From: Rob Savoye (rob_at_welcomehome.org)
Date: 11/20/02
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 22:56:42 -0700 From: Rob Savoye <rob_at_welcomehome.org> Subject: new batteries for the domestead Message-ID: <20021120225642.C13605@welcomehome.org>
Today I had the fun of upgrading the batteries in my off-grid double domes.
I used to have 12 Trojan L16s, which where pretty much the standard. When they
started to show their age by not holding a charge well in the cold, (a real
problem here at 8700 feet) I decided it was time to replace them. After all,
they are about 8 years old, and it's really cold here alot.
Recently a company named Surette (Rolls Battery in Canada) has been making
off grid house batteries, but their history is making fork lift batteries.
Anyway, rather than replace the Trojans (with a 5-7 year life span) with more
of the same, I got crazy, and put in a set of 8 6CS-25PS, replacing the 12
L16s. The L16s are about 350AH, and the Surette's are about 850AH. So I
basically doubled my power, mostly to ride out the week long overcast winter
storms better, and so I can run some computers other than my laptop for work.
The interesting part was these batteries weight 320 lbs apiece! I had
to start by shoveling a long path for the truck in 2 feet of fresh snow, to
get the truck close to the power shed. Then hand trucking them into the power
shed was interesting... It was as much sledding as rolling...
After that, 2 hours of wiring, and all systems (12VDC, 24VDC, and 120VAC)
were fully back on line. Other than trying to move them, I like the Surette
batteries, and with a 15 year life span, I look forward to not doing this
again in 8 years.
- rob -