[RE-wrenches] Flooded Lead Calcium Batteries (was Re: Electrolyte level measurement)

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar offgridsolar at sti.net
Thu Feb 29 10:26:34 PST 2024


Hi Brad,

I would add to what you wrote that some ventilation measures were 
required on both types of battery below in a failure mode.
That was my experience with them back in the day.

Dave Angelini Offgrid Solar
"we go where powerlines don't"
    [5]https://offgridsolar1.com/ [6]  [5]
e-mail  offgridsolar at sti.net
text 209 813 0060

On 2024-02-29 8:54 am, Bradley Bassett via RE-wrenches wrote:

> The C&D flooded calcium alloy batteries are indeed a good choice for 
> float service backup batteries if flooded batteries are acceptable for 
> the installation. I've seen these and other similar batteries last far 
> longer than 20 years. Anyone remember the round AT&T cells?
> 
> I've always promoted the East Penn Unigy II AGM batteries for the same 
> reasons, except they are sealed instead of flooded.  They are also 20 
> year batteries in float backup operation. They have extremely low self 
> discharge so maintain grid tie efficiency. They take up much less floor 
> space than the flooded versions, and don't require acid control or 
> ventilation measures.
> 
> Brad Bassett (ret.)
> 
> On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 6:32 AM Todd Cory via RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> You are welcome!
> 
> With the recent thread disparaging the "new and better" LFP batteries, 
> I thought I would remind folks about a ~100 year old battery chemistry 
> that Windy Danoff originally introduced me to. These have been, and 
> still are the mainstay for telecom and commercial power generation 
> backup.
> 
> Note that these are considered "shallow cycle" (50%) batteries, so not 
> appropriate for off grid, but they are the perfect battery for grid 
> tied systems which float 99% of the time. They are very low self 
> discharge, last 20 years, and basically consume no water... which is 
> why I suggested these as a possible solution to Bill's thread about 
> battery watering.
> 
> In ~4 years, when my existing 16 year old set of Surette FC420's need 
> replacing, I will happily replace them with the C&D version. I had 
> considered LFP, but the problems wrenches are having, combined with the 
> expense has me sticking with what works. The only real advantage of LFP 
> is lower weight/ kWh, but for stationary batteries that doesn't matter, 
> plus flooded lead calcium's are about 1/3 the price.
> 
> Todd
> 
> On Thursday, February 29, 2024 1:26am, "david quattro via RE-wrenches" 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> said:
> 
> THANK YOU TODD
> for teaching me about an existing battery chemistry I didn't previously 
> know about. Awesome!
> 
> David Quattro
> CA License # 954020. C-10, C-46
> ph (415) 312-2661
> www.quattrosolar.com [1]
> 
> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 10:33 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> Todd:
> 
> Thanks but I think you need to reread the question.  I asked for input 
> on how to more easily check electrolyte liquid level in flooded 
> batteries.  These are batteries that are already in place in multiple 
> locations.
> 
> I got responses on how to fill batteries or what type of batteries to 
> purchase.  I am not going to advise my clients to replace perfectly 
> good batteries.  I also have a pretty good tool [2] for filling 
> batteries.
> 
> Maybe we should just let this thread die...
> 
> William
> 
> Miller Solar
> 
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
> 
> 805-438-5600
> 
> www.millersolar.com [3]
> 
> CA Lic. 773985
> 
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On 
> Behalf Of Todd Cory via RE-wrenches
> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2024 10:19 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Cc: toddcory at finestplanet.com
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Electrolyte level measurement
> 
> https://www.cdtechno.com/search?query=lead+calcium&refinementList=%5B%5D&page=1
> 
> Lead-Calcium
> 
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 9:37pm, "William Miller via 
> RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> said:
> 
> Todd:
> 
> This is about batteries that exist.
> 
> William Miller
> Miller Solar.com
> 805-438-5600
> www.millersolar.com [4]
> 
> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 1:23 PM Todd Cory via RE-wrenches 
> <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
> 
> Another option for grid tied with battery based systems, is to use 
> flooded lead calcium batteries which last 20 years and only need about 
> 20 ml/ cell, added every 3 years.
> 
> Todd
> 
> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. 
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Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
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Links:
------
[1] http://www.quattrosolar.com/
[2] 
https://www.phlsci.com/product-lines/battery-watering-gun/model-gun-x/
[3] http://www.millersolar.com/
[4] http://www.millersolar.com
[5] http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
[6] https://offgridsolar1.com/
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