[RE-wrenches] Battery recommendation WAS: Rolls batteries

Thu Oct 22 13:06:32 PDT 2015

I have done stuff like this in the past, I would suggest talking to your local battery distributors and explain what you are doing they may be able to go to bat with there manufactures for you.
Good luck 
Jerry

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<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Allan Sindelar <allan at sindelarsolar.com> </div><div>Date:10/22/2015  8:19 AM  (GMT-10:00) </div><div>To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> </div><div>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery recommendation WAS: Rolls batteries </div><div>
</div>I have a related question, please. One of my longtime off grid clients is a single woman who maintains a nonprofit sanctuary for about 30 rescue dogs, both adoptable and not adoptable (curious? www.bridgingtheworlds.org). With that many animals, Beverly seldom     leaves her remote land and her support and sustenance comes primarily from donations. Her existing system is a 18-year-old SW4024/Solar Boost SB50, with 800W of old array and eight L16s. 

The L16s were takeouts from another job that I figured had some life left (used for two years in another contractor's Sunny Island GTBB system without telling the customer that he needed to add water regularly). I gave them to her at no cost and they lasted three years but are now dying fast.

At my suggestion she has been running a GoFundMe campaign that has raised $2900. I have already told her that I'll do the swapout at no charge. I told her that the choice of her next set of batteries would depend on the money she raised: we have another 24V set of 820A/hr Rolls that I think has some life left, or we can afford 8 L16s, or with the most generous donation total I'll order a set of     HUPs and they'll last her the rest of her life (or maybe not - she's healthy, beautiful and independent at 71 years). 

So, my question: At $3,000 and 24V, what would you sell her? This is bound to bring varied opinions, but I want to look beyond what I would select based on price and get other Wrenches' suggestions. I'll add that while the array is small and old, she lives well on very little energy, and has a TriMetric and a backup generator. 

Thank you for your opinions.
Allan

Allan Sindelar
allan at sindelarsolar.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
505 780-2738 cell

On 10/22/2015 11:50 AM, penobscotsolar at midmaine.com wrote:
As with Tump, we have been using the KS series for over 20 years with
little issue. My own particular caveat is that we have now started to use
Crown as well and are finding them as rugged, easier to move (metal cases
with handles), with built in water miser caps, and a better warranty, and
with great success. I also echo Tumps sentiments with Roy at RAE. We have
been buying from him since our inception in 1988.

Daryl

The 5000 series are what we always recommend and install for my off grid
clients. 2 volt cells are the only way we go. Despite what folks believe,
we find it easier to handle the KS series then the L16.
We have been using them for many years and as with ANY manu, they have and
had issues BUT...... we feel w/ proper system sizing, education of the
client & record keeping we have yet to have an issue w/ warrantee claims.
That being said we have had a long relationship W/Jamie Surrette and his
supplier, Roy Early and his crew at RAE Battery,  one of the best
suppliers in our 27+ years.
On Oct 22, 2015, at 11:15 AM, Kristopher Schmid wrote:

Hi Wrenches,

Anyone using Rolls Surrette batteries?  Happy with them?  Worth the
extra $$$?

Thanks for the feedback,
Kris

--
Shine On!

Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
864 Clam Falls Trail
Frederic, WI 54837
www.legacysolar.com
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE
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