Batteries

Types

• Inverter (tubular) battery — deep-cycle flooded lead-acid with long life. Used with home and office inverters; needs periodic water topping up.
• SMF and VRLA battery — sealed, maintenance-free lead-acid. Standard for UPS systems, telecom, alarm and control panels.
• Automotive battery — designed to deliver high starting current for cars, trucks, tractors and generator sets.
• Lithium-ion (LFP) battery — lighter and longer cycle life with faster charging, suited to solar storage and modern UPS.
• Solar battery — deep-cycle lead-acid or lithium made for daily charging and discharging.

What to check before buying

• Voltage and capacity in Ah, usually at the 10-hour rate (C10) for inverter batteries.
• Compatibility with your inverter, UPS or vehicle, including terminal type and physical size.
• Expected life in cycles or years, and the warranty terms, including pro-rata clauses.
• Brand's service network and whether old batteries are taken back for recycling, as required under battery waste rules.
• Manufacturing date: avoid stock that has sat uncharged for many months.
• GST invoice, delivery, and for lithium, a battery management system and safety certification.

Common brands include Exide, Amaron, Luminous, Microtek and Okaya.

Who buys them

Offices, shops, hospitals, schools, housing societies, telecom and CCTV installers, transporters, factories and solar installers.

Frequently asked questions

What battery capacity do I need for an inverter?

Multiply load in watts by required backup hours, then divide by battery voltage and usable efficiency. The inverter supplier can size this for you.

Tubular or SMF for a home or office inverter?

Tubular lasts longer in frequent power cuts but needs topping up. SMF needs no maintenance and suits places that cannot be checked regularly.

Is lithium worth considering?

It lasts more cycles and is compact, but needs a compatible charger or inverter. Ask for a like-for-like comparison.