Off Grid Battery Question

[solarIdiot]

Hello,
I have been doing research on the Internet and this forum. Solar or any electrical is not in my background.
However based on my research I found a battery bank size that I like.
24) L16 batteries wired for 48V giving me 31kwh usable power?
Due to my location this many batteries may not work.
Is there a "pre built" type bank I can basically just plug in.
Possibly a commercial product?
Thanks for any replies!

[solarside]

I think you are talking super expensive and sometimes you want to replace just one battery that had problems. Most of the cheaper batteries are 5 year lifetime so consider that too.

[Sunking]

Most of the cheaper batteries are 5 year lifetime so consider that too.

Get real. 5 years batteries are high end. Inexpensive are 2 to 3 years.

[Sunking]

However based on my research I found a battery bank size that I like.
24) L16 batteries wired for 48V giving me 31kwh usable power?

Only you can answer that question. There are 3 criteria you have failed to provide for anyone to answer.

1. L16 is a BCI physical dimension size made to fit in Floor Scrubbing machines.
2. L-16 come in basically two voltages of 6 and 2 volts.
3. How many watt hour in a day do you need?

The 6 volt flavor has a capacity range of 320 to 380 Amp Hours (1920 wh to 2280 wh) .
The 2 volt Flavor has a capacity of around 1100 amp hours (2200 watt hours)

First thing that should get your attention is regardless of flavor have basically 2000 watt hours of capacity. Of that 2000 watt hours 500 is what they can realistically provide in a 24 hour period.

Ok you said you have 24 L16's which means you have roughly 48 Kwh of reserve capacity. Of that 48 Kwh roughly 9600 watt hours is the dieigned daily limit of power usage.

No one can tell you if that is enough or not. Only you can answer that with a energy audit of daily power.

[solarIdiot]

Thank you for the replies.
I have heard that usually when one battery goes bad in the bank they should all be replaced.
I do not have these batteries yet and this bank would I think meet my needs based on my research
So after reading sunkings replie I'm still learning I will go with the 2v and and use 28 at 48v
The floor scrubber scared me though I know I didn't provide much information on the batteries
These I think we're made for renewable energy what ever that if it helps I will be traveling for business for about a month so I am in no rush my plan is to have this ready for me to start shipping late may
Also thank you sunking for taking the time to explain somethings to me I see you have a huge post count and have been reading lots of these.

[Waranle]

Get real. 5 years batteries are high end. Inexpensive are 2 to 3 years.

Agree to that, inexpensive or cheap batteries last maximum for 3 years.

[Mike90250]

I'd caution you to not buy anything, till you have reviewed your loads, charging capacity, and then look at batteries. Often, we'll suggest getting a cheap set of batteries to learn on, and to plan on them failing in a year or two. After you learn your mistakes, then spent the money for the right set of more expensive batteries.

[solarIdiot]

Mike I agree with this idea. From what I have seen on here perhaps starting with a smaller set up first will be good.
I have a dock with attached boat house that may be nice to use the roof however is not north facing so I am thinking of using more solar modules than I need.
The pice of modules is much better compared to the batteries.
Deciding on a good brand is proving difficult. I see these nice modules by sharp and others but I see in the warranties I will not get this because I plan to instal myself.
For this smaller unit I will be powering lights, a communications unit, and really that would be it. I would use a generator for power tools.
Also I was thinking it would be nice tocharge the boat batteries but maybe I could use 500w of solar on the boat itself.

Mike I see you live off the grid. Have you been doing so long? U have many posts so it is hard to see.
Is this idea of mine crazy.
Solar seems like the way to go if the only thing I would worry about is changing that battery banks every five to six years.

[Mike90250]

....... Solar seems like the way to go if the only thing I would worry about is changing that battery banks every five to six years.

Well, there is the maintenance: washing the panels off in the non-rainy season, checking battery levels and adding distilled, keeping bugs out of the gear, keeping 1 or 2 backup generators ready to go.
Some folks like Forklift Battery Packs, either new or re-conditioned, but they are big and heavy, and you need .... a forklift to move them!

My off-grid setup has been in operation for 3 years, and I've been living here for about 6 months now. The NiFe batteries I use, have been OK, but they consume a lot of distilled water.

[russ]

The NiFe batteries I use, have been OK, but they consume a lot of distilled water.

So you went from building satellites to farming water - to feed your batteries?

[inetdog]

The NiFe batteries I use, have been OK, but they consume a lot of distilled water.

Just collect all of the H₂ from the vents and burn it to produce nice pure water.

[solarIdiot]

Thanks Mike. I didn't notice you list all your gear in your sig
I am looking at much the same gear.
Matanace seems like the key to keeping batteries going
I am Planing to get all the battery monitoring gear I can to help me with this
I am also planing to use ground mount I have spoken with dpw and they seemed nice just a really long lead time. I am now wanting to keep my roof clear for possible solar hot water
That looks to be another beast though and will need to be research more
This forum has made my planing very much easier I didn't think of the critters
We have plenty of those

Ps how much is a lot of distilled water. How much would you say you use a month?
Thank you for your time

[Mike90250]

each of my 42 batteries (1.2V NiFe) consumes about 1 quart each month. The Full and Add marks are about 2 quarts (1/2 gallon) apart. NiFe batteries electrolyze a lot, much more than lead acid batteries, and here (northern california) distilled water at the grocery store, is about $1 gallon.

[solarIdiot]

each of my 42 batteries (1.2V NiFe) consumes about 1 quart each month. The Full and Add marks are about 2 quarts (1/2 gallon) apart. NiFe batteries electrolyze a lot, much more than lead acid batteries, and here (northern california) distilled water at the grocery store, is about $1 gallon.

Thank you for the reply Mike. That doesn't seem too bad. I'll look into these NiFe batteries!

[solarIdiot]

Just collect all of the H₂ from the vents and burn it to produce nice pure water.

This has me stumped. A joke?