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Old 05-07-2009, 01:23   #1
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NON-Deep Cycle Batt for House?

Hi Folks

Till now I have 110AHs for the House bank and was just about to rush down town and buy 200AH's of new batts...
...but...
Intervention of the nicest kind someone gave me 3 x 92 AH batts, but they are unlikely to be deep cycle.

They are used Telecommunications batteries that have been in a rack on trickle charge for a few years.

They are fine and doing the job well for 24 hours...

Philosophical Question is: How long does a non-deep cycling battery last? Will it really hit the skids in a few deep cycles? Or would its life expectancy just be reduced by, say, half? More?

I am keeping my old batteries as standbys.


Mark
I would like these batteries to last 6 months... longer would be fine
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Old 05-07-2009, 02:46   #2
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If they were part of a UPS or something similar, there's every chance they would be deep cycle batteries.
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Old 05-07-2009, 03:39   #3
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Telecom’ Batteries are generally designed for Standby Power (Float Service), where the batteries are continuously €(float) charged by the Utility power and only occasionally, in the event of a power outage, are the batteries discharged.
Generally, they’ll provide superior life in float service (10 - 20 years), moderate service (perhaps 1000 - 2000 cycles) life at 20% depth of discharge (DoD), and poor service at 50% DoD (< ½ that expected at 20% DoD).
There's no telling how many cycles these used batteries have already undegone.
But, hey, they'll all be "free" amp-hours.
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Old 05-07-2009, 06:19   #4
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Mark,
look up the specs of the batteries from the info on the side of the batteries on the internet. That way you will know what you have. I am sure you will be pleased & they will be deep cycle gell batteries of very good source!!
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Old 05-07-2009, 06:33   #5
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Intervention of the nicest kind someone gave me 3 x 92 AH batts,
Man some guys get all the breaks. Now you have money for more beers and another bathing suit for Nicole.

Paul
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Old 05-07-2009, 07:30   #6
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I'm amazed that you've managed with 110 AHs for all this time.
Good on you!
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Old 05-07-2009, 08:32   #7
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I'm amazed that you've managed with 110 AHs for all this time.
110 AHs is about all I am using so as to get a long life from the batteries:

440 A house bank = 4 deep cycle Golf Cart batteries.
Max recommended discharge is 50% for normal life of 700 or so cycles.

I cut that in half hoping the batteries will last longer than 4 to 5 years.

With solar panels and LED lights on the boat, not a problem, never have to go below 25% discharge and can sit for anchor a week without starting the diesel to charge.

As for the question on this thread: Is the phone batteries deep-cycle or not?
I was told deep-cycle batteries are "heavier" due to more lead, perhaps the weight would be an indication?
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Old 05-07-2009, 14:42   #8
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Originally Posted by bill good View Post
look up the specs of the batteries from the info on the side of the batteries on the internet. Paul
Hi Paul, I looked them up before I installed them but they dont say if they are deep cycle. SBS C11 http://www.enersys-japan.com/documents/telecom.pdf

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perhaps 1000 - 2000 cycles --------50% DoD (< ½ that expected at 20% DoD).
.
Thanks Gord
I would be happy as larry to get 500 cycles, even 200



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Now you have money for more beers and another bathing suit for Nicole.

Paul

I need beer, but she don't need no bikini!




Thanks everyone for your wiseness

Mark
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Old 05-07-2009, 16:45   #9
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Mark,
They are Dcycle. If you had to buy them you would not be able to buy beer as well!!

You have just got your Solar rebate from the Gov!!
Regards Bill
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Old 06-07-2009, 13:09   #10
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Mark, it is common for telecom folks to give those batteries to radio clubs and other folks, so they don't have to dispose of the hazmat material. Telecom users are critical, and after about 2 years of service on a backup/floating power rig those batteries are usually down to 50% of their capacity, so they get trashed and replaced.

You can expect they are good for 50% of capacity, perhaps a bit more if you cycle them a few times and try to wake them up. Many hams get quite a bit of useful life from batteries that are given away just that way--but no, they won't be anywhere near the same as new batteries. At that price, they're probably worth using, but remember that if they are AGM batteries (99.9% chance) you can't charge them the same way as wet cells.
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