Difference between Inverter and Auto Batteries

What is the difference between Inverter and Automotive Batteries? This is a common question and most of the mechanics, battery dealers and inverter dealers are unable to answer it satisfactorily. To answer the question – there is a sea of difference between the two, batteries made for cars and trucks and batteries made for inverters, UPS or such power backup solutions.

To understand the basic difference, you will need to understand the usage of the two types of batteries; Auto Batteries and Inverter Batteries. Auto Batteries the batteries used for cars, buses and trucks are batteries designed and build to provide a very large amount of current for a very short period of time, usually just for a few seconds to crank the engine. The sole purpose of the Auto Battery is to crank the vehicle’s engine, once the engine is running, the alternator in the vehicle takes care of all of the power needs of the vehicle and also quickly charges the battery back to its full potential.

On the other hand, Inverter batteries are designed to provide a small amount of current consistently for longer durations of time. All the backup power solutions, Inverters and UPS, function by converting the DC current into AC current because all of our electric appliances run on AC power. The Inverter or UPS batteries provide the DC current over extended periods for these devices to convert into AC power. To achieve this, the Inverter or UPS batteries are discharged over a much longer time to much lower potential as compared to Auto batteries. That is why, UPS and Inverter batteries are also known as deep Cycle batteries.

To achieve the above, the design of the two types of batteries differ considerably. The automotive batteries consist of large number of thin plates. This provides a large surface area of plates to react with the electrolyte to produce higher amount of current quickly. The Inverter Batteries whereas consist of lower number of plates which are much thinker as compared to auto batteries. The electrolyte volume of the inverter batteries is also more to prolong the chemical reaction to produce current. This enables Inverter Batteries to provide a consistent amount of current for extended periods.

So next time you are out buying new batteries for your Inverter or UPS, make sure you buy the correct type. Incorrect type of battery may not provide the desired backup time. More so, use to automotive batteries for inverters will reduce the battery life considerably.

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