Picking up batteries

**JDNSW** · 16th November 2012, 04:56 PM

Today I did the 55km each way into town in the 2a, to pick up my new batteries for the power system. Slightly rough ride in empty - 50psi in the rear tyres. Picked up the batteries, about 650kg, and did a little bit of shopping. Ran into mike109, who wanted to have a look at the 2a.

It rained most of the day, although I think Dubbo got more than I did here, but despite this the 2a behaved perfectly, and had no problems with the weight, although in the interests of fuel economy I drove home at 90kph rather than the 100kph I drove in.

Now all I have to do is to get the batteries unloaded and installed. Probably take most of tomorrow.

John

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 16th November 2012, 05:14 PM

Was this a routine replacement John?

and how many did you get for 650kgs?

**drivesafe** · 16th November 2012, 05:28 PM

Hi John and if you don’t mind me asking, how much and how many of what type of batteries did you get.

**JDNSW** · 16th November 2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Was this a routine replacement John?

and how many did you get for 650kgs?

Replacing 17yo ones

twelve 2v cells.

I have two systems, and this replaces the batteries for one - the others were replaced about four years ago.

John

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 16th November 2012, 05:34 PM

Its funny Tim,,
I was interested in how a professional user evaluates a big $$ (and KG

) battery buy,, how much is not having to change any cables worth? did the last set's (brand) performance change his purchase?
things like that

late edit:

thats 54kgs a battery!
no wonder tomorrow is taken up John!

**JDNSW** · 16th November 2012, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi John and if you don’t mind me asking, how much and how many of what type of batteries did you get.

As in my response to Pedro, this is twelve cells. They are lead-acid sealed gel cells, rated at 800Ah (10hour). They will replace 779Ah (100hour) flooded cell lead-acid cells, so represent a significant upgrade in storage. Cost was around $9,000.

John

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 16th November 2012, 05:40 PM

17 years,,,
wow.

**Ferret** · 16th November 2012, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Cost was around $9,000.

John

Given there is a fairly hefty $ outlay for the batteries (and I assume $'s for recharge capacity (solar/ wind??) + upgrades(if any) over the years) where do you reckon you stand after 17 years of relying on batteries, ahead or behind compared to mains power costs.

**JDNSW** · 16th November 2012, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Ferret

Given there is a fairly hefty $ outlay for the batteries (and I assume $'s for recharge capacity (solar/ wind??) + upgrades(if any) over the years) where do you reckon you stand after 17 years of relying on batteries, ahead or behind compared to mains power costs.

The original cost was slightly less than getting mains power on would have been (about $30,000). The major cost has been battery replacement and fuel for the backup generator. I have not worked it out, but probably slightly ahead. However, you need to realise that my average power consumption is only around 3kWhr/day, compared to the Australian average of around 16. On the other hand, blackouts are much less common than they are for my neighbours, and if the power does go off, I can immediately do something about it.

John

**slug_burner** · 16th November 2012, 08:50 PM

John,

Does that mean you have about 5 to 6 days of reserve in the batteries?

How long can you go without having to fire up the generator?

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