Hi All,
Years ago, I assembled a system with 3500 watts of PV, a Magnum Inverter, Midnight Classic charge controllers and 24 volt battery pack. The battery pack is comprised of 12 Rolls S550, 6-volt batteries in a 4S3P config (I think). Each battery is rated at 554 amp @100 hr rating. So, if my math is correct, this pack should supply 24 volt @1650A or 39.6 KW.
This system has been running around 7 years flawlessly but I'm concerned with the future life span of the batteries. Replacement cost of the battery pack today would be around $4800 with the upgraded replacement for the S550. I've been looking at various battery technologies, but it does not appear that that I can get anywhere near that capacity in better battery chemistry for the same money. Am I missing something? I sure would like the lower maintenance and deeper discharge rate of LiFePo if that were a viable option. Or perhaps another battery chemistry?
Any observations, thoughts and ideas would be appreciated......
Years ago, I assembled a system with 3500 watts of PV, a Magnum Inverter, Midnight Classic charge controllers and 24 volt battery pack. The battery pack is comprised of 12 Rolls S550, 6-volt batteries in a 4S3P config (I think). Each battery is rated at 554 amp @100 hr rating. So, if my math is correct, this pack should supply 24 volt @1650A or 39.6 KW.
This system has been running around 7 years flawlessly but I'm concerned with the future life span of the batteries. Replacement cost of the battery pack today would be around $4800 with the upgraded replacement for the S550. I've been looking at various battery technologies, but it does not appear that that I can get anywhere near that capacity in better battery chemistry for the same money. Am I missing something? I sure would like the lower maintenance and deeper discharge rate of LiFePo if that were a viable option. Or perhaps another battery chemistry?
Any observations, thoughts and ideas would be appreciated......