[RE-wrenches] High End battery

Tue Mar 28 09:10:18 PDT 2017

Hi Mac,

We have at least three off grid high elevation inaccessible systems in Euer Valley that are buried into the spring, since the beginning of November this year, all using the Deka AGM’s or Concorde AGM’s. They go about 9 to 10 years before we need to replace them. One has a ground mount array that is disassembled and put out of the 10 to 20 feet of snow this Sierra crest valley usually receives, this year over 600 inches easily. The cross country ski area is still in full swing, hope we can drive in by June…

Chris Worcester

Solar Wind Works

NABCEP Certified PV Installer

Office 530-582-4503

Cell 530-448-9692

Fax 530-582-4603

www.solarwindworks.com

chris at solarwindworks.com

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mac Lewis
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 5:36 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] High End battery

Hi Wrenches,

Thanks for the opinions.  I am aware crawl space is not ideal for all sorts of reasons.  I can't get into this cabin until late May or June and I don't remember the layout real well.  Best case scenario is that we will be able to relocate the batteries.  

Regardless of battery location, I need a battery that is resilient, and can take minimal homeowner interaction, and cool temps through the winter.  My initial thought was a set of AGMs as well.  My only real concern with them is if we had a PV failure mid-winter and the batteries were sitting without a charge for 6 months, so I was looking to see if there was a chemistry that this wouldn't be a concern.

Thanks

On Mon, Mar 27, 2017 at 1:13 PM, Chris Worcester <chris at solarwindworks.com> wrote:

Hi Mac,

I do like the Concorde SunXtender AGM batteries, first one I bought in 2002 is still ticking, it sits in the yard built into a rolling tool case with a ProStar-15 on a 20 watt module and an Exeltech 250 w inverter, charging my gen set’s charging battery. (most nights here in Truckee go well below freezing).

I’d go to their L16 sized AGM 2V PVX-12150-HT that’s rated to 1215 Ahr’s at the 24 hour rate. Put in two or three strings max. 

I don’t like to see batteries in tight crawl spaces though, even with these it’s best to check the torque (70 inch pounds) on occasion, check for corrosion ( I use a high temp lithium wheel bearing grease to slather up the cable ends and terminals prior to installation), and be able to read individual cell voltages and terminal temps. See if there is a better location.

Chris Worcester

Solar Wind Works

NABCEP Certified PV Installer

Office 530-582-4503 <tel:(530)%20582-4503> 

Cell 530-448-9692 <tel:(530)%20448-9692> 

Fax 530-582-4603 <tel:(530)%20582-4603> 

www.solarwindworks.com

chris at solarwindworks.com

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mac Lewis
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2017 5:53 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] High End battery

Hi Wrenches,

I've got a customer that has an older off-grid system with a 5 string ~2000 Ahr (No I didn't install this) L16 battery bank that is failing.  Its a Trace SW 4024 system where the batteries are located in a difficult-to-access crawl space where I'm sure they never got watered.

We'd like to have these characteristics:

1.  Modular (need to be able to get them to the crawl space)

2.  Maintenance free

3.  Able to be abused and bounce back

4.  Compatible with an Outback MX 60 charge controller (preferably)

5.  In case of charge controller failure, we'd like the batteries to be able to go over the winter with no charge and not be damaged

6.  Need about 30-40 kWh bank size

7.  Able to withstand cool temps (operate decently at 45F) withstand near freezing temps over winter (with no usage)

8.  Price tag isn't a big constraint with these customers

What are some batteries you might recommend?

Thanks in advance
-- 

Mac Lewis

"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates

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-- 

Mac Lewis

"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates

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