The Battery Thread (Solar / Inverter)

RedViking

RedViking

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Seeing that there is a lot of discussion and questions around batteries for inverter and solar setups, I thought a dedicated thread is a good idea. This will help to keep the inverters threads focused on the inverters and finding information, prices, stock and general discussion and suggestion for batteries easier.

If you have inverter specific questions, please check out the other threads.

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Great timing for this thread!

My Deltec Lead-Crystal batteries (100Ah) are finally starting to give up after 5 years.

Typically this system runs 2 computers, DSTV, AVR, TV, coffee machine, garage door, a few lights, etc. If we're still sleeping, the aircon runs on that too.

Performance has been excellent until December, when I asked the electrician to put the coffee machine on the inverter circuit, and they also mistakenly put the whole kitchen circuit on it, including the fridge and wine fridge. Since then the inverter shows a 'Low Voltage' error barely 1 hour into load-shedding.

He's coming back to remove the fridges from the inverter circuit, but I think the damage is done already.

I would like to replace with the same, but Deltec doesn't import these any more.

I'm getting differing recommendations from retailers: 1 local company recommends either Victron AGM, or a Lead Calcium option; Deltec also recommend their own AGM; and one online store recommends the Discover EV Traction Dry cell.

Interested to see what you would recommend?
 
Naks said:
Great timing for this thread!

My Deltec Lead-Crystal batteries (100Ah) are finally starting to give up after 5 years.

Typically this system runs 2 computers, DSTV, AVR, TV, coffee machine, garage door, a few lights, etc. If we're still sleeping, the aircon runs on that too.

Performance has been excellent until December, when I asked the electrician to put the coffee machine on the inverter circuit, and they also mistakenly put the whole kitchen circuit on it, including the fridge and wine fridge. Since then the inverter shows a 'Low Voltage' error barely 1 hour into load-shedding.

He's coming back to remove the fridges from the inverter circuit, but I think the damage is done already.

I would like to replace with the same, but Deltec doesn't import these any more.

I'm getting differing recommendations from retailers: 1 local company recommends either Victron AGM, or a Lead Calcium option; Deltec also recommend their own AGM; and one online store recommends the Discover EV Traction Dry cell.

Interested to see what you would recommend?
Click to expand...

My girlfriend bought four OmniPower 12V 120Ah OPR Deep Cycle Rechargeable AGM / GEL Hybrid VRLA batteries for our home inverter/UPS setup but we only had them installed a few weeks back so I can't comment on their performance just yet. Had it been me making the purchase and I was looking at Gel or AGM type batteries I would look at the Enertec or Discover options as a good friend is one of the owners of Enertec.
 
Naks said:
Great timing for this thread!

My Deltec Lead-Crystal batteries (100Ah) are finally starting to give up after 5 years.

Typically this system runs 2 computers, DSTV, AVR, TV, coffee machine, garage door, a few lights, etc. If we're still sleeping, the aircon runs on that too.

Performance has been excellent until December, when I asked the electrician to put the coffee machine on the inverter circuit, and they also mistakenly put the whole kitchen circuit on it, including the fridge and wine fridge. Since then the inverter shows a 'Low Voltage' error barely 1 hour into load-shedding.

He's coming back to remove the fridges from the inverter circuit, but I think the damage is done already.

I would like to replace with the same, but Deltec doesn't import these any more.

I'm getting differing recommendations from retailers: 1 local company recommends either Victron AGM, or a Lead Calcium option; Deltec also recommend their own AGM; and one online store recommends the Discover EV Traction Dry cell.

Interested to see what you would recommend?
Click to expand...
Personally I like the Discover range, but honestly AGM is AGM. You will probably get the same kind of mileage out of all the quality brands. The other option is to go the SMF range, like the Enertec pictured above. They probably wont last as long but they cost less, so you will get similar value out of them.
 
