AGM batteries?
Is it imperative to have AGM batteries with a solar set-up? Why? Could you not just use 2 6v batteries (not AGM's)? Do they last longer? How much and are they really worth the price difference?
Forum Discussion
cewillis wrote:work2much wrote:
My cost per 100Ah battery delivered with bus bars is $ 550. Fo me at least this takes AGM and wet cell batteries out of the game for what I was looking for.
Sounds like good work on your part, and I'm certainly not going to argue the value of lithium batteries -- at some point.
But just for reference, in my case -- 4 x 140AH@12v for less than $1000.
Let's say that's 280AH available for $1000.
That's $3.57/AH. Your's -- $550/100 = $5.5/AH
Unless I'm missing something.
Cost comparison only -- I bet mine weigh a good deal more at 375 lbs.
It was the size and weight that takes them out of the game. Our bank weighs 200 pounds less and stores about 40% more capacity. Going with AGM to 500Ah usable is more weight and space than I would care to haul around.
The batteries are more expensive upfront but over time they will cost less with far more cycles available .
But even more than the benefit of lower overtime cost is how much faster these batteries can be charged. They bulk at a high rate straight to the top. This is huge when traveling in the winter with short days and more cloudy skies.
In addition their ability to run endlessly day after day with any SOC above 20%. You could run for a month while never getting to 100% SOC without degradation. Combined with a large Ah reserve this allows for multiple cloudy days where output exceeds input.
I understand that this system isn't for everyone, especially those who don't camp months at a time in their camper. If we were building this for 2-3 week vacations a couple times a year like we used to do I would throw a couple lifelines in there with a couple panels and be done with it.
