Crown CR-195 195Ah 12VDC Deep Cycle Flooded Lead Acid Battery

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of battery is the Crown CR-195?
The Crown CR-195 is a 12VDC commercial deep cycle flooded lead acid battery rated at 195Ah at the 20-hour rate. It is designed for applications that require repeated charging and discharging, including solar energy storage, renewable energy systems, backup power, RVs, marine equipment, and industrial applications.

What capacity does the Crown CR-195 provide at different discharge rates?
The Crown CR-195 has different amp-hour ratings depending on the discharge rate.

• 195Ah at the 20-hour rate
• 160Ah at the 5-hour rate
• 100Ah at the 75-hour rate

The actual available capacity depends on the discharge rate, temperature, battery condition, and other operating conditions.

How much energy does the Crown CR-195 provide for solar storage?
The Crown CR-195 is rated at 1.13 kWh at the 20-hour rate and 2.50 kWh at the 100-hour rate. Actual usable energy will depend on discharge rate, temperature, battery age, system losses, and the depth of discharge used by the solar system.

Is the Crown CR-195 a good choice for off-grid solar?
Yes. The Crown CR-195 can be used in off-grid solar systems designed around flooded lead acid battery technology. It is especially useful where the battery bank can be properly ventilated, charged, inspected, and maintained.

Can the Crown CR-195 be used for backup power?
Yes. The Crown CR-195 can provide stored energy for backup power systems when properly sized with the inverter, charger, loads, and desired backup time. The required number of batteries depends on the system voltage and total energy demand.

Charging & Maintenance

What type of solar charge controller works with the Crown CR-195?
The Crown CR-195 should be charged with a solar charge controller configured for flooded lead acid batteries. Charging settings should follow Crown's recommended requirements and match the complete battery-bank voltage and configuration.

Does the Crown CR-195 need electrolyte maintenance?
Yes. Because the Crown CR-195 is a flooded lead acid battery, its electrolyte level should be inspected regularly and distilled or de-mineralized water should be added when required. Proper maintenance helps support reliable operation and battery life.

What reserve capacity does the Crown CR-195 provide?
The Crown CR-195 provides 370 minutes of reserve capacity at a 25-amp discharge rate. Reserve capacity changes according to the discharge rate, so the rating should be considered together with the actual loads expected in the solar or backup system.

Why does the Crown CR-195 need ventilation during charging?
The Crown CR-195 is a flooded lead acid battery and can release hydrogen gas during charging. It should be installed in a properly ventilated location and kept away from sparks, flames, cigarettes, and other ignition sources.

What maintenance checks should be performed on the Crown CR-195?
Regular maintenance should include:

• Checking the electrolyte level
• Inspecting terminals and cable connections
• Checking for corrosion or physical damage
• Confirming proper charging performance
• Inspecting the overall battery-bank condition

Crown Battery Comparison

How does the Crown CR-195 compare with the Crown CR-185?
The Crown CR-185 and Crown CR-195 are both 12VDC flooded lead acid batteries in the BCI Group 921 profile. The Crown CR-195 provides 195Ah at the 20-hour rate compared with 185Ah for the Crown CR-185. The CR-195 also provides higher reserve capacity and rated energy while using the same listed dimensions.

When is the Crown CR-195 a better choice than the Crown CR-215?
The Crown CR-195 and Crown CR-215 share the same listed dimensions and 12VDC configuration. The Crown CR-215 provides 215Ah compared with 195Ah for the CR-195 and has greater rated energy and reserve capacity, but it also weighs more. The CR-195 can be a better fit when its capacity meets the system requirement without moving to the heavier CR-215.

Solar Application & Battery Life

How should the Crown CR-195 be sized for an off-grid solar system?
Sizing should be based on daily energy consumption, required backup time, system voltage, inverter efficiency, solar production, charging capability, and desired depth of discharge. The complete battery bank should provide enough stored energy for expected loads while allowing the solar array and charge controller to recharge the batteries properly.

Can Crown CR-195 batteries be connected in series or parallel?
Yes. Matching Crown CR-195 batteries can be connected in series to increase system voltage or in parallel to increase total amp-hour capacity. Proper cable sizing, overcurrent protection, battery matching, and charger configuration are important when building a larger battery bank.

How can I reduce unnecessary wear on the Crown CR-195 in a solar system?
Avoiding unnecessary deep discharges, maintaining proper charging, keeping the electrolyte at the correct level, and operating the battery in a suitable environment can help reduce battery stress. Regular system checks can also identify charging or connection problems before they affect battery performance.

Can the Crown CR-195 be installed on its side?
No. The Crown CR-195 is a flooded lead acid battery containing liquid electrolyte and should be installed upright. Upright installation also allows the battery to be properly inspected and maintained.

What should I check if the Crown CR-195 is not holding its expected charge?
Check the charge controller settings, charging source, battery connections, terminal condition, electrolyte level, and recent discharge history. Persistent undercharging, excessive discharge, high temperatures, poor connections, low electrolyte, and normal battery aging can all affect battery performance.