates for GP1272 and GP12400, respectively. Figure 9 shows the relation
between the discharge current and time using this figure. Select the appropriate capacity for the VRLA battery. For the final discharge
voltage, refer to Table 2.
Temperature and discharge capacity
Figure 8 shows the relation between temperature and discharge capacity. This figure shows the result of a charge at 25C (77F) and
discharge at various temperatures. Avoid operation of the battery below -20C (4F) or beyond 50C (122F) since damage may
occur even though the battery may still operate.

Figure 6: GP1272 discharge characteristics at various rates [25C (77F)]

Figure 7: GP12400 discharge characteristics at rates [25C (77F)]

Figure 8: Temperature and discharge capacity [25C (77F)]

Figure 9: Discharge current and discharge duration time period [25C (77F)]

3.3 Over-discharge
Compared to the alkaline battery, the VRLA battery is very sensitive to over-discharge. Over-discharge results in failure to recover
normal capacity, reduced capacity, or shortened service life. Over-discharge also occurs by leaving the battery in a discharged state.
The CSB VRLA Battery overcomes this problem. If our battery is over-discharged and left standing in a discharged state for several
days, it can recover its original capacity when charged. However it is necessary to avoid over-discharge situations as much as
possible.
Figure 10 shows an example of the charge characteristics after over-discharge and leaving the battery in a discharged
state.
Precautions:

1. The original capacity can be recovered after two or three consecutive over-discharges or leaving the battery in a
discharged state. Beyond this limit, the battery may not recover to its original capacity.

2. Always perform constant-voltage charging with a 2.45 V/cell with maximum current of 0.3CA. The charge voltage
range between 2.275 V/cell may not be enough to recover to the capacity above. In this case, repeat charge and
discharge two or three more times. Figure 10 shows an example of the charge characteristics after over-discharge
and leaving the battery in a discharged state. As this figure shows, the charge current remains unchanged during the
initial period of charge, this is not considered abnormal.

Figure 10: An example of the charging characteristics after over-discharge and leaving the battery in a
discharged state

3.4 Capacity Retention and Storage

(1) Capacity retention
When the charged battery is left standing for an extended period of time, its capacity gradually decreases and enters to a discharged
state. The battery consumes the stored electrical energy without releasing it effectively to the circuits. This is called self-discharge.
This disappearance of capacity is inevitable and will occur even if the battery is not being used. Self-discharge is caused by internal
chemical and electrochemical reactions within the battery. Self-discharge for a lead acid battery is described below.

1. Chemical
Both (+) active mass (lead dioxide) and (-) active mass (sponge lead), are either decomposed or brought
to gradual reaction with sulfuric acid in the electrolyte, which then changes to stable lead sulfate
causing self-discharge.
2. Electrochemical
Impurities brought to the battery either from local cells or oxidation reduces both electrodes, causing
self-discharge. The self-discharge quantity of the CSB battery is very small, 1/3 to 1/4 that of ordinary
lead-acid batteries. This means that this battery has a superior capacity retention characteristic. Figure
11 shows capacity retention characteristics and storage guidelines

Figure 11: Capacity retention characteristics and the supplementary charge and storage guidelines

(2) Storage
Lead-acid batteries previously were affected by long term storage after charging. CSB's VRLA Battery,
because of its Pb-Ca alloy offers longer extended storage than conventional batteries. Please see Figure 11.
During storage, carry out supplementary charging according to the cycle shown in Table 3. For supplementary
charging after prolonged storage, either the constant-voltage charge with 2.45V/cell, or the constant-current
charge with 0.05CA, is recommended. But, sometimes, one supplementary charge may not recover to 100%
capacity. In such a case, it should be repeated until the capacity is recovered before storage.
Table 3: Storage temperature and recommended supplementary charge interval
Storage temperature

Recommended supplementary
charge interval

Supplementary charging methods

Lower than 25(77)

Each 6 months

25- 30(77 - 86)

Each 3 months

Over 30(86)

Storage to be avoided

Charged by constant voltage 2.275V/cell for

16~24hrs
Charged by constant voltage 2.45V/cell for
5~8hrs
Charged by constant current 0.05CA for 5~8hrs

(3) Open circuit voltage and residual capacity

Figure 12 show the relation between open circuit voltage and residual capacity.

Figure 12: Open circuit voltage characteristics

3.5 Service Life

Similar to other batteries, CSB's VRLA Battery develops electrode deterioration after extended use. When the
service limit is reached, the capacity cannot be recovered by charging. Depending on the charging method or
service temperature, the battery may have a shorter life than a lead-acid battery with a large quantity of
electrolyte.
The following factors are mainly responsible for shortening the service life of the battery:
(1) Discharge depth
Repetition of discharge with a large discharge quantity (that is, deep discharge), shortens the cycle life.
(2) Discharge current magnitude
After discharge with a small discharge quantity (that is, shallow discharge), and follow with a very large discharge current will
shorten the service life.
(3) Charging current magnitude
An excessively large current generates gas in a quantity exceeding the recombination rate of the battery. This causes the internal
pressure to rise and gas is expelled by the valve. Finally, the electrolyte is expended which requires particular attention during trickle
or float charging.
(4) Overcharge quantity
When a battery is overcharged, its components (plates, retainer, etc.) will suffer from deterioration due to electrolytic oxidation. With
both trickle and float charge, the overcharge quantity is a vital factor in determining battery life.
(5) Influence of ambient temperature
High ambient temperature accelerates deterioration of battery components. With constant-voltage charging, high ambient temperature
allows unnecessary large quantities of charge current to flow, which results in a shorter service life. Charging at lower temperature,
however, causes generation of H2 gas. This gas causes the internal pressure to increase or the electrolyte to decrease, and thereby
shortens service life.

A. Cycle service life

Figure 13 shows the relationship between the discharge depth and number of discharge cycles. As the
discharge depth increases during servicing, the number of service cycles decreases. When used with similar
loads, the battery which is designed for expanded capacity will have a better service life.
B. Trickle (float) charging service life
Figure 14 shows the battery capacity and trickle (or float) charge service life. The dark shaded portion
indicates the range of the service life characteristic.

Figure 13: Cycle service life

Figure 14: Trickle (or float) service life