New Solar Array and Core Charges, Ditch Lead?

I'm curious what others are doing for battery setups since core charges in MN are going for 20% of the cost of the batteries for Golf Cart batteries. The batteries them self aren't bad prices at about $91 after 10% for online orders but a $22 Core fee starts to eat into a 8-12 battery setup. Lithium powerwalls are starting to look like more attractive.
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Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
I turned in a Costco battery, and they gave me back the old core charge (from my purchase history) even though the current core charge was higher.
- Bill
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
-Bill
As for core charge and the future If you only buy the same batteries type and size you should be ok. Since in our area the core charges range from $10 to $60 depending on size. But just a heads up might be an issue if you wanted to upgrade types. I've also heard some places are very relaxed on trade in or core price per AH. I have a call in with a battery distribution company to see if bulk orders are same price but I expect they are.
A local EV supply place (EVWest) has some very tempting Tesla modules - 3kwhr 57 volt at $212 a kwhr. But they are lithium ion, not lithium iron phosphate, and the risk of fire is too high for me.
That's great bill, did you get the 18 180AH cells you had mentioned in a previous post? I have enjoyed using my LFP bank over the past year. Of course it's nice to have a full bank in the evening, but no worries about not getting a full charge or leaving them in a partial state of charge if you have to. Nice charge efficiency also. My only regret with LFP is not getting a bigger bank.
Rick
Lead can easily be recycled in batteries. Lithium cannot. The other metals in Li batteries are more valuable that the Li.
https://waste-management-world.com/a/1-the-lithium-battery-recycling-challenge
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2017/03/ignore_the_label_oregon_bottle.html
It is for all bottles, not just glass ones, it includes plastic and aluminum as well.
I don't do much retail, but here in Texas I am forced to collect $2/battery under 12v and $3v for 12v or higher for retail level sales. That gets sent to the state as an "Environmental Recovery Fee."
"Core charges" around here are simply an income stream for retail battery sales people because junk lead-acid batteries are worth $.35/lb. on the recycle market - and people expect to give up their old battery.
It can add up when doing large change-outs. In 9 years of selling 2000 to 3000 batteries per year, I have never collected a core charge. But I have written a whole lot of checks for old batteries!
Marc
Selling batteries itself is just a revenue stream in and of itself. No one is selling batteries for cost out of the goodness of their hearts, not even the manufacturers.
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/battery/faq.php
https://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/l489.pdf
The $1.00 California battery fee will increase to $2.00 on April 1, 2022
Somehow you feel that a $2.00 fee paid up front and is non-refundable later, will keep batteries off the side of the road out of landfills? Really? Please so tell me how that is the same thing.
Selling batteries is indeed an income stream. That is the point of having the business. Is there a point to your comment, or did you miss the whole point about core charges?
My problem is that I take this place seriously and I tend to forget that some people see it as their playground. You just love to argue and have posted to yourself under both (3?) screen names.
I will endeavor to stay clear of you.
Currently, there is a core charge for the valuable lead in lead acid batteries. The cost to reprocess Li batteries is higher than raw materials, which is why there is no core charge for Li. Maybe your state will put a tax on them for you and then you can feel good.
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,