Immediate need for temporary (6mos or so) 12v batteries - Recommendations?

[immortl]

I have an immediate need to replace old, worn out, last only 6ish hour 12V lead acid batteries on the current solar system. The current inverter is an older 12V AIMS 3k (need to sort out which exact model it is). This property is fully off grid (but has high speed fiber!) and with TV usage (more so my significant other) and my work from home laptop/monitor setup, along with internet router and cell extender, the current batteries (10 6v golf cart lead acid from 2017) last me about 5-7 hours. I'm basically running generator for most of every day/evening.

I have most all the parts for the new full on Victron dual Quattro 10k 48v 52 400 watt bifacial panel system but it's going to take me a bit to build the new electrical shed (going ICF for it) and excavate the 3 solar pole mount foundations and trenching, etc...

To bridge the gap, I'm thinking to toss in 2-4 12V LiFePo batteries. Seems the AGM charge profile on the AIMS unit will somewhat align with 12V LiFePo charge voltages. the AIMS states the AGM profiles are 14.1 charge / 13.4 float and 14.6 Charge 13.7 float. Looking for something decent, thinking I can give them to the very nice, very helpful neighbor when I'm done with them as she is starting to look for some new batteries but doens't have a whole lot to spend. After some quick searching, I am considering Eco-Worthy 12V 300AH. Anyone have any thoughts on these or any other suggestions? Looking for something I can order and swap in ASAP.

Figuring I'll probably toss some of my 400W panels up against a fence rail and use one or two of my Victron 250/100 to add to the solar array as well. The current array consists of 6 100w panels tied to assorted fencing. It's 'interesting'.

Thanks!

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Why not get a 48V battery you can use in the future and deploy one of the Quattros to get 120V online?

My 48/5kVA Quattro existing in various forms like this before it got fully deployed:



Ground "mount":



MPPT was eventually replaced with a 150/100 and then a 250/100 sitting on top of the Quattro.

It was eventually placed on top of a box on top of 2" foam board just to get it off the floor. I just wanted power, and I wanted it fast.

 

[rodrick]

Eco-worthy and Dc house I believe is the same manufacturer and seems like good quality for the price I’ve got a dozen of the 100 Ah dc house basic batteries and they all looked good voltage wise upon receipt

 

[immortl]

Why not get a 48V battery you can use in the future and deploy one of the Quattros to get 120V online?

You raise a good point. I actually already have 4 of the Midnite MNPOWERFLO16s on hand as well. I have the gear to toss together a quick 48v system.

In my head (sometimes a good place to be, sometimes not), I am thinking swapping in new 12V batteries is very simple and quick, like an hour or three quick. It's the quickest route, but does cost additional money.

To deploy the Quattro, the Quattro and battery would be in the corner of the living room, not sure about noise level. The current AIMS is pretty much silent. Would also have to deploy the Lynx distribution bars. Might have to extend wiring to the fuse panel a bit as well. Maybe a day or weekend to accomplish overall? Or a few evenings. Things always take longer than I think they will. Alternatively I could put them in the area where the batteries currently are, it's a round top deal covered with a new tarp. Outside temps, still well below freezing some nights, but covered at least.

My current immediate priority list entails -
1. Pick up the new to me tractor this weekend and pallet forks (needed to offload pallets of solar gear, panels, inverts, batteries from the trailer currently parked in the pasture and covered securely with a tarp). Need to get that gear under a roof.
2. Fix up the trailer lights on the trailer I'm borrowing to get the tractor with as a thank you. I think this time it's just a broken light, but last time for the other trailer I borrowed, I ended up rewiring the entire trailer.
3. Pick up the 3 mounts from MT Solar, this will be 2 or 3 round trips, granted they're just down the road about 40 minutes.
4. Do maintenance/fluid/filter changes on 2 mini excavators at brother in law's diesel shop, then move them up to the property. That'll take a weekend just to shuttle them up here from ID.

Seems quicker to toss in new batteries one evening during the week after work. But perhaps I should instead spend a few evenings and deploy a Quattro....

 

[sunshine_eggo]

You raise a good point. I actually already have 4 of the Midnite MNPOWERFLO16s on hand as well. I have the gear to toss together a quick 48v system.

In my head (sometimes a good place to be, sometimes not), I am thinking swapping in new 12V batteries is very simple and quick, like an hour or three quick. It's the quickest route, but does cost additional money.

Fair enough. I'm a big "run whatcha brung" guy...

To deploy the Quattro, the Quattro and battery would be in the corner of the living room, not sure about noise level. The current AIMS is pretty much silent. Would also have to deploy the Lynx distribution bars. Might have to extend wiring to the fuse panel a bit as well. Maybe a day or weekend to accomplish overall? Or a few evenings. Things always take longer than I think they will. Alternatively I could put them in the area where the batteries currently are, it's a round top deal covered with a new tarp. Outside temps, still well below freezing some nights, but covered at least.

Do you need to use all four batteries? 5120Wh of a single 48V is more than the 300Ah 12.8V you're considering.

