[RE-wrenches] (no subject)

[Ray Walters]

Mac;

Is this off grid?   The Intimidator is not a high cycle life battery.  
I've had trouble finding exact ratings, but its probably in the 250 to 
300 cycles at 80% DOD.  I'd expect 3 years max in an off grid 
application.  Also the Intimidators  I've seen are actually AGM, not 
Gel, but I don't know.  I looked on Deka's website but didn't find any 
good charge set points.  This is basically a sealed RV/ Marine battery.  
Definitely not a top choice, but its what the battery guys have on the 
shelf, so that's what they sell.
You're on to the biggest problem, pulling off opposite corners of the 
bank to balance the connector resistance between all the strings.
I go out of my way not to poo poo the customer's choice, but to make 
sure and let them know you can't guarantee the performance of the 
system.   I had almost the exact experience just a few months ago, where 
the customer had just bought a new set of Intimidators.  I just told him 
to use them up, no sense in worrying about it, and when they were worn 
out, we'd get him something better.  I used AGM setting on the Midnite 
controller on that system. Voltage set points should be his 
responsibility to track down, if their gel.  It keeps you from being 
responsible for anything to do with the battery performance or life.  
When he needs a new set, you sell him the right stuff, set it up right, 
and low and behold you'll look good when they outlast his previous sets.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 8/3/2013 5:31 PM, Mac Lewis wrote:
> Hello wrenches,
>
> I am looking for guidance with charging setpoints for a battery that I 
> don't have experience with.  This system was put in by another solar 
> company and this battery bank failed after 1.5 years.  He bought these 
> batteries without consulting us, but now we are stuck with them.
> It is a Deka Intimidator Gel Sealed Battery 12V 225 Ahr.  It is set up 
> as 3 strings of 4 batteries to give a 675Ahr bank at 48V.  The 
> batteries were not wired at opposite corners, but inverter/charger 
> leads were connected to the middle string.  We will fix that and other 
> things but I don't use Deka batteries.
> What charger setpoints would you recommend for this battery bank? 
>  Does anyone have a good tech contact at Deka?  Anyone have any 
> results to report about this type of battery in a solar application?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> -- 
>
>
>
> Mac Lewis
>
> *
>
> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>
> *
>
>
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