Battery care in grid BU systems (was net metered system question) [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar, Positive Energy, Inc.]

Bill (and my question is directed to all wrenches),
OK, I appreciate where you're coming from, but it's not what I asked. I have
several customers with Y2K systems (it's been over a year now), and more
with backup systems; some interconnected, some just floating away. Most of
them have 2V industrial cells, 1,000-1,600 ahr; a few have L16s.  What
should I advise them?
Allan @+E
 P.S.-I think that this on topic, and many of us can benefit from this
discussion. Anyone prefer I take this off this list?
Allan

> Great question--you are exactly right about our experience with off-grid
> systems. You almost have to forget everything you ever learned about
> off-grid batteries when considering an on-grid system. I am a firm
believer
> in Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries for on-grid systems for two major
> reasons.>
> 1. On-grid people will normally not mind their batteries (they don't check
> the oil in their SUV so how are you going to expect them to maintain
> batteries).
> > 2. More importantly, Lead-Antimony (golf cart, L-16 type) batteries have
a
> high self discharge rate. This causes higher losses at float than AGM
> (lead-calcium grids).
> > To answer your question, wrenches should be using AGM batteries in float
> application. These batteries should not be equalized and are designed to
> stay in float all the time. This is another reason that it is not
advisable
> to use Bulk charging since it is possible to gas a VRLA at Bulk voltages.
>
> Bill.
> > > -----Original Message-----
Most of our battery care advice is for off-gridders, who cycle their cells
routinely.  What is proper care
for batteries that sit in float all the time on grid-backup systems? How
often should they be equalized, if at all? And what is their life expectancy
in relation to mfgr's rated cycle life, and also to their real-world
expected life?


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