Hi im looking for some low cost batteries for a second system at a cabin out east ,im usually only there for one month out of the year , so dont want to spend big bucks just in case they walk away before i get back ,never had a problem but! Any sugestions on brand and model , its a 12 volt inverter and was thinking of around 250 amp hours of storage , i can use either 12 volt or 6 volt to make up a 12 volt 250 amp hour storage capacity or more storage is great , i now have two cheap interstate so called deep cycle (rv)batteries . Junk ! ,i also have a 10 year old deka deep cycle battery thats at the end of its life , so heres my chance to replace them all with a decent but not too expensive battery bank , im looking for best bang for a the buck . Thanks
Don
a pair of golf cart batteries
6v, 200ah about 90-100 bucks at any big store. Wire in series for a 12V 200ah bank
Yes - as Mike said 6v golf cart type batteries . East Penn Deka make good golf cart type batteries and they are branded under a few different labels. When you buy them look at the date code and make sure you get some manufactured within 6 months so they are fresh.
Which controller are you using ? Make sure the temperature compensation for your battery is set correctly .
Larry
Thanks for all the imput , my second system is using a kid charge controller ,260 -320 watts in solar panels ( depends on if i hook up the cheap panels with additional charge controller ) i do have a wizbang junior and battery temp sensor , i was thinking of golf cart batteries and im really impressed at my deka battery ( brand that i have ) thats 10 years old and is now near the end of its life , and $100 a battery im good with if i bought four . Just didnt want to spend $400-$500 per battery .
Thanks again
Don
Lead acid golf cart type batteries last a long time if you never run them down below 70 t 80 percent of their capacity, that you check and keep water so it doesn't get too low, and if you equalize them once a month or whenever they need it .
East Penn Deka has two golf cart type battery models - one is more capacity than the other and maybe better battery ( more lead in it).
If they are sitting for a long time you may want to just set the automatic equalize at the Absorb voltage every ten days with a longer equalize time ( one or two hours ? ) so it stirs up the electrolyte in them in case it stratifies.
Are you using ending amps or time to stop Absorb ? With new batteries I would monitor the specific gravity and amps to determine the ending amps point . There are other forum threads in more detail on how to find ending amps point doing this.
Also look up East Penn Deka solar charging parameters - or their other charging parameters guidelines and set your new batteries to the lower of the voltage ranges for Absorb and Float that they recommend.
Also make sure you update your Kid to the newest firmware .
http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Deka-Scrubber_Sweeper-Flyer-0009.pdf
East Penn Deka deep cycle batteries . The solar line they have many of the batteries are the same with different label - check the specs on each and you will see they are the same. An East Penn Deka battery supplier may get you this type for less $ though. Also I have seen some of these batteries in places like Batteries Plus chain with different labels on them - though Batteries Plus may change brands. Usually I think the model number would be the same as East Penn Deka though.
http://africanenergy.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Renewable-Energy-Charging-Parameters.pdf
Sam's Club used to sell golf cart batteries for good price but not sure who manufacturer was of those - maybe Exide ?
Larry
Thanks Larry ,for all the info ,at this point im not using ending amps due to the cheap interstate deep cycle ( lol) rv batteries ,( no specs from manufacture only cca , ) i have these batteries because they came with a new airstream trailer i bought ,i immediately remouved them from the trailer and replaced them with sunxtender A.g.m. Deep cycle batteries and brought the cheap interstate batteries out east to my cabin were they are showing very poor hydrometer readings ,one cell dead on one and other similar problems after one year , there no warrantee on these batteries because they go by date code on the battery , not when you buy the trailer ,so if the trailer was on the lot for a year you have no warrantee ! As for the software im using the latest 1860 dont think its out yet on the midnite site , and for equilizing the batteries since im only there for about a month in the summer and 2-3 weeks in the spring i dont like equilizing the batteries if im not there to top up the water in them or for a problem when im not there , thats also one of the reasons to buy cheaper batteries , this is one reason why i like deka batteries as the one i have there is 10 years old and with all the abuse its in better shape then my interstate 1 year old batteries .
Thanks again
Don
Ummmm... the latest FW is version 2126... http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1
Quote from: Taos on June 19, 2017, 09:16:01 PM
Thanks Larry ,for all the info ,at this point im not using ending amps due to the cheap interstate deep cycle ( lol) rv batteries ,( no specs from manufacture only cca , ) i have these batteries because they came with a new airstream trailer i bought ,i immediately remouved them from the trailer and replaced them with sunxtender A.g.m. Deep cycle batteries and brought the cheap interstate batteries out east to my cabin were they are showing very poor hydrometer readings ,one cell dead on one and other similar problems after one year , there no warrantee on these batteries because they go by date code on the battery , not when you buy the trailer ,so if the trailer was on the lot for a year you have no warrantee ! As for the software im using the latest 1860 dont think its out yet on the midnite site , and for equilizing the batteries since im only there for about a month in the summer and 2-3 weeks in the spring i dont like equilizing the batteries if im not there to top up the water in them or for a problem when im not there , thats also one of the reasons to buy cheaper batteries , this is one reason why i like deka batteries as the one i have there is 10 years old and with all the abuse its in better shape then my interstate 1 year old batteries .
