[RE-wrenches] wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB

[john]

William,
   Back to the original question you posed.  I have had good luck with Interstate L-16 batteries (so far).  My first ones were installed in 2005 so I am just at the 7 year mark.  I just looked some today and they are now failing at 7 years... one string of 4 real strong and the other 3 strings showing a weak battery in each.  This system has been heavily abused with deep cycling due to generator problems and undersized PV array (and large loads).  This was the system installed in a shed to power construction of a "modest" house that turned into a 3 story 5000 sf house and 3000 sf barn with 1200 watts of PV.  I added another 1600 watts and now will be adding more along with new batteries.  I have had lots of problems with the Trojan L16 HC's.  Virtually all that I sold (may 5 or 6 systems) had premature failures. (1 to 3 years).  I have seen comparable results with the Interstate L16 and the standard Trojan L16, but the interstates were considerably less expensive.  I also have an Interstate supplier one block from my shop so convenience is part of the plus.  I have had a few with leaking cell tops but was able to get instant replacements at no charge.   On the question of grid tie, I had a set of 24 Trojan L16's last 12 years with one cycle per month performed by the owner.  Off grid, however, around 7 years seems to be the norm.

John



-----Original Message-----
From: William Miller <william at millersolar.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Tue, Feb 14, 2012 3:45 pm
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB


Colleagues:
Do any of you have experience with Interstate L-16 batteries?  Are they a 
ood value?
Thanks in advance,
William Miller
Miller Solar
oice :805-438-5600
mail: william at millersolar.com
ttp://millersolar.com
icense No. C-10-773985
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