[RE-wrenches] Battery Experience

Fri Jul 13 07:28:44 PDT 2012

Hello John,

This time of year I service off grid summer cabins where people come up once a year for a few weeks.  The batteries in these systems generally do not die from over cycling,  but from over/under watering,  acid stratification, corrosion,  and generally being ignored.  The more savvy customers I will recommend they turn off the PV's when they are there to get a deep discharge in.

Could you recommend any thing else they could do to lengthen their battery bank lifespan? These systems generally have a small PV charging capability,  and float charge 350 days a year. It seems ironic that these systems that really never get used,  and my battery bank at home that gets used (but not abused) and cycled daily, will last the same number of years.

Thanks very much,

Jason Lerner

Waldron Power and Light Co.

On Jul 9, 2012, at 12:53 PM, John DeBoever wrote:

> Jason, Wrenches,
>  
> Thank you for your patience and positive statements on Trojan Battery Company. Last week was a busy and I was away from my desk most of the time with limited access to Internet.
>  
> Both the Premium ”RE” versions L16RE-A and L16RE-B, and, the Signature  L16P & L16H are great deep-cycles lead acid batteries for solar applications. The key differences between them are:
>  
> ü  The grid is thicker for the Premium “RE” L16RE-A and L16RE-B, which effectively reinforces further the frame strength which results into a greater corrosion resistance;
> ü  There is relatively more electrolyte in contact with the plates in the Premium “RE” L16RE-A and L16REB, which enhances the electrochemical reaction, particularly during PSOC;
> ü  The rubber-based multi-rib geometry separator is approx. 30% thicker for the Premium “RE” L16RE-A and L16RE-B, which translates into a longer life of the separator. The thicker multi-ribs geometry keeps over time the acid channels open longer, promoting the flow of the electrolyte . As a result, the thicker separator is reducing the risk of stratification and enhancing electrochemical processing throughout the plates, resulting into longer continuous performance of the battery.
> ü  In the approx. same form factor (except the height), this results into more lead per Ah capacity on the L16-RE units nameplate.
>  
> As a consequence, the cycling performances of the Premium “RE” is 1,600 cycles @ 50% DOD and 4,000 cycles @ 20% DOD. Respectively 1,200 cycles # 50% DOD, and, 3,000 cycles @ 20% DOD @ 20% DOD, for the L16-P & L16-H.
>  
> I hope this helps. Let me know if I can shed further light on other attributes of lead acid batteries.
>  
> Sunniest regards,
>  
> John
>  
> John F. DeBoever
> Global Technical & Projects Director – Renewable Energy
> Trojan Battery Company
>  
> 12380 Clark Street
> Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
> Tel: +1-562-236-3000 Ext. 3139
> Cell: +1-845-514-7600 – NY office time zone: USA EST (GMT-5)
> Skype: john.f.deboever
> Fax: +1-562-236-3239
> jdeboever at trojanbattery.com
> www.trojanbattery.com
>  
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Lerner
> Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 11:26 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Experience
>  
> I am back to using Trojan's after 12 years of trying others,  none seem to last as long for the L16's.  Could anybody explain the technical differences between the Trojan L16 and the L16RE-B's.  I have read all the brochures but would like to understand what is going on in there instead of getting the marketing of DuraGrid™, MaxGuard® XL separator and Alpha Plus.
>  
> Thanks very much,
>  
> Jason Lerner
>  
> Waldron Power and Light and Co.
> On Jun 29, 2012, at 6:41 PM, Jonathan Hill wrote:
> 
> 
> Over 20 years experience with them says you can't go wring with Trojan!
> Jonathan Hill, senior system engineer and founder
>  
> Sierra Solar Systems
> 563C Idaho Maryland Road
> Grass Valley, CA 95945
> Celebrating our 32nd year in solar!
> tech info and foreign orders:  (530) 273-6754 
> order line: (888) ON-SOLAR (US only)   FAX:  (530) 273-1760
> e-mail:  <mailto:solarjon at sierrasolar.com>
> world wide web:  <http://www.sierrasolar.com>
> 
> Check out our 2 minute video at: 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY-0UuabPEk
> 
> 
>  
> On Jun 29, 2012, at 12:42 PM, Dave Palumbo wrote:
> 
> 
> We have had less than stellar performance out of the Crown L-16’s that we installed 4 to 5 years ago. Premature failure is my experience. About 60% of the cycle life compared to Trojan L-16’s and also Surrette/Rolls. I’ve been using those since 1985.
>  
> Back to using Trojan. Specifically RE-B’s either L-16, or T-105. And have used Trojan Industrial IND 13-6V on one system with good success with another set ordered.
>  
> Dave
>  
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of SunHarvest
> Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 11:56 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Experience
>  
> Just got talked into buying Crown (395Ah at 20Hr) as my local rep, "the battery expert", was persuasive in his testimony to their reliability. Should've consulted wrenches first.
>  
> Should I be worried??
>  
> Eric Stikes
> SunHarvest Solar
> +1 (530) 798 - 3738
> www.harvesthesun.com
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