Mars said:
Personally I like the Discover range, but honestly AGM is AGM. You will probably get the same kind of mileage out of all the quality brands. The other option is to go the SMF range, like the Enertec pictured above. They probably wont last as long but they cost less, so you will get similar value out of them.
Click to expand...

I have heard that AGM is not always AGM and some companies like to embellish their rated specifications but I have no first hand experience.
 
It term of pricing and brand perception Omnipower is up there, wish I could get my hands on two 240ah, I would be unstoppable.
 
Neuk_ said:
I have heard that AGM is not always AGM and some companies like to embellish their rated specifications but I have no first hand experience.
Click to expand...
AGM should always be AGM, it is the quality that would differ, just like in flooded LA, unless someone is brave enough to put an AGM label on a non AGM battery.
 
thechamp said:
AGM should always be AGM, it is the quality that would differ, just like in flooded LA, unless someone is brave enough to put an AGM label on a non AGM battery.
Click to expand...

As an example, the batteries that my girlfriend bought, are they gel or AGM? As I understand it, gel is not AGM and vice versa but the Omnipowers we have are labelled as both.
 
thechamp said:
AGM should always be AGM, it is the quality that would differ, just like in flooded LA, unless someone is brave enough to put an AGM label on a non AGM battery.
Click to expand...
I have seen some batteries from china with every technology possible listed on the label. We even cut one open once and the plates where half the size they where supposed to be. People have imported some dodgy **** over the years and put even dodgier labels on them.

Thats why I say Quality brands: Raylite, Exide, Enertec, Energizer, Deltec, Varta, Probe.
 
Neuk_ said:
As an example, the batteries that my girlfriend bought, are they gel or AGM? As I understand it, gel is not AGM and vice versa but the Omnipowers we have are labelled as both.
Click to expand...
People mix the two because in the AGM the electrolyte is held in place by the matting, whereas with gel they may use something else to hold the electrolyte. They may also use AGM tho. Gel talks to the electrolyte and AGM is the construction of the battery. They are not automatically the same thing, tho a battery may be both.
Usually tho, if a battery has gel its called a gel battery, not an AGM.

There are some trade-offs tho, Gel does not have the power delivery of an AGM, but tends to cycle better.
 
Mars said:
People mix the two because in the AGM the electrolyte is held in place by the matting, whereas with gel they may use something else to hold the electrolyte. They may also use AGM tho. Gel talks to the electrolyte and AGM is the construction of the battery. They are not automatically the same thing, tho a battery may be both.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
Neuk_ said:
As an example, the batteries that my girlfriend bought, are they gel or AGM? As I understand it, gel is not AGM and vice versa but the Omnipowers we have are labelled as both.
Click to expand...
It is apparently some Gel and AGM hybrid, using technologies from both to build the mother of all lead acid batteries.

Here's the data sheet.
 

Attachments

Naks said:
Great timing for this thread!

My Deltec Lead-Crystal batteries (100Ah) are finally starting to give up after 5 years.

Typically this system runs 2 computers, DSTV, AVR, TV, coffee machine, garage door, a few lights, etc. If we're still sleeping, the aircon runs on that too.

Performance has been excellent until December, when I asked the electrician to put the coffee machine on the inverter circuit, and they also mistakenly put the whole kitchen circuit on it, including the fridge and wine fridge. Since then the inverter shows a 'Low Voltage' error barely 1 hour into load-shedding.

He's coming back to remove the fridges from the inverter circuit, but I think the damage is done already.

I would like to replace with the same, but Deltec doesn't import these any more.

I'm getting differing recommendations from retailers: 1 local company recommends either Victron AGM, or a Lead Calcium option; Deltec also recommend their own AGM; and one online store recommends the Discover EV Traction Dry cell.

Interested to see what you would recommend?
Click to expand...
that is very strange that Deltec is not importing these anymore, we bought smaller ones from them just the other day.
Otherwise try Zeke over at Sustainable.co.za
very clued up man

[email protected]
 
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