Snowynorth
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2022
- Messages
- 177
Hi all. I've been here reading various topics for quite some time before signing up. We are building off grid. I am leaning towards lead carbon due to the sometimes extremely cold winter weather here, and the location of my upcoming battery bank. The components and batteries will go into a well insulated 10x10 shed, with a small direct vent propane wall heater. The shed has wiring already trenched to our panel location, and to the cabin. The propane is roughed in from our tank to feed the wall heater and a future propane back up generator. I have a gas inverter gen for now. In case the wall heater fails at some time when we aren't there, which will be most of the winter, lead carbon seems to be the best, for both decent cycle life and ability to sit dormant in the cold for a couple weeks or more without power impute or draw.
Cycles, from 1800 to over 3000 @ 50% dod? (that seems to be a big variation). A few other specs seem to have some large variations. Are some of the suppliers over stating, or being conservative? I'm trying to do some math and come up with the best bang for my bucks.
2 volt narada or sacred sun would be great, but I'm starting with a smaller bank for a few years. 12v, for a 48v system due to part time use, and finances.
Here is a small sample of cycle claims. Most claim discharge as low as-40 c or f. In our area I'm not concerned about any of the high ambient temp ratings I've read.
Sol-ark carbon agm- 3000 cycles @ 50% DOD, max charge 140a 100a recommended, Charge temp -10f -23c 7+ years off grid
Northstar Blue- 2050 cycles @ 50% DOD, max charge current "no limit" ?? nothing on charge temp, just "operating temp" of -40
Northstar claims lower cycles than sol-ark, but 15+ year design life vs sol-ark 7+ years off grid 12 years on grid.
Sol-ark and Northstar sure do look at lot alike, other then color. I think the 210 vs 230 ah rating might explain the slight weight difference.
Enersys makes Northstar, and I'm guessing sol-ark
Canbat 2500+ cycles @ 50% DOD, Max charge 63amps, charge temp 0c 32f
Switch energy- 2800 cycles @50% dod, max charge, 40a, charge temp -20c -4 f
Any experience with lead carbon would be appreciated.
Cycles, from 1800 to over 3000 @ 50% dod? (that seems to be a big variation). A few other specs seem to have some large variations. Are some of the suppliers over stating, or being conservative? I'm trying to do some math and come up with the best bang for my bucks.
2 volt narada or sacred sun would be great, but I'm starting with a smaller bank for a few years. 12v, for a 48v system due to part time use, and finances.
Here is a small sample of cycle claims. Most claim discharge as low as-40 c or f. In our area I'm not concerned about any of the high ambient temp ratings I've read.
Sol-ark carbon agm- 3000 cycles @ 50% DOD, max charge 140a 100a recommended, Charge temp -10f -23c 7+ years off grid
Northstar Blue- 2050 cycles @ 50% DOD, max charge current "no limit" ?? nothing on charge temp, just "operating temp" of -40
Northstar claims lower cycles than sol-ark, but 15+ year design life vs sol-ark 7+ years off grid 12 years on grid.
Sol-ark and Northstar sure do look at lot alike, other then color. I think the 210 vs 230 ah rating might explain the slight weight difference.
Enersys makes Northstar, and I'm guessing sol-ark
Canbat 2500+ cycles @ 50% DOD, Max charge 63amps, charge temp 0c 32f
Switch energy- 2800 cycles @50% dod, max charge, 40a, charge temp -20c -4 f
Any experience with lead carbon would be appreciated.
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