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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1497
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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Sounds like a date, I'll be the old guy with almost no white hair. Wear a rose so I know its you.
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by larryC...over 8 years out of the FLA batteries, I'd say they are doing something right. |
Low number of cycles per year probably. Battery life is X cycles, not Y years.
[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Alm]
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by baja43
So, I buy them; bring them to Colonet; install them; switch to float for 24 hours with no load and they are good to go??? No individual charging with
battery chargers prior to installation? |
Float IS one of charging modes. It's a charging at low voltage ~13.6V per pair, when batteries are full but still require a little current because
they always require it due to self-discharge.
They are supposed to be full or almost full from the store. Check the voltage - it should be close to 6.3 - and hook them up to solar. If they are
good, the controller will go into Absorb after a few minutes, and then into Float. Let them float for a day, and then use them as you normally do. I
assume This is your controller. If so, it's a decent 3-stage charger, though there is no temp compensation if you don't buy their optional sensor.
Without sensor it will assume that batts are always at 77F, and when they are not, it will provide a wrong voltage.
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baja43
Junior Nomad
Posts: 53
Registered: 12-21-2004
Location: Vista/Colonet
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Yes, that is the device mounted in our control room. And, yes, I understand (kinda) the difference between float, bulk and equalize....when the
system is running well, as it has until recently, the float charge rate is the one in operation.
I'll follow thru after I have made the purchase and installation and let all you guys know the results.
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1497
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alm
| Quote: | | Originally posted by larryC...over 8 years out of the FLA batteries, I'd say they are doing something right. |
Low number of cycles per year probably. Battery life is X cycles, not Y years.
[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Alm] |
Well yes and no, battery life is many times rated in cycles but years is also a telling factor in a batterys condition. I have some 10 year old
batteries that have never been used, would you buy them?
Any way you look at it 8+ years on a fla golf cart battery is pretty good service. I have seen many a golf cart battery here in Bahia stone dead after
only 2 to 3 years. Maintenance and proper charging are keys to longer battery life. Starting out with a good battery is also a step in the right
direction. Usually you get what you pay for, so cheaper is usually not better in the battery world.
Larry
Larry
Larry
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
| Quote: | Originally posted by Alm
| Quote: | | Originally posted by larryC...over 8 years out of the FLA batteries, I'd say they are doing something right. |
Low number of cycles per year probably. Battery life is X cycles, not Y years.
[Edited on 3-22-2014 by Alm] |
Well yes and no, battery life is many times rated in cycles but years is also a telling factor in a batterys condition. I have some 10 year old
batteries that have never been used, would you buy them?
Any way you look at it 8+ years on a fla golf cart battery is pretty good service. I have seen many a golf cart battery here in Bahia stone dead after
only 2 to 3 years. Maintenance and proper charging are keys to longer battery life. Starting out with a good battery is also a step in the right
direction. Usually you get what you pay for, so cheaper is usually not better in the battery world.
Larry
Larry
Larry |
absolutely. we've all heard the adage "battery's never die we murder them" no doubt proper
maintenance and charging is key but like Larry points out, start with a good quality battery. the more impurities in the negitive plates, the quicker
death will come. these impurities are the reason batteries self discharge. davids point about the quality of distilled water might be valid but the
key is the integrity of the lead used. buy quality batteries 
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