Jun 02, 2021 Pageview:712
There are all kinds of batteries available for us, from lithium ion to lead acid batteries. In this article we will get to know one of batteries that can last for a long time. The battery is no other than the iron Edison battery. From its price, life cycle, and process, everything will be revealed in this article.
How long do iron edison battery last?
To know how long the iron Edison battery lasts, we will need to know more about the Nickel iron battery. Yes, Edison battery is another name for nickel iron batteries.
As the name stated, nickel-iron batteries are batteries made out of nickel and iron. To be specific, their positive plates are made of nickel(III) oxide-hydroxide, while the negative plate is made out of iron. Potassium hydroxide also exists in the battery in the form of electrolyte. All of the battery’s materials are protected safely by an outer layer made of nickel-plated steel pockets with small tiny holes (perforated).
The Iron Edison battery is used not without reason. What makes them preferred by some people is the fact that it can last for an extremely long amount of time. If they are properly maintained, the battery can last more than twenty years.
The battery’s long life is not without reason. The primary reason for its long-lasting life is the potassium hydroxide that can be used all the way for twenty-five years. There is also another active material called lithium hydroxide that adds five more years to the battery’s life. Summing it up, the battery can last for thirty years. That is, assuming that the battery is given proper care and maintenance by its owner. If the owner uses the battery casually, it will last around twenty years.
However, it should be noted that the benefit of long-lasting life comes with some expense. Although it can beat overcharge and discharge for twenty years-ish, the battery does not have lots of energy. To get a standard energy, the owner would need to have lots of solar panels and batteries. It should also be noted that the cost of maintenance for the battery is pretty pricey, so we recommend iron Edison battery owners to always set aside extra money when it comes to maintaining the battery.
Why are nickel iron batteries so expensive?
Yes, nickel iron batteries are one of the most expensive batteries in the industry. Such a phenomenon is caused by the lack of demand for the battery. Not many people use the battery, so there are not many factories that would produce the battery.
To make it more complicated, there’s little or no demand on the improvement of the battery. It makes sense, considering how the battery has many disadvantages. The disadvantages are easily replaced by batteries found after nickel iron batteries.
However, if you are in dire need of the battery, you can create your own nickel iron batteries. Creating your own battery would make you spend less on the battery.
If you would like to make your own nickel iron batteries, you would need to gather the materials for it. The materials are sheets of iron and nickel; make sure they are three-by-five inches. A three-by-five inch phenolic plastic, as it will be used to separate the iron and nickel sheets. You should also find a container (it can be a canning jar) used to contain all the materials mentioned.
For the chemicals, you will need potassium hydroxide and distilled water. Other materials are rubber gloves (make sure they are chemical-resistant!), goggles, insulated terminals, and a pyrex container. There should be copper wire (should be around ten inches), two bolts that has matching nutes, soldering iron, and an electric drill.
Once you have all the materials, here are the steps to make an nickel iron battery:
1. Drill a hole on both of the metal plates, around a quarter of an inch.
2. Cut the copper wire into half, and put the insulation at the ends of each wire.
3. Attach the first wire to the iron plate. You can do so by wrapping the wire around the bolt, and then you can slide the bolt through the plate’s hole.
4. Tighten the nut located at the back part of the plate.
5. Do the same with the nickel plate.
6. Drill two holes on the jar’s lid.
7. Mount the terminals to the lid by using the holes that were recently drilled.
8. Solder the edge of the wire that leads the iron plate to the first terminal. Do the same thing for the other wire.
And that’s it! You’re done!
How does iron edison battery work?
Iron Edison batteries work like any other batteries. However, what makes them stand out and require regular maintenance is the charging process. When we charge the battery, electrolysis happens. Electrolysis will result in the loss of water, and we lose it when the water gasses itself off in the form of hydrogen and oxygen. Because of this, we will need to regularly add distilled water. The time for adding the water varied, but the maximum time should be three months at most. We can always make our distilled water. However, for those who are unsure, they can opt by purchasing a “water kit” such as HydroPure Deionizer. You can also use Spider Single Point Watering that allows you to fill up around twenty batteries in a snap. Everything depends on your needs.
From here, we find out that iron edison, or nickel iron, batteries do exist. They can last for a long time. As a matter of fact, its longevity is its main perk. However, the perk comes at the cost of other things such as purchasing lots of batteries and spending extra money for maintenance. For those who would like a cheaper version of the battery, they can always create their DIY nickel iron battery.
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