Ultralife Corporation is adding to its portfolio of sealed lead acid (SLA) replacement packs with its first 24V battery, allowing the company to expand further into robotics, energy storage and other traditional lead acid markets. Known as the URB24200, this lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack can power lightweight motorized and data back-up applications. Such applications can be found in industrial, medical, and defense settings. The new battery joins a range of ten LiFePO4 batteries that all offer uniform voltage during discharge and are significantly lighter than sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries of the same capacity, providing a sought-after balance of size, weight, and power.
The URB24200 is a secondary (rechargeable) battery pack with an average voltage of 25.6V, and a rated capacity of 20.0Ah. Up to two batteries can be connected in series, to produce 48V, and up to ten units can be connected in parallel, increasing the capacity to 228Ah. Each battery is more than three times lighter than SLA alternatives, weighing 8.1Kg (17.9lbs) compared with up to 45Kg (100lbs). This makes it suitable for applications including wheelchairs, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery replacements, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
Housed in metal to provide high structural strength and impact resistance, the internal cells and components are protected from mechanical damage. The metal housing material also offers stronger heat dissipation than plastic, allowing the battery to conduct heat more effectively during high-load operations.
The new battery can also store energy generated by any compatible renewable energy source, including solar panels and wind turbines, providing a green, environmentally friendly option. Furthermore, as it does not become gaseous during use, it can be embedded into devices in a ‘fit-and-forget’ way. Unlike SLA batteries, it can also maintain its nominal voltage over a wider temperature range. The total cost of ownership is lower than SLA too, especially when you consider that it can be fully cycled up to 2,500 times compared to 300-500 for SLA, potentially quadrupling service life.
Finally, the URB24200 is compatible with 2 phase SLA chargers, avoiding the need to purchase dedicated LiFePO4 chargers.