The Quattro can be noisy when under noteworthy load, but I doubt you'll be pushing it that hard most of the time.

I bet you can get a single battery/Quattro solution up and running in the aforementioned 1-3 hours.

My current immediate priority list entails -
1. Pick up the new to me tractor this weekend and pallet forks (needed to offload pallets of solar gear, panels, inverts, batteries from the trailer currently parked in the pasture and covered securely with a tarp). Need to get that gear under a roof.
2. Fix up the trailer lights on the trailer I'm borrowing to get the tractor with as a thank you. I think this time it's just a broken light, but last time for the other trailer I borrowed, I ended up rewiring the entire trailer.
3. Pick up the 3 mounts from MT Solar, this will be 2 or 3 round trips, granted they're just down the road about 40 minutes.
4. Do maintenance/fluid/filter changes on 2 mini excavators at brother in law's diesel shop, then move them up to the property. That'll take a weekend just to shuttle them up here from ID.

Seems quicker to toss in new batteries one evening during the week after work. But perhaps I should instead spend a few evenings and deploy a Quattro....

DOes your list ever actually get shorter?

Feels like mine doesn't.

 

[immortl]

Do you need to use all four batteries? 5120Wh of a single 48V is more than the 300Ah 12.8V you're considering.

No, a single one would suffice for now. I see your point, wouldn't need the Lynx bars, battery can go directly to Quattro as could generator. This is why I like talking to others and talking to myself out loud, despite the uncomfortable glances from others.

The Quattro can be noisy when under noteworthy load, but I doubt you'll be pushing it that hard most of the time.

OK, good to know noise corresponds with load. My load is very light currently.

DOes your list ever actually get shorter?

Feels like mine doesn't.

Oh hell no, never. It does vary from boring to interesting though. Let's see, a small additional fraction of the list, not in any particular order....

1. Move 22k pound 40' cargo trailer from in town up to the property (arrived here with it when road up here was still snow and ice covered, so dropped it at friend's place in town)
2. Unload and sort cargo trailer and repack it, pulling out tools and such that I need/want accessible
3. Install water level sensor in cistern 500' up the hill side. Why would someone not have a way to check their water level? That offends my OCD tendencies.
4. Finish stacking wood delivered this winter into the 'wood shed' - significant other is actually working on this at the moment
5. Build new wood shed
6. Build new 2 story electrical shed using ICF - something tells me this is going to take more than a month
7. Gas dryer was delivered today, run/have gas company run propane line for it. Take out unused door where it will go and finish opening off as a wall and put in dryer vent
8. Extract washer from cargo trailer and bring it into the house
9. Drive across the country and pick up 40' fifth wheel
10. Stop along way back with fifth wheel and have Morryde suspension installed. Doubt I'm going to make that appointment in April, need to reschedule it.
11. Drive across country again and pick up the 28' cargo trailer and bring it back to MT
12. Buy new mattress for house
13. Do more IT work for diesel mechanic to lower actual cash purchase price of tractor I'm picking up this weekend
14. Track down house wiring and figure out why outlets in half the house do not work. Got some new tools for Christmas to help trace the wiring.

I'll stop here but there is a lot more.

 

[cs1234]

@immortl

I'm tired just looking at your list.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

No, a single one would suffice for now. I see your point, wouldn't need the Lynx bars, battery can go directly to Quattro as could generator. This is why I like talking to others and talking to myself out loud, despite the uncomfortable glances from others.

I'm yer huckleberry. I'm lazy. I hate putting in more effort than is absolutely necessary to gain needed function as I can always fix it later. Nothing more permanent than a temporary solution! It took me nearly 4 years to install the second half of my 6kW array, and I just did that last week.

OK, good to know noise corresponds with load. My load is very light currently.

I rarely hear my Quattros spool the fans up unless it's hot in the shipping container, and I'm running an RV A/C.

Oh hell no, never. It does vary from boring to interesting though.

Let's see, a small additional fraction of the list, not in any particular order....

1. Move 22k pound 40' cargo trailer from in town up to the property (arrived here with it when road up here was still snow and ice covered, so dropped it at friend's place in town)
2. Unload and sort cargo trailer and repack it, pulling out tools and such that I need/want accessible
3. Install water level sensor in cistern 500' up the hill side. Why would someone not have a way to check their water level? That offends my OCD tendencies.
4. Finish stacking wood delivered this winter into the 'wood shed' - significant other is actually working on this at the moment
5. Build new wood shed
6. Build new 2 story electrical shed using ICF - something tells me this is going to take more than a month
7. Gas dryer was delivered today, run/have gas company run propane line for it. Take out unused door where it will go and finish opening off as a wall and put in dryer vent
8. Extract washer from cargo trailer and bring it into the house
9. Drive across the country and pick up 40' fifth wheel
10. Stop along way back with fifth wheel and have Morryde suspension installed. Doubt I'm going to make that appointment in April, need to reschedule it.
11. Drive across country again and pick up the 28' cargo trailer and bring it back to MT
12. Buy new mattress for house
13. Do more IT work for diesel mechanic to lower actual cash purchase price of tractor I'm picking up this weekend
14. Track down house wiring and figure out why outlets in half the house do not work. Got some new tools for Christmas to help trace the wiring.

