Batteries

Kim Ianelli

Some background on batteries• All Lead-Acid batteries supply about 2.14 volts per cell (12.6 to

12.8 for a 12 volt battery) when fully charged. Batteries that are stored for long periods will eventually lose all their charge. This "leakage" or self discharge varies considerably with battery type, age, & temperature. It can range from about 1% to 15% per month. Generally, new AGM batteries have the lowest, and old industrial (Lead-Antimony plates) are the highest. In systems that are continually connected to some type charging source, whether it is solar, wind, or an AC powered charger this is seldom a problem. However, one of the biggest killers of batteries is sitting stored in a partly discharged state for a few months. A "float" charge should be maintained on the batteries even if they are not used (or, especially if they are not used). Even most "dry charged" batteries (those sold without electrolyte so they can be shipped more easily, with acid added later) will deteriorate over time. Max storage life on those is about 2-3 years.

Central Vermont Solar and Wind

• Business type: Wind and Solar power systems, sales and installation, retail sales of Renewable Energy Equipment

• Product types: lead acid batteries, DC to AC power inverters, energy efficient refrigerators and freezers, solar electric power systems, energy efficient lighting.

• Service types: installation, maintenance and repair • Address: 213 N. Main (US RT 7), Rutland, Vermont

USA 05701 • Telephone: 802-747-0577 • FAX: 802-773-0924

National Solar Supply

• www.nationalsolarsupply.com• Great links and battery

options

Surrette

• Rolls Dual Container Construction• More Power - Less Weight • Environmentally Friendly No Acid Leakage

• Each cell is assembled in its own inner container made of high temperature, durable polypropylene with the inner cover heat bonded to the container, thus acid leakage is eliminated. The cells are then assembled into a high density tough polyethylene outer container with a removable lid. Even if the outer container were to break the battery would still be operable without the harmful affects of sulfuric acid spills.

Surrette • 12-CS-11PS • Price $624.55 • 12-HHG-8D • Price $370.11 • 24-HT-80 • Price $80.75 • 27-HT-90 • Price $92.54 • 4-CS-17PS • Price $318.55 • 4-KS-21PS • Price $643.11 • 4-KS-25PS • Price $802.14 • 6-CS-17PS • Price $477.83 • Price $597.74 • 6-CS-25PS

• Price $717.63 • 6-EHG-31PS • Price $341.71 • 6-HHG-31PS • Price $286.73

• 8-CS-17PS • Price $637.11

• 8-CS-25PS • Price $956.84 • 8-EHG-31PS • Price $455.63 • 8-HHG-31PS • Price $382.30

• EIGH-225 • Price $131.22

• EIGH-262 • Price $151.41

• HT-8D • Price $316.29

• Surrette Canada 6CS-17PS Battery List Price $529.00Your Price $472.00, 6 for $2,719.00

• Surrette Canada 6CS-21PS Battery List Price $659.00Your Price $594.00, 6 for $3,421.00

• Surrette Canada 6CS-25PS Battery List Price $895.00Your Price $833.00, 6 for $4,750.00

Trojan Batteries

INSIDE TROJAN BATTERY

Where to buy:Northeast Battery 240 Washington StreetAuburn, MA

Zip/Postal Code: 01501-3225

Telephone: (508) 832-2700, (800) 441-8824

Fax: (508) 832-2706

Contact:

sales@northeastbattery.com

WebSite: http://www.northeastbattery.com

Some general (minimum - maximum) typical expectations for batteries if used in deep cycle

(solar) service:

• Starting: 3-18 monthsMarine: 1-6 years (note - "Marine" does not really mean anything official)Golf cart: 2-7 yearsAGM deep cycle: 4-7 yearsGelled deep cycle: 2-5 yearsDeep cycle (L-16 type etc): 4-8 yearsRolls-Surrette premium deep cycle: 7-12 yearsIndustrial deep cycle (Crown and Rolls 4KS series): 10-20+ yearsTelephone (float): 1-20 years. These are usually special purpose "float service", but often appear on the surplus market as "deep cycle". They can vary considerably, depending on age, usage, care, and type. Most are not true deep cycle.NiFe (alkaline): 3-25 yearsNiCad (pocket plate): 2-20 years

Manufacturers of Batteries

• Concorde: Sold under Sun Xtender, Lifeline, Chairman. Basically all the same except for minor differences such as terminal types. Also makes a wide variety of specialized aircraft (RG) and military types.

• Exide: Many private labels. Also owns GNB. • Rolls-Surrette: Primarily manufactured in Canada, US manufactured

batteries are sold under the Rolls name. Primarily deep cycle batteries for solar, railroad, motive power, and marine.

• Johnson Controls: Primarily makes automotive batteries under various names. Johnson Controls sold their Dynasty battery division a while back to C&D. Owns Optima Battery Corporation.

• Trojan: Sells a wide variety of deep cycle and automotive batteries under their own name, and also sells to many major chains, such as Sears, Walmart, etc. under private label.

• US Battery: Sells a wide variety of batteries under their own name, and also sells to many major chains, such as Sears, Walmart, etc. under private label.

• There are many more (hundreds!), for a full list and many other useful battery links see: http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/  

Good to know info

• Nearly all batteries will not reach full capacity until cycled 10-30 times. A brand new battery will have a capacity of about 5-10% less than the rated capacity.

In situations where multiple batteries are connected in series, parallel or series/parallel, replacement batteries should be the same size, type and manufacturer (if possible). Age and usage level should be the same as the companion batteries. Do not put a new battery in a pack which is more than 3 months old or has more than 75 cycles. Either replace with all new or use a good used battery. For long life batteries, such as the Surrette and Crown, you can have up to a one year age difference.

Lead-Acid batteries do NOT have a memory, and the rumor that they should be fully discharged to avoid this "memory" is totally false and will lead to early battery failure.

• Myth: The old myth about not storing batteries on concrete floors is just that - a myth. This story has been around for 100 years, and originated back when battery cases were made up of wood and asphalt. The acid would leak from them, and form a slow-discharging circuit through the now acid-soaked and conductive floor.

A very useful link

• http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/