[RE-wrenches] Battery Experience

[Howie Michaelson]

Although I'm not clear on this, my impression is that when flooded
batteries float for long periods of time, the electrolyte stratifies and
creates various aging problems, which is why I assume one would want to
cycle the batteries at least somewhat on a somewhat regular basis...

Howie
-- 
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™

Catamount Solar, LLC
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar Electric & Hot Water Incentive Partner
http://www.CatamountSolar.com
802-272-0004


On Fri, July 13, 2012 12:19 pm, toddcory at finestplanet.com wrote:
> "The more savvy customers I will recommend they turn off
>  the PV's when they are there to get a deep discharge in."
>
> um, why use up battery cycles unnecessarily like this?
>
> todd
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, July 13, 2012 7:28am, "Jason Lerner" <wapalco at rockisland.com>
> said:
>
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>> 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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>>
>>
>
>
>
> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
>
>
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