Battery Life in Grid-Tie Systems [RE-wrenches]

[Justine Sanchez]

Hello wrenches,
 
Here is our question of the hour:  can you expect a greater life expectancy from a battery (sealed or flooded) when it is in grid-tied mode verses stand alone mode?
 
The thought being that it is not cycled as often, so yes they should last longer, right? Well we spoke with a sealed battery rep and he disagreed with this thought.  He said that when the battery is used with a sw inverter, and has a constant amp charge on the battery from being in float mode, that the plates of the battery actually deteriorate.  He said to expect 5-7 years in grid tied mode and 10-12 years in stand alone mode...(which seems strange to hear of sealed battery getting that long of a life.)
 
Then a flooded battery rep disagreed with the sealed battery reps belief of being able to overcharge a battery in float mode.  He said it was untrue on one hand, but then said to only expect 6-8 years from a L-16 battery in grid with battery back-up mode, which seems low.
 
So, what is your experience on this matter... 
 
Cheers!
-Justine Sanchez
SEI.


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