I'll stop here but there is a lot more.

I don't even have the stones to put everything in a list. I'd just go cross-eyed and want to take a nap.

 

[sunsurfer]

AIMS LF inverters are a pig for idle draw and are not very efficient, especially for light loads over night. They can surge mega loads but they will suck your batteries dry just sitting there doing nothing.

I have a 24v AIMS and it pulls 92 watts at idle. Thats about 1.3kwh of battery power just to be on for a 14 hour over night. I only turn it on to run the electric chain saw, air compressor or chop saw....etc..

 

[sunshine_eggo]

AIMS LF inverters are a pig for idle draw and are not very efficient, especially for light loads over night. They can surge mega loads but they will suck your batteries dry just sitting there doing nothing.

I have a 24v AIMS and it pulls 92 watts at idle. Thats about 1.3kwh of battery power just to be on for a 14 hour over night. I only turn it on to run the electric chain saw, air compressor or chop saw....etc..

Truly. Neighbor as the Sigineer 24V/6000W 120/240V. I think it was closer to 110W. Good news is it is only turned on when the well pump is needed. Back when he had a 3hp motor that ran at 4kW sustained, it barely registered the surge. BEAST of an inverter.

 

[immortl]

I'm tired just looking at your list.

I'm still in the excited mode, it's daunting but I'm happy whenever I get time to work on stuff. Another fun item is to build a shooting bench and use dirt from the excavation to put up a back stop. I have always wanted to be be able to shoot in my yard since I was a little kid.

I'm yer huckleberry.

I don't even have the stones to put everything in a list. I'd just go cross-eyed and want to take a nap.

My most favorite movie ever. Shall we call you Doc?

The only lists I actually ever make are shopping lists. I don't care to have to run back out again or wait a week for shipping because I forgot something. I rarely remember everything in my head, something always drops off.

I have a 24v AIMS and it pulls 92 watts at idle. Thats about 1.3kwh of battery power just to be on for a 14 hour over night. I only turn it on to run the electric chain saw, air compressor or chop saw....etc..

I have woken up in the middle of the night a few times now to the low battery voltage alarm.

Pallet forks were delivered to the diesel shop this morning. Heading over to pick up the tractor this weekend and weather permitting, I should be able to unload the trailer of gear. Thinking I'll take a stab at tossing some of the gear together next week and into the following weekend...

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I'm still in the excited mode, it's daunting but I'm happy whenever I get time to work on stuff. Another fun item is to build a shooting bench and use dirt from the excavation to put up a back stop. I have always wanted to be be able to shoot in my yard since I was a little kid.

My land has natural terrain for a decent range. I have gongs setup at 20 and 50 yards. It's luscious.

My most favorite movie ever. Shall we call you Doc?

 

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

My land has natural terrain for a decent range. I have gongs setup at 20 and 50 yards. It's luscious.

Super jealous. Some day I'm gonna buy that 100 acres in the woods I keep telling people about...

 

[rodrick]

My land has natural terrain for a decent range. I have gongs setup at 20 and 50 yards. It's luscious.

So you only shoot pistols?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

So you only shoot pistols?

You cut me deep bro...

 

[ksmithaz1]

So you only shoot pistols?

Carbine is fun too.

 

[seneysolar]

I have an immediate need to replace old, worn out, last only 6ish hour 12V lead acid batteries on the current solar system. The current inverter is an older 12V AIMS 3k (need to sort out which exact model it is).

Aims has both LF and HF versions. If it has a built in charger, its the LF. Overall a good inverter. Idle consumption should be around 55w.

This property is fully off grid (but has high speed fiber!) and with TV usage (more so my significant other) and my work from home laptop/monitor setup, along with internet router and cell extender, the current batteries (10 6v golf cart lead acid from 2017) last me about 5-7 hours. I'm basically running generator for most of every day/evening.

8 years on golf cart batteries is a stretch! Definitely time to replace.

To bridge the gap, I'm thinking to toss in 2-4 12V LiFePo batteries. Seems the AGM charge profile on the AIMS unit will somewhat align with 12V LiFePo charge voltages. the AIMS states the AGM profiles are 14.1 charge / 13.4 float and 14.6 Charge 13.7 float.

Does your inverter have a Calcium battery option? That is just 14.4v for both bulk/absorb/float.

Looking for something decent, thinking I can give them to the very nice, very helpful neighbor when I'm done with them as she is starting to look for some new batteries but doens't have a whole lot to spend. After some quick searching, I am considering Eco-Worthy 12V 300AH. Anyone have any thoughts on these or any other suggestions? Looking for something I can order and swap in ASAP.

I was just looking at the Vatrer 280ah in the metal case for $399, seemed like a decent option.