In addition, when someone leaves the system for long periods of time,
the ending amps can help BUT that is
not the same as giving them a good de-sulfating Absorb cycle once in a
while.
This is where it is nice to give them a good Absorb for some hours
without the ending amps but only
every so often. Maybe once per week or two ? Jay and I talked about a
"Vacation Mode" a while back..
The Classic can be set to skip a number of days of Bulk/Absorb cycles.
This works well.
You can also set a high battery temperature to stop charging at. It's in
one of the CHARGE menus.
There are all sorts of neat things you could do to keep FLA batteries
alive longer I think.
Like what Kent Osterberg in Oregon mentioned... Every so many days,
start a timed Absorb
after the current has fallen below ending amps.
So many good ideas, so little time !
boB
On 5/22/2015 10:17 AM, Dan Fink wrote:
Bill; The Whizbang can mount on the main shunt, and has an included
mounting option that lets you piggyback the wires from another
amp-hourt meter on it. I have mine with a magnum ME-BMK piggybacked on it.
Dan Fink
Buckville Energy
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342
On Fri, May 22, 2015 at 8:28 AM, frenergy <frene...@psln.com
<mailto:frene...@psln.com>> wrote:
Hey Jay,
From what I've heard form battery manus, the C rates
likely even in a well PV-ed system still will not produce C-rates
high enough to approach a high or "longevity reducing" internal
battery temp, assuming a typical bulk, absorb, float cycle. Of
course, battery environmental location (typical temps) would set a
baseline from which batt temp would rise from. Here in the
Sierra, ambients are not very high 95% of the time.
Just curious, how does the wiz bang account for all
loads...2 shunts?
Thanks,
Bill
Feather River Solar Electric
----- Original Message -----
*From:* jay peltz <mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>
*To:* RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
*Sent:* Thursday, May 21, 2015 8:07 PM
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] FLA battery setpoints with larger
arrays
Hi Allan,
I like the classic/wiz bang jr. This allows really good end
amp control as all loads are accounted for.
Higher C rates equal higher internal temps which definitely
will shorten the life.
On Thu, May 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Allan Sindelar
<al...@sindelarsolar.com <mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>> wrote:
Wrenches,
In the last few years I have changed my approach to off
grid system sizing, primarily due to higher battery costs
and lower module costs. Rather than shooting for a
traditional 80-90% of winter load profile target, I will
size a larger array and smaller battery bank, figuring
(especially here in the sunny Southwest) that batteries
will recharge more quickly, will spend more of their time
full (and thus last longer), and will be at least
partially charged during cloudy weather. This even allows
for smaller battery banks that are cycled more deeply (as
long as there's a backup gennie in the mix); the lower
cost of a smaller size may allow for a set of
higher-quality industrial cells.
I first began to rethink my design approach after reading
Christopher Freitas' Solar Pro article on large battery
banks a few years ago. Being able to refill in a day was
part of his strategic approach to battery bank design. I
used and wrote about this approach in my tiny house
article in the current Home Power. However, I'm just
beginning to get owner feedback about greater water
consumption and the need for more frequent watering. This
is especially the case when I add array to an existing
system, and the old watering schedule is suddenly not enough.
When I design new systems I now encourage larger arrays
and smaller battery banks, as the batteries spend more of
their time happily full and recover more quickly after a
discharge period. But I am thinking that I will have to
begin changing charging setpoints in response. Flooded
batteries have a range of recommended bulk setpoints, from
28.8 to 29.6 volts on a 24V system. When arrays were
smaller we set to the higher end of the range to take
advantage of topping off when available, and a two hour or
longer absorption was considered beneficial, as long as
the CC could transition to float at 2% of capacity or so.
With a larger array a better approach may be to lower the
bulk/absorption setting, as well as reduce absorption time
and raise the float transition current ("done amps").
I'm writing to encourage a discussion among off grid
Wrenches. Are you changing the relative relationship
between array and battery capacities? If so, how are you
adjusting charge controller setpoint programming? For
example, how would you program a Midnite Classic, Outback
FM or Schneider XW if you could achieve a C/10 or C/15
charge rate?
Thanks, Allan
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com <mailto:al...@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 <tel:505%20780-2738> cell*--
Jay Peltz
Peltz Power
jay.pe...@gmail.com <mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>
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