equalizing and exercising [RE-wrenches]

[Jeff Yago]

Most of our projects are large off-grid residential and we have found the "ol" reliable battery technology to hold up just fine, as these systems see a daily discharge/charge cycling of around 25%.  Most off-grid L-16 battery banks have easily lasted 6 years with good performance, and a few even longer. 

However, any project we installed that was grid connected and included a large battery bank (many short term power outages in area was reason for purchase) have not held up as well.  We are starting to reduce battery bank sizes for grid connected systems as most grid connected clients rarely follow directions about test cycling and battery watering.  We return 1 or 2 years later to find dry hot batteries that are worthless.  

For these grid connected clients subject to one or two power outages per year, we are starting to install a 2 to 3 kW grid connected solar system (no batteries) which gives them their solar savings, and a 8 to 12 kW back-up propane fueled generator for all critical loads.  The generator transfer switch provides a weekly cycling and there is no battery bank to maintain.  The generator usually ends up costing about the same as a large battery bank and the generator can provide power much longer than a battery bank.   

I have found only an off-grid homeowner will really take care of their battery bank, and for good reason.

Jeff Yago

_____________________________________________________________
Netscape.  Just the Net You Need.


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