flooded v. sealed batteries [RE-wrenches]

[Tom Simko]

  For the latest off-grid system I set up I chose a single string of
Surrette 8 V 820 AH batteries, I am a past user of L-16's. The three
Surrettes weigh in at 424 lbs each, no problem as I will deliver the entire
system at one time using my boom truck to install the prewired and mounted
PV array (pole mount) and to transport and set the batteries. Right now they
are still in the shop while we wait on the building contractor, so I have no
working experience with them yet, they sure look good though!

Tom Simko
Skyline Solar


on 9/28/03 8:49 PM, Jeff Clearwater at clrwater at earthlink.net wrote:

> Hi Wrenchies,
> 
> I haven't heard anyone chime in for Surrette's 25 line -  the big 6
> and 8 volters.  I have one set of 8 volters in the field and they are
> going strong but it's only been 5 years.  I like the size - a good
> compromise between L16s which seem to die to early and batteries that
> require fork lifts to just bring them in.
> 
> Others experience with the surrettes?
> 
> Jeff C.
> Village Power Design
> 
> 
>> Hello Wrenches
>> 
>> Joel's number are correct and represent an average lifetime.
>> 
>> What we shouldn't forget is that no system is "average." The number
>> one factor in battery longevity is the user. Regardless of battery
>> type and the balance of the system's design, it is the user is who
>> determines if the battery lives long or fails in a few years (or
>> even months).
>> 
>> A user who completely depletes the battery routinely without
>> routinely returning it to full state of charge will have a short
>> lived battery. A user who neglects the equalizing charges will have
>> a short lived battery. A user who neglects proper battery watering
>> will have a short lived battery.
>> 
>> Educate the user. Then nag them.
>> 
>> Richard
>> 
>> At 15:38 -0700 09/28/2003, Joel Davidson wrote:
>>> Bruce,
>>> 
>>> No argument here. PV systems with good forklift batteries that are properly
>>> sized to start with and well maintained last 10 to 15 years as
>>> compared to T105s
>>> and L16s maintained just as well that last 6 to 12 years.
>>> 
>>> Bob Hammond's battery survey at
>>> http://www.sandia.gov/pv/docs/PDF/IEEE2.pdf is a
>>> little dated but shows what batteries U.S. PV integrators were buying and
>>> selling.
>>> 
>>> Best regards,
>>> Joel Davidson
>> 
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