Battery Recommendations for solar installation

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Shellyb1

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Current running the following system but after 3 years, my batteries have packed up and don't provide provide enough Voltage to keep the inverters going.

Any recommendations for replacement batteries that have low maintenance or cost effective (not easy to get these two requirements in one battery but looking for options).

12x 300w solar panels
2x Axpert Inverters (5kva each)
16x 6v Trojan T105 batteries totalling 48v (installer confirmed that these are dead and need to be replaced).

Depending on price, I want to either be off grid or run for Max 6 hours on battery during a loadshed.

Any guidance or recommendations?

TIA
 
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Yeah I am no expert on batteries here but it sounds like those Trojans are taking a beating.
That's like only 420 amps at 12volt which isn't really that much considering you running a house off it.
Rather over spec than under spec on batteries, they will last much longer.

I use lead crystal batteries and very happy with them, however I have not used other technology batteries so therefore cannot give a 100% answer as to what is best for your setup.

One thing I know for sure is Lithium is the answer, if you ever win the lottery.
https://www.sustainable.co.za/bluen...c-lithium-iron-yttrium-phosphate-battery.html

Would love to see what others say here :)
 
They are set to 80% DOD which only reach 70% by 6 am in the morning before the sun comes up
 
ProAsm said:
You have 2 x 5Kva Inverters with 8 x 6 Volt 105 Ah batteries ?
That means you are powering 10 KVA with 105 AH battery pack.
You'll be lucky if you get 1 hour.
Your panels are pumping 96 amps into 105 AH battery pack... wow!
No wonder your batteries have packed up, you have cooked them!
Click to expand...

Oops....sorry. my mistake. I have 16x the Trojan T105 Battery. 8 per inverter.

I have edited my original post to clear that up.

IMG_8747.JPG
 
Shellyb1 said:
Oops....sorry. my mistake. I have 16x the Trojan T105 Battery. 8 per inverter.

I have edited my original post to clear that up.

View attachment 591360
Click to expand...
Low amperage Lugs, I hate lugs. And there is oxidation happening there, those batteries all need to be disconnected, clean the contacts. Why after 3 years is there colour changes on the maroon part of your battery there?

I'm no expert but this pic doesn't look lekker
 
Chuckmyster said:
Low amperage Lugs, I hate lugs. And there is oxidation happening there, those batteries all need to be disconnected, clean the contacts. Why after 3 years is there colour changes on the maroon part of your battery there?

I'm no expert but this pic doesn't look lekker
Click to expand...

Want to get done advice on replacement batteries first. Then get an installer (different to what I used for this installation) to come and do a review of the installation and then install new batteries. Experiences like I have had with with last installer make me distrust advice given by installers and would ideally prefer the somewhat unbiased advice from the experts here in mybb.

The red isn't discoloring, it's dust on some of the battery.

I am no expert but would topping up the battery fluid and cleaning contacts make a difference or are they likely to be dead dead?
 
You can try having the batteries boosted or recycled as that sometimes brings them back to life depending on how dead they are.
I also made the mistake of getting low amperage lug batteries, looked easy but you pay in the long run and have to clean them at least once a year.
A choice of battery you going to have to make.
So far I've only experienced Silver Calcium and Gel batteries and when the time comes to replace my batteries I will get plain good old Sealed Lead Acid.
Any cheap battery charger works on them, the solar controller understands them and does not have to use it's 'intellegence' to figure out the charge and float rate, and they are the cheapest battery around.
Problem is even if you look after them, they need replacing every 3 to 5 years.
 
B@rrels said:
I have 4 Pylontech Lithium Ion Phosphate 2.4kw batteries connected to a Goodwe 5kw inverter.On a sunny day they charge 100% in 5 hours.4.8kw solar panel array
Click to expand...
I take it you are off the grid ?
Nice system you have ;)
 
10KW of Lithium 48v with BMS from Herolds.co.za for 55k with vat.
Thats what I would recommend.



However, I'd rather hear more about your usage / requirements, as that's more important than a rough guess based on your current b0rked setup.
 
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