Hi Mac;
That system sounds like a couple of systems I looked at last year. SW
inverters and the batteries back in a crawl space with (surprise) no
watering. We ended up decommissioning one of those, as the new owner
was no longer interested in solar backup. The crawl space definitely
doesn't meet code, and doesn't meet even my basic 3rd world sensibility
either. Using sealed batteries is not an excuse, it still needs to be
somewhat 110.26 compliant to check cell voltages and replace batteries.
Just removing those old L 16s from the crawl space is nasty, dangerous
work. My guess is this would be subject to OSHA rules for hazardous,
enclosed spaces as well.
First plan to relocate the batteries, then lets have a discussion on
what brand is going to be used.
R. Ray Walters
Chief Technical Officer, RemoteSolar.com
BS Mech Engineering, 1988
Former NABCEP Certified, 2004-2016
Licensed Master ELectrician, Colorado
303 505-8760
On 3/27/17 7:52 AM, Dana wrote:
I have had several similar successes with the Full River L-16 style
AGM batteries too. The only drawback is for larger bank capacities,
pushing 12 & 16 batteries to a bank.
Full River AGM get thumbs up in my book.
For larger capacity, I have used the DEKA Unigy II also reconfigured
the only real hassle is the horizontal install in a tight place is
back breaker & a half.
One note – the crawl space installation does not sound like it meets
code……… Though I have been down there myself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc.
*208.721.7003 [email protected]*
Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374
NABCEP # 051112-136 www.solarwork.biz
_"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" ___
*P*Please consider the environment before printing this email.
*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]]
*On Behalf Of *Dave Palumbo
*Sent:* Monday, March 27, 2017 7:33 AM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches' <[email protected]>
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] High End battery
Mac,
I have had good success using Full River AGM's in difficult
situations. One system near the Canadian border here in Vermont had no
homeowner care for two months in the winter. PV array became covered
with snow and they had left their inverter on to run a refrigerator.
Of course the batteries became discharged and they were in
temperatures well below freezing. I was brought in to assess and
service the situation. I found these 6v 250AH AGM's with about 4 volts
each. I assumed they were ruined.
Nope. I brought them back to my shop and warmed them up, charged them
and then did a load test and they all tested out at or above
manufacturer specs. They have been working well for another three
years now.
David Palumbo
Independent Power LLC
462 Solar Way Drive
Hyde Park, VT 05655
802-371-8678 cell
802-888-4917 home
*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]]
*On Behalf Of *Mac Lewis
*Sent:* Monday, March 27, 2017 8:53 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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