AGMs in hot climates... [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

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Jim,

AGMs are used because of their superior performance at float charge levels
for float charge applications--on-grid battery-backup systems. Off-grid
systems are NOT their best application. No "sealed" battery, AGM or gell
will work well at extreme temperatures (the temperature range given by the
manufacturer is likely having more to do with short-term temperature
fluctuations, not full-time service. Flooded batteries will provide much
better performance at high temperatures than either AGM or gelled VRLA
batteries. Why the desire for a maintenance free battery?

Every 10C hotter you run a battery, it cuts the life in half, so don't
expect long life at high temperatures. Another reason not to use expensive
VRLA batteries.

Bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Duncan [mailto:ntrei at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2005 6:09 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: AGMs in hot climates... [RE-wrenches]

Has anyone got first-hand information about Concord Sun Xtender AGMs in 
~90 F summer off-grid situiation? -40 F to +160 F is their operational 
range if you believe their www site. 
My client doesn't want to have to install an air conditioner in the 
insulated power room of an un-conditioned 2000 sqft metal maint. 
building since it would have to run off the inverter. Any chance these 
batteries are up to that sort of hot Texas weather performance? The 
Wrenches archives didn't deal much with high temperature performance of 
AGMs, mostly just performance vs. gels. 
Thanks
Jim Duncan
North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
Fort Worth, Texas

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