wa8yxm wrote:
Thought 10% of the Capacity (C/20 rating) is recommended for best life.. That means a lot of generator time if you are boondocking on a dark day.. It would be my recommendation for your SOLAR though.. and do not forget the loads as well (Add a bit more for them)
I think 10% is a recommended DOD. If you discharge them deeper, you'll get fewer cycles over its lifetime.
Optimal charging current is (usually) 30% of C/20, or 67A for a pair of GC. This is more an "optimal maximum" than an optimum. In other words, you should not exceed 67A for a better lifespan. But people routinely exceed it, and their GC still live long, because there are many other factors affecting the lifespan. OTH, there is nothing wrong with charging at less than 30%C20 as long as you can bring it to Absorption voltage and then to 95-98% SOC.
With my particular bank and solar, and my pattern of use, batteries are cycling daily 70-100 SOC, they probably wouldn't accept 30%C20 even if solar would deliver.
