The Ultimate Guide to Backup Battery Servicing: How to Keep Your Backup Power Running Efficiently
Greenability Solar Installations
Published: 11 February 2025
Backup battery servicing is essential as Solar batteries are the backbone of any off-grid or backup power system, especially in South Africa, where load shedding is a constant struggle. A well-maintained battery can last over 10 years, but without proper care, performance can drop, leading to higher replacement costs and unexpected failures.
Many homeowners assume that once a battery is installed, it’s maintenance-free—but this is one of the biggest misconceptions about solar energy storage.
1. How Often Should Solar Batteries Be Serviced?
Battery maintenance frequency depends on the type of battery you have. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Lithium-ion batteries require the least maintenance, while lead-acid batteries need more frequent servicing due to water level checks and terminal cleaning.
2. Common Solar Battery Problems (And How to Avoid Them)
❌Issue #1: Battery Not Holding a Charge
Cause:
- Over-discharge (using the battery beyond its recommended depth of discharge).
- Sulfation in lead-acid batteries due to undercharging.
- A faulty battery management system (BMS) in lithium-ion batteries.
How to Prevent It:
✅ Set an appropriate depth of discharge (DoD)—most lithium-ion batteries should not be drained below 20%, while lead-acid should stay above 50%.
✅ Use a smart charge controller to optimize charging cycles.
✅ Regularly monitor battery voltage levels using a battery monitoring system.
❌Issue #2: Corroded Battery Terminals
Cause:
- Exposure to moisture.
- Chemical reactions from battery gases (common in lead-acid systems).
- Loose or poorly connected cables.
How to Prevent It:
✅ Check terminals every 3-6 months for corrosion.
✅ Apply petroleum jelly or battery terminal spray to prevent rust.
✅ Ensure all connections are tight and free from dust.
❌Issue #3: Battery Overheating
Cause:
- Poor ventilation around the battery bank.
- Charging at too high a voltage.
- Excessive energy draw from high-wattage appliances.
How to Prevent It:
✅ Install batteries in a cool, well-ventilated area.
✅ Set correct voltage and current limits on your inverter.
✅ Avoid overloading the battery by spreading out energy consumption.
❌Issue #4: Battery Swelling or Leaking
Cause:
- Excessive heat buildup.
- Overcharging.
- Poor-quality batteries.
How to Prevent It:
✅ Never place batteries in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
✅ Use a battery management system (BMS) to prevent overcharging.
✅ Invest in high-quality batteries with thermal protection.
3. DIY Battery Servicing: How to Maintain Your Solar Battery
While professional servicing is recommended for deep diagnostics, homeowners can perform basic maintenance to prolong battery life.
Step 1: Check Battery Voltage and Charge Levels
📌 Use a multimeter or battery monitor to check voltage and state of charge (SoC).
- Lithium-ion batteries: 12V battery = 13.2-13.8V when fully charged.
- Lead-acid batteries: Should read 12.6-12.8V when fully charged.
If voltage readings consistently drop, it may indicate battery degradation.
Step 2: Inspect for Physical Damage
✅ Look for swelling, cracks, or leaks.
✅ Check for loose wires or burnt marks near terminals.
✅ If you notice a strong sulfur or burnt smell, contact a professional immediately.
Step 3: Clean Battery Terminals
📌 For lead-acid batteries, corrosion is a common problem. Here’s how to clean them:
1️⃣ Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
2️⃣ Apply the paste to corroded terminals and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3️⃣ Scrub with a wire brush and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
For lithium-ion batteries, terminal maintenance is usually not necessary unless corrosion is visible.
Step 4: Verify Inverter and Charge Controller Settings
🔹 Incorrect voltage settings can lead to overcharging or undercharging, which damages batteries over time.
🔹 Make sure your charge controller is programmed correctly for your battery type.
If unsure, consult your battery manufacturer’s specifications or reach out to Greenability’s expert technicians for guidance.
4. When to Call a Professional for Battery Servicing
While basic maintenance can be done at home, some issues require expert inspection.
📌 Signs You Need Professional Battery Servicing:
❌ Your battery drains faster than usual, even with minimal use.
❌ The inverter keeps tripping or showing error messages.
❌ You notice swollen or leaking battery cells.
❌ The battery isn’t charging properly despite good sunlight exposure.
👉 Greenability offers professional battery health check-ups, diagnostics, and servicing to ensure your system runs at peak performance.
5. How Proper Battery Servicing Saves You Money
Investing in routine battery servicing means you:
✅ Extend battery lifespan—saving thousands on premature replacements.
✅ Improve system efficiency—ensuring you maximize energy storage.
✅ Prevent costly breakdowns—fixing small issues before they become expensive failures.
