[RE-wrenches] Quantity of L-16 in a string

[Dana]

Question to the battery wizzs' here and this may have some impact on the
current thread.-

 

I was told long ago by a Trojan battery rep. in 1990? that we should not
extend beyond [12]  L-16s in a bank due to too many connections and to many
cells to achieve a really go balance on the cell to cell charge.  I have
seen this to be a reality over the years though I have no concrete evidence
other than observation. The more L-16s in a bank the more imbalance  or
probability of imbalance due to the greater of cells and interconnects,
points of connection, number of strings. 

 

At [12] L-16s I have seen the longest life at 8-9 years and any # of
batteries beyond it drops off to the 5-7 year range. This is all, off grid
observations as I have not seen any L-16 wet lead acid in grid tie
applications.

 

Manufacturers could you chime in and wrenches what is your experience?

 

Thanks

 

Dana Orzel

 

Great Solar Works, Inc

E - dana at solarwork.com  

V - 970.626.5253

F - 970.626.4140

C - 970.209.4076

web - www.solarwork.com 

 

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of john
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 9:18 PM
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] wrenches] Interstate L-16 vs Trojan L-16REB

 

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 
good value?
 
Thanks in advance,
 
William Miller
 
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: william at millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com <http://millersolar.com/> 
License No. C-10-773985
 
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