Thanks again
Don
My suggestion was when you are not there to set equalizing for the absorb voltage - not the equalizing voltage. Set it to an hour or two every 10 days . It just stirs up the electrolyte which can stratify if batteries are not being actively used for a long period and are just in float all the time. That is what I have read . If they are not being used they just go from bulk to absorb to float quickly and that is not enough time to stir it up. So if you set the equalize to absorb you are not over charging - just bubbling the electrolyte for a longer time than it would do .
Larry
Quote from: Westbranch on June 19, 2017, 11:25:09 PM
Ummmm... the latest FW is version 2126... http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1
The latest software ( not out on the midnite site ) is 1860 ,Westbranch were talking about software for the kid charge controller not the classic .
Don
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on June 19, 2017, 11:38:15 PM
Quote from: Taos on June 19, 2017, 09:16:01 PM
Thanks Larry ,for all the info ,at this point im not using ending amps due to the cheap interstate deep cycle ( lol) rv batteries ,( no specs from manufacture only cca , ) i have these batteries because they came with a new airstream trailer i bought ,i immediately remouved them from the trailer and replaced them with sunxtender A.g.m. Deep cycle batteries and brought the cheap interstate batteries out east to my cabin were they are showing very poor hydrometer readings ,one cell dead on one and other similar problems after one year , there no warrantee on these batteries because they go by date code on the battery , not when you buy the trailer ,so if the trailer was on the lot for a year you have no warrantee ! As for the software im using the latest 1860 dont think its out yet on the midnite site , and for equilizing the batteries since im only there for about a month in the summer and 2-3 weeks in the spring i dont like equilizing the batteries if im not there to top up the water in them or for a problem when im not there , thats also one of the reasons to buy cheaper batteries , this is one reason why i like deka batteries as the one i have there is 10 years old and with all the abuse its in better shape then my interstate 1 year old batteries .
Thanks again
Don
My suggestion was when you are not there to set equalizing for the absorb voltage - not the equalizing voltage. Set it to an hour or two every 10 days . It just stirs up the electrolyte which can stratify if batteries are not being actively used for a long period and are just in float all the time. That is what I have read . If they are not being used they just go from bulk to absorb to float quickly and that is not enough time to stir it up. So if you set the equalize to absorb you are not over charging - just bubbling the electrolyte for a longer time than it would do .
Larry
Oh that makes sense,i wasnt thinking of that ,im sure this will extend the life of the batteries , i have done this on my primary system at home in the past just forgot .
Thanks again Larry
Don
Quote from: Taos on June 20, 2017, 07:12:32 AM
Quote from: Westbranch on June 19, 2017, 11:25:09 PM
Ummmm... the latest FW is version 2126... http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1
The latest software ( not out on the midnite site ) is 1860 ,Westbranch were talking about software for the kid charge controller not the classic .
Don
Guess you are more up to date than I am on the Kid firmware - hadn't heard about that new one but how would I if it isn't posted anywhere !
Larry
OOps, sorry Don looked at your sig line and saw the Classic 150 listed. My mistake. :o
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on June 20, 2017, 09:14:25 AM
Quote from: Taos on June 20, 2017, 07:12:32 AM
Quote from: Westbranch on June 19, 2017, 11:25:09 PM
Ummmm... the latest FW is version 2126... http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1
The latest software ( not out on the midnite site ) is 1860 ,Westbranch were talking about software for the kid charge controller not the classic .
Don
Guess you are more up to date than I am on the Kid firmware - hadn't heard about that new one but how would I if it isn't posted anywhere !
Larry
I had a problem with one of my kids charge controller freezing intermittent and was sent the 1860 firmware to fix the freezing situation , so far so good ! I guess thats why theres not much info out yet as i i think i saw something like around june 12/2017 date code in the firmware ,could be a beta version in final testing stages .
Don
Quote from: Westbranch on June 20, 2017, 12:44:42 PM
OOps, sorry Don looked at your sig line and saw the Classic 150 listed. My mistake. :o
No problem westbranch, in my signature i have more info on system one then my second system and ran out of room to give all the details of second system , plus i didn't mention which charge controller i was talking about , in each reply.
