[RE-wrenches] Frozen T-105s

[Luke Christy]

I would echo Mark's comment. 
Some years ago I worked on a bank of 2V Telco batteries that had gotten frozen. Granted, they were not frozen solid, but after thawing and putting them back on charge they recovered. Hard  to say how much capacity was lost, but the last time I checked in on them (last month), they were still operating. Those big C&D telco batteries are something else. This is a full-time use remote house situation with an old-school 12V system. The batteries were made in 1974 and they are still working today even with the freeze issue, which was probably 20 years ago at least!

-Luke


On Dec 3, 2015, at 9:47 AM, <mark at hurshtown.com> wrote:

> >>> Completely thaw them before attempting to charge them. <<<
> 
> If there is ice only on top of the cells, it is unlikely that the batteries are damaged.
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Frozen T-105s
> From: Feather River Solar Electric <info at frenergy.net>
> Date: Thu, December 03, 2015 9:00 am
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> 
> Hey Folks,
> 
>         I came across an off-gridder yesterday whom was getting zero support from the dealer he had purchased his small system from, self installed, batteries in a lightly insulated box outside.  When I inspected the electrolyte levels I discovered it was frozen in some cells, the voltage of the 48 volt pack was ~8 volts, I didn't check individual batteries due to these facts...I'd seen "enough".  Recently temps have been in the high teens, though we are back up to low 30's.
> 
>         He does not have a genny or battery charger! I have a DC genny which I could use to charge these batteries but should I waste my time and his money trying to save them?  Others' experience with this situation?
> 
> TIA,
> 
> Bill
> <FRS_working_logo, 50%.JPG>
> -- 
> Feather River Solar Electric            
> Bill Battagin, Owner
> 4291 Nelson St.
> Taylorsville, CA 95983
> 530.284.7849
> CA Lic 874049
> 
> 
> 

Luke Christy

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25 
NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03       


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