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Power Pak - "Power Storage" Defined!

The Solar Stik™ Power Pak 100(See also the Battery School Section)

The Battery (Power Pak) is the Heart of the Solar Stik™ System

The Two Primary Functions of a Battery:

A battery is designed to be used in a DC “closed circuit” as the primary means of storing power.  The Power Pak battery will require an ‘appliance load’ and a ‘recharging source’ for it to serve its purpose, so in effect, it has TWO roles, both relative to the flow of Power ‘in’ & ‘out’ of the battery:

  1. The Solar Stik™ is an unregulated power supply and can damage an appliance if direct connection is made.  The Power Pak serves as a buffer between an appliance load & power supply ensuring a steady flow of power for the application.
  2. The Power Pak stores power, making it available to the connected appliances only as they need it, increasing the overall efficiency of the entire electrical system.

Power Pak Battery Technologies

Power Pak batteries are designed SPECIFICALLY for power storage applications where energy density is critical.  All Solar Stik™ Power Paks utilize the most advanced Lead-Acid or LiFePO4 technologies available today, but can also be used in conjunction with nearly any 12 or 24 Volt battery system in the marketplace.

Factors to consider when choosing between batteries are:

  1. Maximum Power Availability(required from the battery in both ‘time’ & ‘current’ values)
  2. Power Management (solar charge controls, programmable circuits, Data-logging, etc.)
  3. Modular Expansion capability
  4. Weight
  5. Cycle Life
  6. Cost

Once the required characteristics are identified, the proper choice of Pak can be executed.

The battery for any Solar Stik™ System will require proper use and care, so it is important for the operator to fully understand the batteries.  The Battery School section is an easy-to-understand introduction to the most commonly-used battery technologies… including the Lead-acid  and LiFePO4 battery technologies.

“Application Engineering”

All Power Paks employ "Twin" batteriesAll Power Pak designs feature ‘twin’ or ‘multi’ battery configurations, providing redundancy and mitigating against reliance on a single battery.  This is important for operation in remote or austere locations, and extreme environmental conditions. 

Power Paks can deliver as much as 1000 Watt-hours of “USABLE ENERGY”… and are unparalleled in the industry for quality design & ruggedness. The construction of the Power Pak includes a ruggedized battery compartment which can handle repeated severe impact as well as operation in nearly any orientation.

The Importance of a Properly “Scaled” Battery Bank  

There are three factors that will affect the performance of a Battery (Power Pak):

  1. Depth-of-Discharge
  2. Rate of Discharge
  3. Battery Temperature

Mil-Series Power Pak with Expander Paks

The Depth-of-Discharge in conjunction with the Battery Capacity are fundamental parameters in the design of a battery bank.  The battery capacity is strongly affected by the discharge rate and the operating temperature of the battery. The higher the rate of discharge (power being removed from the battery) the less power it will yield.  Cold or Hot temperatures also adversely affect battery performance. 

The Power Pak uses a “deep-cycle” battery system, and it can be scaled using Expander Paks in accordance with the application.  A properly scaled Power Pak System will provide:

  • Reduced depth-of-discharge as power is taken in & out of the battery bank
  • Additional operation-time between recharges

The Power Pak battery design also provides the user with high cycle life. The Lead Acid AGM battery life expectancy is at least 700 cycles at 80% Depth-of-Discharge, and the LiFePO4 battery can be cycled up to 2000 times before replacements are necessary.

The Importance of Low ‘Self-discharge’ Rates

All Power Paks have a self-discharge rate of less than 2% monthly, making them ideal for applications where long-term storage is possible (EOC operations, Humanitarian, etc).

 

Battery Maintenance Charging

Solar Stik™ Power Paks use built in Battery Maintenance SystemIf a battery is being stored for durations longer than 30 days, It is prudent to place a battery maintenance device such as a Battery Pal or Pulsetech XC100-P onto the Power Pak.  This will ensure that if the Power Pak is always ready for use, and continually condition the Pak’s battery.    

The 12V DC Pro-Series Power Paks have a built-in battery maintenance system that employs a small solar panel mounted on the case. 

This 2 watt panel charges, equalizes, and de-sulfates 12 volt batteries at the same time, greatly expanding the life and service of the unit’s AGM battery bank.  Additionally, if the Power Pak is stored for extended lengths of time in a lighted environment, then the self-discharge due to inactivity is negated. 

 

AGM Battery information:

D.O.T approved as non-hazardous cargo for ground, sea, and air transport
DOT 49CFR173.159(d) (i) and (ii)
Flame retardant (UL 94 VO) PC-ABS plastic case and cover
UL approved

LiFePO4 Battery information:

D.O.T. approved as non-hazardous cargo for ground & sea transport
49 CFR 173.185 (b) “Passenger Aircraft carry-on Transport” -
49 CFR 175.10 (a) 18 (ii) “Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators”

Certificate / Test Data Report Number MPTS # 3216 (LiFePO4 Cell Certifications)

UL1642 Component Recognition Investigation on the Secondary Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Cell

Libertypak Components areTested and Certified to be compliant with  U.N. Sec 38.3
Meets Air Transport Safety Guidelines of DOT ATA & IATA