A well-maintained solar battery can last 10-15 years, whereas a neglected one may fail within 3-5 years.
👉 Don’t wait for your battery to die—schedule a servicing today!
📞 Call Now: (+27)21-201-2338
📧 Email Us: info@greenability.co.za
Ready to Power Your Home with Reliable Solar Batteries?
If you’re considering solar battery storage for your Cape Town home, now is the time to make the switch. A solar battery system ensures uninterrupted power, energy savings, and a sustainable future—especially in the face of load shedding. Whether you’re installing a new solar system or upgrading your existing setup, investing in high-quality solar batteries is a smart, future-proof decision that keeps your home powered when it matters most.
Learn More: Contact Greenability regarding Underfloor Heating
Learn more in our Complete Guide to Solar Installation in Cape Town.
Conclusion: Keep Your Solar Battery in Top Condition
Solar batteries are an essential part of a reliable backup power system—but without proper servicing, they can lose efficiency, fail early, and cost you more in the long run.
By following routine maintenance steps and scheduling professional servicing, you can ensure your battery provides maximum power storage and reliability.
✅ Need help with battery maintenance or diagnostics?
✅ Want a free battery health check-up?
👉 Book a Professional Battery Servicing with Greenability Today!
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Greenability Solar Installations
10 Mind-Blowing Battery Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
1. The First Battery Was Invented Over 2,000 Years Ago
In 1938, archaeologists discovered the Baghdad Battery, a clay jar containing a copper cylinder and iron rod. Scientists believe it may have been used for electroplating gold onto metal objects or producing an early form of electricity. This suggests that ancient civilizations might have understood electrical energy long before modern science.
📌 Did You Know? The Baghdad Battery predates modern electrical discoveries by nearly 1,800 years!
2. A Lemon Can Generate Electricity 🍋
You may have seen science experiments where a lemon can power a small LED light. This works because the citric acid in lemons acts as an electrolyte, allowing electrons to flow between a zinc nail and a copper coin.
💡 Fun Fact: It takes about 500 lemons to power a small digital clock for a week!
3. The Largest Battery in the World Weighs Over 1,400 Tons
The Bailong Battery Storage System in China is a giant lithium-ion battery farm capable of storing 800 MWh of energy. That’s enough to power 200,000 homes for a full day! Tesla has also built massive battery farms like the Hornsdale Power Reserve in Australia to stabilize electrical grids.
📌 Why It Matters: Large-scale battery storage is key to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
4. Cold Weather Can Kill Your Phone Battery Faster ❄️
Ever noticed your phone dying faster in cold weather? That’s because lithium-ion batteries slow down in low temperatures, restricting ion movement and reducing power output.
📌 Pro Tip: Keep your phone in an inside pocket during winter to maintain battery performance.
5. The First Electric Cars Ran on Lead-Acid Batteries 🚗⚡
Before Tesla and modern EVs, the first electric cars in the 1890s ran on lead-acid batteries. In fact, in 1900, one-third of all cars were electric!
📌 Why They Disappeared: Gasoline engines became cheaper and faster — but now, EVs are making a comeback with advanced lithium-ion batteries.
6. The First Rechargeable Battery Was Invented Before Light Bulbs!
French scientist Gaston Planté invented the first rechargeable lead-acid battery in 1859 — 20 years before Thomas Edison’s first working light bulb. These batteries are still widely used today in cars, solar power systems, and backup generators.
📌 Why It Matters: The same lead-acid battery technology still powers millions of vehicles worldwide.
7. Human Bodies Can Generate Electrical Energy 🧍⚡
Your body naturally produces electricity through ions in your cells. Scientists are working on nanogenerators that could harness this energy to power wearable devices like smartwatches!
📌 Future Innovation: Imagine charging your phone just by walking!
8. In the Future, Batteries May Be Made from Sand
Scientists have developed silicon batteries made from purified sand, which can store three times more energy than lithium-ion batteries.
📌 Why It Matters: These batteries are more sustainable, biodegradable, and could eliminate fire risks in smartphones and EVs.
9. The World’s Smallest Battery is Smaller Than a Grain of Salt 🧂
Scientists at Chemnitz University of Technology created a nano-battery as small as a grain of salt. It’s designed to power tiny medical implants and microscopic sensors.
📌 Future Application: Imagine batteries so small they could power nanobots inside the human body!
10. Nuclear Batteries Could Last for 5,000+ Years
Scientists at the University of Bristol have developed nuclear diamond batteries that can last thousands of years without recharging. These batteries use radioactive carbon-14 from nuclear waste, converting decay energy into electricity.
📌 Why It Matters: These ultra-long-lasting batteries could power deep-space missions and medical implants without needing replacements.