Are these usefull for R.E. ?

[ffoegw]

I can get a bunch of these cheap.

Are they any good for a renewable energy solution?

http://www.smarthome.com/7473.html

Geoff

[Slingshot]

There seem to be a number of reselling techs offering these in the $2 range (used) at sidewalk sales.  I think these guys have a contract to maintain emergency lights (like the "white boxes" you see mounted on the wall in hospitals) and these are the replacements.  This can be a good deal if they were maintained properly (float charged for duration).  Take a voltmeter and check voltage on any you buy, and be sure the date codes are fairly new.  Sometimes they'll slip in some 3- or 4-year-old stuff.

[joshua]

I don't think that the 12 Volt 7 AH are good for renewable energy.  First of all you would have to have so many of them to operate anything.

We sell a lot of these for alarm systems as backup power, and replace them in APC/UPC units.  Which are only meant to run a computer for a few minutes when the power goes off.

These are lead acid batteries, and they do not have very thick plates.  So I do not believe they would hold up well to being discharged and recharged repeatedly.

Because they are sealed, I believe with excessive discharge/recharge they will swell something terrible as well.

[Bruce S]

Geoff

I second the idea sent by slingshot.

testing them before paying would be the best bet. I have a few dozen taken out of old UPS units and they are good for short runs such as test loads for new gennies, emergency lights made out of LEDs and just general usage while others are in the dark.

One thing, if you can build a small de-sulfanator and run it on these for awhile to get them back up to working levels, then make sure and have a low volatge cutoff system that will not allow them to get used too far down. Being that they are SLAs they can be hurt just like a car battery.

If nothing else grap a bunch and have fun learning RE with them.

Cheers

Bruce S

[BT Humble]

If you can get them cheap enough, they're great for electric bicycles! :-D

BTH

[WXYZCIENCE]

I have never had success with these for R.E. Charging current has to be around 1-2 amps max. If you charge them fast you won't get any cycles or life out of them. I get good used 100 amp hour sealed type for about $30. Joe.

[ffoegw]

Thanks for everyones help here.

I think I will pass on purchasing these.

Geoff