Don
Quote from: Taos on June 20, 2017, 09:14:39 PM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on June 20, 2017, 09:14:25 AM
Quote from: Taos on June 20, 2017, 07:12:32 AM
Quote from: Westbranch on June 19, 2017, 11:25:09 PM
Ummmm... the latest FW is version 2126... http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1
The latest software ( not out on the midnite site ) is 1860 ,Westbranch were talking about software for the kid charge controller not the classic .
Don
Guess you are more up to date than I am on the Kid firmware - hadn't heard about that new one but how would I if it isn't posted anywhere !
Larry
I had a problem with one of my kids charge controller freezing intermittent and was sent the 1860 firmware to fix the freezing situation , so far so good ! I guess thats why theres not much info out yet as i i think i saw something like around june 12/2017 date code in the firmware ,could be a beta version in final testing stages .
Don
Was the freezing problem happening on Kids that were synced together ?
Larry
I have two kid charge controllers ,not synced , one as backup and also used for charging multiple batteries at home ,the other at the cabin out east on my second system ,the one that the screen froze.What happened is i started a equalization late in the day figuring i had egnough time for it to complete ,and was at a neighbours cottage and came back after sunset, im the morning i noticed the screen on the kid was still showing equilazation and the backlite was on , i tried all buttons and none worked so i did a reset and all was good for the rest of the time i was at the cabin ( about 8 days ).
I brought the one with the problem home and updated the firmware to 1860 ,i have used it two times to charge two batteries here at home and all was good , the real test will be once it gets used up at he cabin for a month or so.
Don
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on June 19, 2017, 03:08:00 AM
Yes - as Mike said 6v golf cart type batteries.
Larry
My question is I have a detached garage at least 100ft away from the house. So I have been using AGM batteries as I can use these in the house. Has anyone ever heard of anyone using reg flooded batteries in the house? I figure they have to have a way to vent the gases! I live in Ohio and don't want them outside as it can get 20 below zero and that's hard on the batteries and cuts there available power as well. Looking for ideas as I'm sure there are other people in my situation.....
Quote from: svencool on June 22, 2017, 06:01:54 PM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on June 19, 2017, 03:08:00 AM
Yes - as Mike said 6v golf cart type batteries.
Larry
My question is I have a detached garage at least 100ft away from the house. So I have been using AGM batteries as I can use these in the house. Has anyone ever heard of anyone using reg flooded batteries in the house? I figure they have to have a way to vent the gases! I live in Ohio and don't want them outside as it can get 20 below zero and that's hard on the batteries and cuts there available power as well. Looking for ideas as I'm sure there are other people in my situation.....
I have had 4 golf cart flooded lead acid batteries in my camper for years and never worried about the gassing from them. I had them protected in a box that had big holes in it . I mean I wouldn't take a flame around it if it was heavy charging . If you think about it it is mainly hydrogen gas that comes off and that is light and dissipates in air quickly . My personal experience and opinion was no problem. Now if I had 10 or 20 of those in a small room I might have had more concerns.
I had water miser caps on them too which I believe recombines some of the gas in a catalyst to keep water loss down.
https://www.flowsystemsusa.com/index.html
Larry
the install manual for some wet NiCd SAFT batteries I have gave a formula to determine the minimum room size to house the batteries in , if under that ventilation was recommended.
[/quote]
I have had 4 golf cart flooded lead acid batteries in my camper for years and never worried about the gassing from them. I had them protected in a box that had big holes in it . I mean I wouldn't take a flame around it if it was heavy charging . If you think about it it is mainly hydrogen gas that comes off and that is light and dissipates in air quickly . My personal experience and opinion was no problem. Now if I had 10 or 20 of those in a small room I might have had more concerns.
I had water miser caps on them too which I believe recombines some of the gas in a catalyst to keep water loss down.
https://www.flowsystemsusa.com/index.html
Larry
[/quote]
Yea Well I know keeping batteries warm is better for them or they perform better when about 70 degrees. I just never thought you could put a flooded battery in a living space. That's why I'm asking questions and trying to learn from others experiences...... I don't want to be reinventing the wheel so to speak.... I have been looking for ways to build a sealed box and a fan sucking fresh air in and exhausting the box air out....
I just used 2 x 2 to make frame and plywood to make a box.
Here is article on health effects of batteries - see section on ventilation
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/health_concerns
Larry
I just picked up four costco golf cart 208 ah 6 volt batterries , not sure what brand they are but price was good and costco is a great company that takes care of there customers, once hooked up will have 416 Ah at 12 volts since i have a 12 volt inverter ( for now).
Don