Posted on 02/22/2011 8:18:28 PM PST by Cringing Negativism Network
check your numbers again. this time in 20 below temps with batteries that are half way through their life cycle.
Maybe just a wee bit ...
Yamaha also makes hybrid generators that can run on either gasoline, natural gas, or propane. Being able to run on any of the three makes it especially nice for disaster backup for a suburban homeowner. If you lose power but still have natural gas service, then you can run indefinitely. Lose natural gas, you can run on propane from your back yard gas grill or gasoline.
A classey solution to be sure, but I believe that our FRiend was looking to keep initial cost as low as possible, thus the $60 battery vs. the $ 200+ battery.
They’re both there on the shelf at Costco, and they both carry the same warranty.
>> “with batteries that are half way through their life cycle.” <<
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If you use desulfators, the life cycle issue essentially disappears, as long as you check electrolyte levels at no more than 90 day intervals. My oldest bank of batteries is now 14 years old and still performing as new.
which means at least 360 watts of solar panels, which will cost about $750 - $850 on todays market.
I'm looking at that battery and others for a power set up for a remote trailer without power and solar charging as well.
I will use a generator when I want to use the A/C or extended stays, but I intend to use the DC system between generator uses with Solar to recharge. I will have long periods (weeks) between usage so I can live with slow recharge and use the generator for times otherwise.
Since we use almost no oil to generate electricity, how would this help curb our oil imports?
I jumped a 12V to a 6 V once - and got to see a battery explode ... not fun...
They use a different technology. The batteries have the acid absorbed in a felt tupe material that is spiral wound in between the lead sheets.
It will not leak, even if a bullet is fired into the battery. That was one test OPTIMA did during development. We had one set of OPTIMA batteries last almost 15 years, and many lasted 10 or more years.
The OP said he's in southern California, I saw no need to bring charging / discharging temperature compensation into the discussion at this point or are you really trying to say that in 20 below temps with batteries that are 50% through their life they will charge at .001 efficiency?
Good point, we could cut our oil imports by about 1% and natural gas imports by about 16% which would still make it less expensive for me.
No, I’m saying you will. So stick that up your .001 sphincter.
Here’s a guy who sells solar powered generators... he’ll send a free DVD if you request one...
www.MySolarBackup.com
Phone number: 877-327-0365
What would be better?
Between lead acid and AGM? AGM of course...but in this case...one of the advantages of AGM batteries over lead acid is less weight...a factor on a moving machine...not in a solar bank.
“If you use desulfators, the life cycle issue essentially disappears, as long as you check electrolyte levels at no more than 90 day intervals. My oldest bank of batteries is now 14 years old and still performing as new.”
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Lots of great info on the thread thanks everyone. Do (sealed) lead acid batteries have the electrolyte issues you mention (presuming one cannot check since they’re sealed?)
In the spirit of doing everything small to start, currently using a 1-amp motorcycle desulfating trickle charger on my battery - hoping that will keep it from konking out from being cycled too far... Works for the little battery as a backup for the small solar panel (just 5 watts to start), and supposedly desulfates. So desulfating is a critical part of all this, I’m learning?
Some humor - about 2 hours ago I decided to test out my tiny backup rig to read FR. Got my pc powered 12v dc through a small car cigarette lighter inverter, which I hooked with an adapter to the tiny 8 amp-hour battery. Everything came up, and I went on the internet aok in something of a power-out simulation. Still relying on the isp connection, but everything beyond the wall connection anyway, was off-grid.
I logged into FR, and started to say the experiment was working great. I had a voltmeter hooked alongside, and was monitoring my voltage - which started about 11.8 volts when i logged on.
The DMM initially dropped to around 11.5 volts at boot, and hovered there a few minutes. Long enough to read Drudge, look at headlines, and then log into FR.
Initially I had thought I could ride the battery charge down to maybe 8 volts - but once it fell to just above 11 volts everything just shut down. Just plain *click* and everything went blank.
So the small battery, and a day’s worth of solar charge on the basic 5 watt solar panel (appx 1.5 square feet) seems to be enough for maybe 30 minutes of backup internet. After which I should still have enough left in the battery, to run a 12v low-voltage light overnight until it can be charged again solar the following day.
Not much, but it’s a start. :) Fun too, if one enjoys this sort of thing.
Slowly scaling this up, so far so good...
“What they said AND do not drain lead acid batteries below 10.8 volts. That will severely diminish their lifetime. INMHO solar is only cost feasible if your have absolutely no other choices.”
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Honestly that’s exactly the scenario I’m basing this learning hobby against.
Every day, the odds of that seem to inch slowly upward.
Besides it’s fun, haven’t had a good hobby for a while. Having a blast with this one so far. :)
Go for it if it is fun!!!!
Gell cells and AGM cells are sealed completely, so there is no electrolyte issue.
Both of those are very sensitive to deep discharging, which is why in systems that are expected to need to deep cycle, lead acid batteries are usually used.
In the case of your small inverter, there is a processor chip controlling it and it should sound a beep at 11.5 volts, and shutdown at 11.0 volts.
Q-cell 20 watt solar panel $59
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