Hydrocaps for IBE cells [RE-wrenches]

[Ezra Auerbach, DragonSun Consulting]

I concur with Bob's experience, at this very moment my poor batteries (13
years old) are looking very tired and I'm sure I should replace them, come
spring they'll have a few day's more autonomy and all will be forgiven for
perhaps yet another year.  Cold really zaps battery capacity!

Cheers,

Ezra
DragonSun Consulting


----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Maynard, Energy Outfitters <bob at energyoutfitters.com>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 4:04:42 PM
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Subject: RE: Hydrocaps for IBE cells [RE-wrenches]

> Gary,
> 
> We often hear from people this time of year about their reduced battery
capacity.  If the batteries are in an unheated area, the effects of cold
temperature seems to magnify the problem of aging batteries and their
performance.  I was using industrial 2 volt cells when I lived in the
Illinois River Canyon.  After 6-7 years use I noticed every winter about
this time their performance made me think it was time to replace.  Come
warmer weather all was well again.  I left there 5 years ago and the
batteries are still in use and performing the same way!  This might be part
of what you're seeing.
> 
> Regards,
> Bob Maynard
> Energy Outfitters
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Higbee [mailto:gary at windstreamsolar.com]
> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 3:26 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Hydrocaps for IBE cells [RE-wrenches]
> 
> 
> Wrenches,
> 
> I'm working with a client (on a system I did not install) who has Water
> Miser caps on the IBE metal-clad 2-volt cells (I think around 1300Ah).
We're
> seeing a lot of water loss (and pooling on top of the cells). I'm
wondering
> if Hydrocaps are an idea or if this (only) 5-year old bank is about done
> for.
> 
> I spoke with the folks who make the caps, and was sent a sheet with a
bunch
> of details to provide so they could be made. I would think there'd be a
> standard part number for these, though.
> 
> Three questions:
> 
> 1) The fact that we're seeing higher water loss and reduced battery
capacity
> suggests we're nearing the end of the life of these cells. Yes? Any
> suggestions to hang in there a bit longer? The cells were not equalized
for
> several years, though the client is now doing so.
> 
> 2) Regardless, have any of you used Hydrocaps on IBE cells? Where did you
> get them?
> 
> 3) Comments?
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Gary
> 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>                      ~ Windstream Solar ~
>      Gary Higbee  (gary at windstreamsolar.com)
>                      (541 ) 607-1818 (Eugene)
>                         (541) 954-3881 (Cell)
> Solar, wind, and hydro site analysis and system design
>     Components dealer and installation assistance
>  Energy Trust of Oregon contracted system inspector
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 
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