Tubular battery | What is it?

Tubular batteries are the new hotcakes due to their enhanced performance and suitability with off-grid solar power plants. Now, since the booming of the solar industry as the solar industry is growing its demand too. However, with all the limelight, many people are unaware of how it differs from a standard battery because, from the point of appearance, both look identical.

However, its performance, durability, and life expectancy are better than its counterpart standard flat plate battery.

In this blog, I will cover all the FAQs about tubular batteries.

What is a tubular battery?

What is the advantage of tubular batteries?

Is the tubular battery AGM or flooded?

Does a tubular battery need distilled water?

Are all tubular batteries deep cycle?

Is a tubular battery safe?

Which acid is used in tubular batteries?

What is a tall tubular battery?

What is a tubular battery?

Every battery has two main parts: its electrolyte and electrodes. Here, a battery is called tubular if its negative electrode is of tubular form. However, its positive electrode will remain flat type. Furthermore, the battery with both electrodes of flat plate type will be called a standard flat plate battery.

The tubular electrode design of the battery enhances its performance. Here, tubular electrodes use a frame structure consisting of a series of vertical spines connected to a common bus bar. Each spine is covered by non-conductive tubes filled with a paste of lead oxide active mass.

The picture below shows the design of tubular electrodes.

Also, the flat plate electrode design is shown below.

What is the advantage of tubular batteries?

Tubular batteries are designed for longer backup and offer several advantages over standard batteries, some of which are mentioned below.

• Long lifespan.

• High Efficiency.

• Better thermal management

• Durability and Reliability

• Deep Cycle Capability

• Low Maintenance

• Better Electrolyte Utilization

• High Charge Retention

• Versatile Applications

  
  

🔋 Long Lifespan

Tubular batteries are known for their extended lifespan compared to flat plate batteries. This is primarily due to their robust design, which includes tubular plates and a more efficient electrolyte circulation. This allows them to withstand deep discharge cycles and frequent usage without significant degradation.

⚡ High Efficiency

These batteries offer higher efficiency in terms of charge and discharge cycles. The tubular design enables better utilization of the active material, resulting in improved performance and reduced energy losses during operation.

🌡️ Better Thermal Management

Tubular batteries have superior thermal management capabilities. Their design allows for more effective heat dissipation, which reduces the risk of overheating and enhances safety during prolonged use or high-demand conditions.

💪 Durability and Reliability

The construction of tubular batteries is inherently more durable. The tubular plates are less prone to corrosion and mechanical wear, making them reliable for applications that require consistent performance over time.

🔄 Deep Cycle Capability

Tubular batteries are designed to handle deep discharge cycles efficiently. This makes them ideal for applications where the battery is frequently discharged to a low state of charge, such as in solar power systems or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

🌍 Low Maintenance

These batteries generally require less maintenance compared to other types. The robust design minimizes the need for frequent water topping and other routine checks, making it convenient for users who prefer low-maintenance solutions.

💧 Better Electrolyte Utilization

The tubular design ensures more uniform distribution of the electrolyte, which enhances the overall chemical reaction within the battery. This results in better performance and longer battery life.

🔋 High Charge Retention

Tubular batteries exhibit excellent charge retention capabilities, meaning they can hold a charge for extended periods without significant self-discharge. This is beneficial for applications where the battery may not be used continuously.

⚙️ Versatile Applications

Due to their efficiency and reliability, tubular batteries are suitable for a wide range of applications, including solar power systems, inverters, and backup power solutions.

These benefits make tubular batteries a preferred choice for users seeking reliable, long-lasting, and efficient power solutions.

For an in-depth comparison between tubular batteries and standard batteries, read our blog on tubular batteries vs standard flat plate batteries.

Related Post: 👉🏻 Best battery for Solar Inverter

Is the tubular battery AGM or flooded?

The tubular battery could be either AGM or Flooded type. If its electrolyte is made up of acid-shocked glass mat, then it will be called an AGM tubular battery, and if its electrolyte is made of liquid acid, then it will be called a flooded tubular battery.

Furthermore, the requirement of maintenance and performance of a battery depends upon the type of electrolyte as well as the electrode it has. A battery of AGM electrolytes requires no maintenance. However, a battery of flooded-type electrolytes required periodic water filling.

Click here, to learn more about the difference between AGM and Flooded batteries.

Does a tubular battery need distilled water?

If the electrolyte of the tubular battery is of a flooded type, then it needs distilled water from time to time as per the maintenance procedure for working properly; however, if its electrolyte is of Gel type, it won’t require the same. Furthermore, the maintenance requirement of a tubular battery is still less than a standard flat plate battery.

The maintenance requirement of a battery depends on both the type of electrodes and the electrolyte it has. Well-designed electrodes reduce the maintenance requirements of the battery. However, electrolytes like gel-type and AGM electrolytes eliminate the requirement for maintenance.

Furthermore, the price of the battery is also dependent upon the type of electrodes & electrolyte it has. A gel tubular battery requires no maintenance; however, it is 50% costlier than a flooded tubular battery.

Click here, to learn more about the difference between Gel tubular batteries and flooded tubular batteries.

Are all tubular batteries deep cycle?

For a lead-acid battery, 50% of the depth of discharge is considered a deep cycle. Furthermore, tubular batteries are designed for solar applications that require frequent deep discharge, high charge cycles, and low maintenance. Hence, tubular batteries are deep-cycle batteries too.

Furthermore, the life expectancy of a battery is directly related to its charge cycle and depth of discharge. That means, for a low depth of discharge, you will get a higher charge cycle and life expectancy.

Is a tubular battery safe?

The main reason behind the explosion of lead-acid batteries is hydrogen, which is produced due to electrolysis of the water during charging. A flooded battery produces more Hydrogen because its electrolyte is in liquid form. However, a Gel and AGM battery produces hardly any gas because their electrolyte is not in liquid form. Hence, a Gel tubular battery is far safer than a flooded tubular and a flooded flat plate battery.

Both Gel and Flooded batteries are members of the Lead-Acid battery family.

During the charging of a Lead-Acid battery, electrolysis of the water occurs and Hydrogen & oxygen are produced, and these gases are discharged into the air via a vent. If these vents get choked or hydrogen gases are sparked by any external means, the battery will explode. Furthermore, an AGM and Gel battery hardly produce any gases.

However, a press release valve is used in AGM and Gel batteries. Hence, these batteries are also called VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid) batteries.

Which acid is used in tubular batteries?

The acid used in a tubular battery is the same as that used in a standard flat plate battery, which is Sulfuric Acid. The same acid is used in both flooded tubular and gel tubular batteries. However, in a gel tubular battery, this acid is in Gel form.

What is a tall tubular battery?

The electrode design of a Tall tubular battery is similar to a tubular battery. That is, its negative plate is made of a tubular structure, and its positive plate is made of a flat plate structure. However, it has a 30% higher electrolyte volume, is taller in size, and is 11.7% more expensive than a tubular battery.

Increasing the volume of electrolytes enhances the performance of a battery. Hence, tall batteries have higher performance than tubular batteries. Learn more about tall tubular batteries vs tubular batteries.