life expectancy of sealed batteries [RE-wrenches]

[Matt Tritt]

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I'm with you, Todd. Properly maintained flooded batteries perform very 
well in off and on grid applications when there is actual attention paid 
to them. I typically have seen L-16's last 4 to 5 years in severe 
service, and up to 10 when babied. I have replaced sealed batteries 
(installed by others) after being in service for < 1 year, because they 
would not take a charge. I also have to admit that I have very little 
patience for people who refuse to take some kind of resposibility for 
their own systems, whether it happens to be through a maintenance 
contract, or a designated family member that does the work. With the 
current price of lead, you would expect that wrenches make sure their 
customers proactively protect their investment.

Matt T

Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services wrote:

>
> I have had too many problems with sealed batteries, even on grid ties 
> with battery backup... so everyone gets wet cells from me now. I have 
> the customer check the water levels monthly when they do their EQ 
> which stirs the stratified electrolyte. Most customers get 10 to 12 
> years out of them.
>
> Todd
>
>
>
> Drake Chamberlin wrote:
>
>>
>> At 06:11 AM 1/7/2008, you wrote:
>>
>>> Not sure what batteries you were using but we have many off-grid 
>>> systems with L-16 batteries that easily lasted 8 years or longer. 
>>> Most of these had battery "rooms" and it was easy for the homeowner 
>>> to check and water the batteries every few months
>>
>>
>>
>> It seems that L-16s work decently in off grid applications, but fail 
>> where they are not regularly cycled.  The most convincing explanation 
>> that I've heard is that the acid concentrates in the bottom of the 
>> cells when they do not get regular cycling, and damages the plates.
>>
>> Whatever the reason, even with good maintenance and monthly cycling, 
>> they seem to last about four years on grid, in my experience.
>>
>> Drake
>
>
>
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