Batteries are vital components of electrical systems, which make our daily lives stress-free. Unfortunately, you're never going to enjoy the top-notch performance of your electrical devices unless you make the ideal battery choice.
In this article, we explain the technical details of the 12V and 24V battery packs to help you figure out what option could be best for your needs. But that's not all. You're also going to understand the evolutionary journey of batteries and how we apply each of the two options in real life. Now let's get into the details.
An Overview of The 12V Batteries
Battery technology began on a significantly lighter note, with the available options not being able to supply current long enough. Early batteries were also not rechargeable, and people had to replace them with new ones once all the power had been utilized.
Having to replace the batteries after use, therefore, pushed scientists to keep researching for better solutions.
The Arrival of The Rechargeable 12V Batteries
After years of consistent research, rechargeable batteries emerged, a revolution that made batteries generally more economical to use than ever before. Then even though the output was still mostly at 6V, the capacity of batteries improved significantly, making them ideal for more critical applications.
To keep up with the demands of the rapidly advancing electrical ecosystem, batteries underwent further upgrades. This gave birth to the current 12V batteries, which you can put into almost any kind of electrical application.
Understanding The Technical Specifications of The 12V Batteries
Mastering the technical details of 12V batteries is crucial for making the right choices during purchases. Below are some of the technical aspects of 12-volt batteries we believe you should know.
Power Supply At High Current
The power (P) output of a battery is equal to the product of voltage (V), current (I), and time (t). (That's, P = VIt). According to this equation, the power output p is directly proportional to the voltage V, and current I within a given period, t.
So, we can say that the higher the voltage or current is the higher the power. However since the voltage is lower in 12V batteries as compared to their 24V counterparts, the current must go up to compensate. That's why 12V batteries supply power at a relatively higher current.
Unfortunately, the higher current rating has some problems. For instance, the electrical wiring needs to be robust enough to withstand the high current, and that will require more money to install. More funds would also go into maintenance costs since the high current output puts immense pressure on the wiring system, making it wear out quickly.
The Total Amount of Electrical Energy
The total amount of electrical energy your battery can carry on a full charge is vital when choosing between a 12v and 24v battery. The total energy is equal to the product of the capacity rating in Ampere Hours (Ah) and the voltage.
Therefore, (Energy = Capacity * Voltage). Based on this equation, energy increases with an increase in voltage provided that the capacity rating is constant. So, if you have two batteries, 12V and 24V, with the same capacities, say 200Ah. We can estimate the total amount of electrical energy each of them would carry when fully charged as follows.
Energy = Capacity * Voltage. So, for the 12v battery, the total energy = (200Ah*12V) = 2400 Watt Hours (wh). Then for the 24V battery, the total energy = (200Ah*24V) = 4800wh. This shows that a 12V battery carries much less electrical energy than a 24V battery of the same capacity as the above calculations reveal.
Compatibility
Compatibility with electrical systems and appliances is another important thing we would like to show you about the 12V batteries. Because they were the first ones to come, the 12V batteries integrate seamlessly with most electrical appliances. This can give you peace of mind as a user and improve your productivity significantly.
The extensive compatibility of 12V batteries with electrical devices also implies that you're always going to get their charging systems easily. To successfully charge a 12V battery, your charger needs to supply from 13.8 to 14.8 volts.
The Rate of Discharge
The rate of discharge is the measure of how fast a given battery can drain its energy when it's in use. The 12V batteries usually exhibit higher rates of discharge. That means they can't supply power for lengthy periods. Therefore, We would highly recommend 12V batteries for short-lived processes such as when changing from the utility supply to a backup power generator during an outage.
What Are Some of The Advantages of 12V Batteries?
Going for a 12V battery instead of a 24V one leads your way to the following benefits.
Readily Available
The availability of 12V batteries makes them the ideal choice for most people because you can get and purchase them anywhere. That means, turning your power installation dream into reality is straightforward when you go for the 12V batteries.
Compatibility With Most Appliances
The other strongest trait of a 12V battery is how easily you can integrate it into various electrical systems. This is because a majority of the available electrical devices have been designed to take in 12V power.
