As our constrained power generation system once more dominates discussions and affects plans and traffic routes, South Africans will be all too aware of another inconvenience of load shedding, one which has potentially grim implications - battery backup for electric gate motors and alarm systems run the risk of becoming severely compromised during and after bouts of load shedding.

While this is a function of batteries being required to work overtime as load shedding forces longer and more regular intervals of needing to provide backup, it is also a function of battery chemistry. Most, if not all, batteries in the market presently that are designed for these purposes are lead acid batteries, meaning that if they are drained to below 50% charge, their lifespan and performance become compromised. If they are allowed to run completely flat, they’ll never be the same again.

This is purely a function of the batteries’ chemistry. “Think about when your car has stood for a long time and your battery was allowed to run completely flat,” says REVOV MD Lance Dickerson. “A completely flat battery can be recharged but its lifespan has been compromised. Many of us would have found ourselves in a situation where despite the battery being recharged, its performance kept downgrading to the point where we needed to replace it sooner than later,” he says.

Thankfully, advancements in technology have changed the way batteries are made. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are superior to lead acid batteries in every metric. While those who look exclusively at the crude measure of shop shelf prices would disagree, one only needs to weigh the performance, lifespan and safety profile of lithium iron phosphate batteries against their archaic lead acid counterparts to appreciate the value for money. In a 12V and 24V format, if built in series, lithium iron phosphate batteries are a more economical investment in the medium to longer term while keeping mission-critical applications  - such as security and monitoring systems - up and running during power cuts.

“These benefits, which are already plain to see in renewable installations and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems, are poised to take the pain out of a host of 12V battery applications, not least battery backup for electric gates, alarm systems, communication systems, off-site installations and even camping and fishing uses,” explains Dickerson. 

“These batteries are definitely a topic our teams are picking up as they interact with various stakeholders,” says Dickerson. “For example, those that live in housing estates or complexes where there is a lot of traffic find that their gate motor batteries get totally depleted far quicker, meaning they sit with a gate stuck open or the gate is switched to manual for extended periods of time. Home or office alarm systems are also affected, and in a country where security is important, we all want peace of mind if the power is cut.

“This is why we’ve introduced portable LiFePO and 2nd LiFe 12V solutions to the market. In 2022 there is absolutely no reason someone has to accept continually deteriorating battery performance in key areas every time there is a power outage,” says Dickerson, adding that after seeing the benefits of lithium iron phosphate batteries in larger uses, communities have been asking for the same thing on a smaller scale, but where they still have well-designed battery management systems and the option for remote, app-based Bluetooth monitoring.

Dickerson says that portable lithium iron phosphate batteries have far more uses than merely security. “Of course, security plays a key role in our country and around the continent, especially where businesses need to monitor or secure remote sites. However, in this country we also have a rich fishing and camping culture, and portable batteries that can stand the test of time without deteriorating at the rate of lead acid batteries - even when doing nothing in the garage -  is expected to be a game-changer,” says Dickerson.