Hello, I was wondering if some genius on batteries can tell me how to make them last forever?
I have just installed a new battery bank for a customer of mine and have been reading a lot of the new (new to me?) info on keeping batteries happy. But I keep getting conflicting info.
The first thing I read is life cycle is directly related to DOD, the shorter you cycle them the longer their life.
The next thing I read is that FLA batteries need to be cycled to 50% DOD? Otherwise they will sulfate?
My customer has 24 Rolls S-1660 2V L16 type batteries and 5200 watts of solar on a 24V system. He is running some heavy loads during the day, (three Swamp coolers, one large, two small, a small 110V hot tub, Etc.) but he runs very little at night, (a large frig, small freezer, and a TV.)
What I have been recommending to him it to keep them in the 10% DOD most of the time with a 50% DOD once a month. We have the charge controllers set for a 4 hour absorb time (at 28.8V) and they seem happy with this, The S.G. is right at 1.265 when they change to float.