life expectancy of sealed batteries [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

<x-flowed>

If any wrenches have not read Richard Perez's classic "The Complete Battery 
Book," there are reasonably priced used copies at Alibris and a few other 
places.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Tritt" <solarone at charter.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: life expectancy of sealed batteries [RE-wrenches]


>
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>> - - - -
>> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>>
>> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>>
>> Archive of previous messages: 
>> http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>>
>> List rules & how to change your email address: 
>> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>>
>> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>>
>> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: 
> http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>
> List rules & how to change your email address: 
> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
> 


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at re-wrenches.org

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------


</x-flowed>