Time to retire the Fullriver AGMs?

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Mfd in 2015. Put in service 2017. Resistance is in the 6.5 to 7.5 range - far too high.

Temp of the bank is 39F though. That lowers strength quite a bit. Unsure about impact on resistance.

I think newer my bank of golf cart batteries is supplying the majority of battery power. 

The Fullrivers were awesome while they lasted. Bit heavy ar ~171 pounds. More weight than I want to carry after a prolonged illness. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,191 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    softdown said:
    Mfd in 2015. Put in service 2017. Resistance is in the 6.5 to 7.5 range - far too high.

    Temp of the bank is 39F though. That lowers strength quite a bit. Unsure about impact on resistance.

    I think newer my bank of golf cart batteries is supplying the majority of battery power. 

    The Fullrivers were awesome while they lasted. Bit heavy ar ~171 pounds.

    More weight than I want to carry after a prolonged illness. 

    Are you OK now?
    Marc
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • BryceFreeman
    BryceFreeman Registered Users Posts: 27 ✭✭
    #3
    To replace it with a lighter one may be better for you as 171 pounds are too heavy.
    Read blogs to know more about solar power...
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  • Saggys
    Saggys Solar Expert Posts: 189 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Are you considering lithium chemistry for your replacement?
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Marc Kurth said:
    softdown said:
    Mfd in 2015. Put in service 2017. Resistance is in the 6.5 to 7.5 range - far too high.

    Temp of the bank is 39F though. That lowers strength quite a bit. Unsure about impact on resistance.

    I think newer my bank of golf cart batteries is supplying the majority of battery power. 

    The Fullrivers were awesome while they lasted. Bit heavy ar ~171 pounds.

    More weight than I want to carry after a prolonged illness. 

    Are you OK now?
    Marc
    Little better every week
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Yes. Bought a couple 24 volt lithiums at the start of covid. I over reacted. They convinced me it may well be the end of times as we know it. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Saggys
    Saggys Solar Expert Posts: 189 ✭✭✭
    #7
    Let us know what you think of the lithium chemistry, as I will probably be going in that direction also hopefully later than sooner.$$$$$
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,172 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Saggys said:
    Let us know what you think of the lithium chemistry, as I will probably be going in that direction also hopefully later than sooner.$$$$$
    You can build a LiFePo4 battery from scratch for less than the cost of new AGM or even FLA

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Saggys said:
    Let us know what you think of the lithium chemistry, as I will probably be going in that direction also hopefully later than sooner.$$$$$
    Makes likely sense if you plan to stay there long enough to justify it.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,191 ✭✭✭✭
    #10
    softdown said:
    Saggys said:
    Let us know what you think of the lithium chemistry, as I will probably be going in that direction also hopefully later than sooner.$$$$$
    Makes likely sense if you plan to stay there long enough to justify it.

    I sell AGM batteries for a living but I often recommend lithium to customers who cannot reach full charge plus some float time often enough. Sulfation rears its ugly head with lead-acid cells. As PV prices have come down over the years I have seen AGM battery banks last longer and longer because folks are buying more PV capacity. 
    The "typical" systems that I have seen over the years had a 5-6 year battery life and 10+ years with lots of PV.  Lithium should put longer battery bank life easily within reach without over-paneling.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Saggys
    Saggys Solar Expert Posts: 189 ✭✭✭
    #11
    I am waiting for my NIFE cells to let me down, so far, so good. Sulfation does not seem to be a problem, only carbonation.

    I hope to start changing the electrolyte on my 13 year old cells one at a time as I rotate a spare in, that will be the real test to see if they recover from the electrolyte change.
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