Bob & Susan, I'm really interested in what all you have set up. I checked out you batteries. Look really good. The Trogen L-16's are $300 now. I'm
sure yours would scare the living **** out of me.
Here's what I have, 6-120watt pannels, 4024 Trace inverter, X60 OutBack controler and 8-L-16 batteries
[Edited on 9-5-2007 by Hose A]
Bajalero - 9-5-2007 at 01:53 PM
Here's mine
Sorry Russ , that's just the best I could come up with right nowBob and Susan - 9-5-2007 at 02:27 PM
i'm first
how come "uranus" is not on the bottomcapt. mike - 9-6-2007 at 05:19 AM
Bob, does your batts have those moisture gas return caps?
if not you are going to need to hire a mex gunga din to check and fill them a lot!
hey - i'll do it!! i need a job !Bob and Susan - 9-6-2007 at 05:53 AM
i did the math
$700 plus tax and shipping plus import $$$
too much money...4baja - 9-6-2007 at 05:54 AM
mike, were can i get those caps?
Great for warming up quick snacks!
oldhippie - 9-6-2007 at 06:03 AM
bonanza bucko - 9-6-2007 at 07:48 AM
We have a 24 volt system at Alfonsian's with 10 Kyocera 130 watt panels, 8 Surette S530 batteries, a Trace 3624 Inverter and Trace Charge Controler.
We have had the system there since 2001 but we have had to modify and grow it.
The original Interstate L-16 batteries went bad last month and we replaced them with the Surettes above. We had to replace...through warranty...all
of the original 6 Kyocera solar panels due to a defect. Most people on the beach near us have a similar system because they were all installed at
about the same time by the same contractor. We all had the same trouble with the Kyocera panels. All the local batteries started to fail at the same
time about a year ago when they were just five years old.
But our batteries lasted almost a year longer than most others. The reason seems to be a "Desulfator" that we have. When the system charges to about
3 volts above rated voltage....27 volts for ours....the Desulfator puts a 60 cycle vibration on all the battery plates and knocks the sulfate off
them. Sulfate coating is what kills the batteries over time. We have the Water Mizer Caps that you guys have been talking about. They work good.
But I don't know where the our contractor got them.
We equalized the batteries only once in the six and a half years they were installed....mistake by us but it doesn't seem to have caused them to fail
too soon. The new ones will be equalized once every six months.
The price of batteries (lead) has almost doubled in the last six months. Some say the reason is EPA rules on toxicity. I don't know if that's true.
One good source of solar system supplies with really good prices is www.thesolarbiz.com. These people are in New Mexico but deliver batteries and supplies to vendors anywhere else. Their prices for batteries were
a lot better.....25% less...than any other vendors we could find. I think they have Desulfators and Water Mizer Caps.
Steve i got them at the Trojen store in phx
capt. mike - 9-7-2007 at 12:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by 4baja
mike, were can i get those caps?
any solar house or ind batt house will have them. check with Mex Ray here he is in the batt biz i think?
mine were about $6 each or so. not cheap but you don't ahve to fill them or check them as much the water re cycles out of the gas discharge i think.
hey!!
does that make me a "green" guy??!!
i might have to switch and start posting against LB........not.
Water Miser Caps
submarine_dbk - 9-7-2007 at 01:03 PM
I've found that the water miser caps vary in price dramatically on the Internet. I've found (and bought) 'em for as low as $3/each about 1 year ago,
but I'll be darned if I can remember where. Google 'Water Miser' and shop around. If I find the info, I'll post.
[Edited on 9-7-2007 by submarine_dbk]TMW - 9-7-2007 at 06:01 PM
Have any one used the sealed batteries like the red top, yellow top or blue top for solar panel power?Bob and Susan - 9-7-2007 at 06:09 PM
yes i know someone...
they aren't as forgiving as wet cell batteries...
if you overcharge them they could die...
go with the BIGEST HEAVIEST batteries you can afford...
"power baby"Al G - 9-7-2007 at 06:53 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
yes i know someone...
they aren't as forgiving as wet cell batteries...
if you overcharge them they could die...
go with the BIGEST HEAVIEST batteries you can afford...
"power baby"
Bob...you made a major investment in 6 volt batteries...and I know that is the standard way to go...but did you consider 2 volt???
If you did, why did you not go that way...considering the major space you chewed up with 6 volt? I see the big prices, but if you paid "X"...the 2
volt should be cheaper???...more durable...less maintances...less space...granted weight is an issue once ever 10-15 years.Bob and Susan - 9-8-2007 at 06:09 AM
i think russ has 6v
we invested in 12v batteries and STILL have 36 BIG dogs
my systen is 24v to reduce wire size to the inverter
most people understand 12v batteries because they are standard on cars
i think 2v would reguire too many cables and that's where you get voltage loss with corosion
my 40 marine batteries work well but take more maintence because of the many cables and small water area for the plates
Pescador - 9-8-2007 at 07:36 AM
Holy cow, now I know how you put 75k miles on the new truck, it must have been hauling batteries, like a few at a time. Bob and Susan - 9-8-2007 at 11:32 AM
Mayoral Trucking of Mulege hauled those BIG Dogs...
each battery weighs 272 pounds
i can't even move them let alone lift them
import fees were 20% of invoice
The Mayorals can move stuff up and down the coast for VERY resonable fees...
this is the way to move the BIG stuff
elgatoloco - 9-8-2007 at 12:21 PM
Susan, based on previous photos of your various sporting activities it is obvious to all that you are a great example of a well rounded individual. It
is heartening to see in the above photo that you are also well GROUNDED.
The wife and I have enjoyed watching the progress you,with the help of Bob, have been making on your bit 'o paradise. We hope the NEXT time we stop by
you guys will actually be there so we can do more then just peer thru windows and such.
were can i get those caps?
