[RE-wrenches] Outback 200 RE

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

Jerry (and Chris),

I can't agree that there is nothing better than FLA batteries. It depends on may factors. For example, many of our customers are only using their system seasonally. When away for up to 6 months, an AGM or GEL battery will be far superior unless you have a knowledgable person servicing the bank every month.  If your customer is not fully dedicated to understanding and then actually caring out all the requirements of owning a flooded bank (watering, equalizing, keeping a log book, testing, cleaning, …), then I would not suggest FLA. 

Chris, designing and installing battery based systems require lots of understanding. You will likely be the one educating your customer and resolving problems for many years. The single most important item to install in any off grid system is a battery capacity meter. Its like a fuel gauge so you can see what you are doing with your battery bank. Check out Blue Sky Energy and Bogart Engineering.

Suggesting Rolls (very high quality) and Interstate (cheapest battery from JC) in the same sentence…well, that just made my teeth hurt. 

Larry 



On Jan 18, 2014, at 7:21 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:

My mistake nothing better then FLA vented,  I would stay away from centurians I have had a lot of premee failures, rolls, interstate and the big boys Hawker can last 20 years. Also nickel  iron no not metal "iron" cost alot but you should never need to replace them my last set was 35k for 900 amps
Jerry

On Jan 18, 2014 4:20 PM, "Chris Mason" <cometenergysystems at gmail.com> wrote:
This is for an off-grid system.


On Sat, Jan 18, 2014 at 8:07 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:
For for grid tie system l I would only use AGM weather it be interstate or rolls and amps per buck is better over time
Jerry

On Jan 18, 2014 3:16 PM, "Chris Mason" <cometenergysystems at gmail.com> wrote:
We don't do a lot of off-grid systems so I am short on experience with battery systems. I have a 8KW Radian system for which I am considering Rolls Surrette or Outback 200RE AGM batteries. I know people like the Surrettes, what is the experience with the outback battery system? 

-- 
Chris Mason





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