Not all batteries are
created equally!!
Batteries are the core if not
the heart of your system, the fuel tank, be sure to start with the right stuff! Batteries,
next to generators are the component that are most often
skimped on, but can make or break your system. Deep-cycle batteries are like any
other batteries - the less they work, the longer they will last. Therefore a
bigger bank not only gives you a larger reservoir, but also offers longer
battery life. Batteries are purpose constructed.
Constructed differently for specific applications and therefore perform best for the application
for which they are designed. Put to an application for which they are not
designed they will do poorly in one way or another.
Quality is a decisive
factor in performance. Fresh batteries in good condition offer all of their rated
runtime and recharge fully after use. Improper battery types, batteries with
inappropriate ratings and aging batteries, which have been discharged and
recharged many times, accept less of a recharge over time which results in
shorter runtime. Severely degraded batteries and ones with manufacturing defects
may fail prematurely or even explode.
Initial vs. Lifetime Cost
Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Sears and others sell "deep cycle" marine battery for
as low as $60 which may seem
like a good deal for off-grid. After all, they are deep cycle batteries... However, the
use to which you will put these batteries may kill these batteries within
two years or so. The cheapest alternative is an industrial
application where they are put to a long discharge cycle and recharged daily. A golf
cart
battery if you are starting off on your own and expect to make mistakes and
think you might damage or destroy your first batteries start with these. What's
different? Typical deep cycle batteries are a compromise to provide
cranking amps and deeper cycles. Off-grid specific batteries have less but
thicker heavier plates and different composition. Allow us to recommend
quality batteries built to last many years. We deal with a number of
manufactures and will find the most appropriate battery for you at your location
and application and budget.
Adding Batteries
If you intend to purchase what you can afford now and add more batteries later,
please reconsider. Mixing old and new batteries is never a good idea. Batteries age
over time, when tied together in a single battery bank the batteries act as and are
treated as a single battery resource. The limit of this resource is the
oldest, weakest battery within the array. Batteries within a battery bank should
all be identical. At minimum the batteries should be of the same
manufacturer, construction and rating. If your system is set up and configured to work with
several battery banks a new battery bank can be set up with different batteries.
East Penn Crown
Surrette GNB Trojan
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