Lower Initial Costs
You might find buying 12V batteries a little more affordable especially if you're on a budget. They're relatively cheaper due to readily available accessories such as chargers among other things. On the contrary, you would spend more money in the long run on maintenance-related issues because of the destructive high current flows associated with 12V batteries.
More Portable
If you compare them to their 24V counterparts, 12V batteries are lighter in weight, making it more seamless to take them from one spot to the next. But there's something else. The batteries are also smaller in size, which means the installation space is less likely to be a challenge.
An Overview of The 24V Batteries
The 24V batteries we see today emerged as a result of the continuous improvement of the 12V batteries. The primary driver of the advancements in battery technology was the growing number of more complex and power-hungry electrical appliances. For example, EVs, medical facilities, and large-scale solar power installations, among other uses, incorporated larger inverters that could no longer rely on the usual 12V batteries, and the 24V battery packs came into the scene.
Technical Specifications of The 24V Batteries (Comparative Analysis)
There are several technical aspects of 24V batteries everyone should know. Here are some of the most critical ones we selected for you.
Current Rating
Unlike the 12V option, 24V batteries don't have to supply high currents because the higher voltage of 24 compensates for that. That means a 24V battery would meet the power requirements despite the lower current ratings.
The low current 24V battery supply also minimizes the need for a more robust wiring system. The other fantastic thing about the lower current rating is that it limits or prevents damage to the electrical wiring, thus keeping costs down in the long run.
Energy Capacity
You cannot talk about a power system minus mentioning its energy efficiency characteristics. 24V batteries generally exhibit higher electrical energy efficiencies than their 12V counterparts. The 24V battery packs store more electrical energy because of the higher voltage rating.
For example, if you have a 12V and a 24V battery both with a 300Ah capacity, the total energy that the 24V battery can store is equal to (Voltage*Capacity) = 24V*300Ah = 7200wh. On the other hand, the 12V option with a similar capacity would store a maximum of (12V*300Ah) = 3600wh. The results show you that 24V batteries are generally more energy efficient than the 12V option.
Discharge Rate
As opposed to the 12V batteries, a 24-volt battery exhibits a relatively lower discharge rate. This means it can supply power for many hours before getting completely drained. So, if you're looking for a battery to use as a backup, you might want to consider a 24-volt option, especially if your area is prone to prolonged blackouts.
Compatibility
You can't enjoy the same amount of compatibility 12V battery packs allow with a 24V battery. This is because their introduction came a little later when most appliances were already in use. Therefore, the areas you may use 24-volt batteries are a little bit more limited. Additionally, you require special chargers for the 24V batteries because recharging them demands a somehow higher voltage power supply.
Some Pros of 24V Batteries
Settling for the 24-volt batteries usually comes along with a set of benefits, and they include:
High Energy Efficiency
24-volt batteries store more electrical energy than same-capacity 12-volt options. As a result, 24V batteries can supply you with power consistently for several hours, making them ideal for power-intensive applications.
Long-Term Cost Effectiveness
While they cost more to purchase, 24V batteries bring on board lower maintenance costs. This is because they supply power with low current, which causes minimal destruction to your electrical wiring system and appliances.
Long Distance Power Transmission Capabilities
Unlike a 12V battery, a 24V battery makes it possible for you to transport power over relatively longer distances. The higher voltage of 24 ensures that there are minimal power losses during transmission.
Suitable For Modern Large Scale Applications
The ability of the 24-volt batteries to store more energy and supply power at high voltage makes them ideal for various modern real-life uses. For example, they power EVs and large solar backup systems in domestic and industrial setups.
The Verdict
The suitability of the choice between 12V and 24V batteries varies from one person to the next as it depends on purpose and other things like budget. So, if you prefer extensive compatibility and a low initial cost but with a higher maintenance cost, a 12V battery might be your best deal.
On the other hand, a 24V battery brings on board things like extensive run times, long-distance transmission, low maintenance costs, and higher energy efficiency. Please always assess your energy needs and intended purpose upfront to make the correct decisions.
