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mikedefieslife · 14-10-2018, 06:43

Been mulling over replacing my Trojan T105s as they are getting on in years now. They were installed by a previous owner and date codes signal that some are from 2012 and others from 2014.

Anyhow. I've noticed a bit os swelling on the side cases of them. Not sure how common that is with FLA, but I've seen a thread or two elsewhere about it happening with new T105s.

Any thoughts?

S/V Illusion · 14-10-2018, 06:58

Never seen that. If I were to guess, I'd say you don't have temperature sensor compensation on your charging circuit and periodically cooked the batteries. Properly maintained Trojans should last more than a few years.

mikedefieslife · 14-10-2018, 07:06

Well some of these are 6 years old, and some 4 years old, so they are getting on. My sources do have a temp sensor. I can't comment for how they have been used previously.

Recently had my eye some nice Rolls batteries

Nicholson58 · 14-10-2018, 07:19

Resisting my urge for a comic comment on the thread title.

These are too new for failure so I have to agree with Illusion. My AGM Lifelines are 9&10 now. Swelling generally means bad news, sulfonation etc.

You might gather useful knowledge here.
https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com

travellerw · 14-10-2018, 07:22

That is not swelling, that is bulging. Its very common to see even new T105s with a slight bulge in the cases. They do this much less than the cheap golf cart batts from Coscto or Sams, but they definately do it. Costco or Sams batteries are usually bulged while sitting on the shelf. I wouldn't use that as an indicator that its time to replace the batteries.

I would ask "why" you want to replace them. Are they no longer meeting your needs? Do they have significant voltage sage? Are you waking up with low voltage in the morning?

Steven UK · 14-10-2018, 07:28

Only slightly swelling Trojans?

Waking up with low voltage in the morning?

Well none of ure getting any younger...

I’m sure there is something on the internet for that...

lMAO.... sorry couldn’t resist it... mentally I never got out of my adolescence

Nicholson58 · 14-10-2018, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven UK

Only slightly swelling Trojans?

Waking up with low voltage in the morning?

Well none of ure getting any younger...

I’m sure there is something on the internet for that...

lMAO.... sorry couldn’t resist it... mentally I never got out of my adolescence

Let the mirthiness begin.

Steven UK · 14-10-2018, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Let the mirthiness begin.

I had to look up ‘mirth’ ...

. My wife is wondering what I’m smiling at.

I also don’t think the swelling is much to worry about (giggle), age (giggle) and hot environment with a reasonably dense / heavy contents with ‘constant movement’ (giggle) will encourage some creep of plastic over time. If the battery performance is acceptable stay with them.

On a side note I’ve just had a battery cell explode due to (best guess) an over charging alternator and a blocked vent cap. The machine had done over 1k hours in a dusty environment. So a quick check of the vent caps wouldn’t hurt just for piece of mind... good luck.

mikedefieslife · 14-10-2018, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by travellerw

I would ask "why" you want to replace them. Are they no longer meeting your needs? Do they have significant voltage sage? Are you waking up with low voltage in the morning?

The performance of the batteries is fine can't say I've ever had a problem with them. Voltages have been good, and SG is in the right range.
I've always planned on replacing them at some point to free up space and weight in the compartment they were in.

I can save a good 80kg, and have some storage space.

Nicholson58 · 14-10-2018, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven UK

I had to look up ‘mirth’ ...

. My wife is wondering what I’m smiling at.

I also don’t think the swelling is much to worry about (giggle), age (giggle) and hot environment with a reasonably dense / heavy contents with ‘constant movement’ (giggle) will encourage some creep of plastic over time. If the battery performance is acceptable stay with them.

On a side note I’ve just had a battery cell explode due to (best guess) an over charging alternator and a blocked vent cap. The machine had done over 1k hours in a dusty environment. So a quick check of the vent caps wouldn’t hurt just for piece of mind... good luck.

I replaced all of my lead acid wet, vented batteries with AGM Lifelines after one of the old batteries exploded violently

Chotu · 14-10-2018, 09:03

Don't worry about it. Mine have always done the same. They won't fail.

travellerw · 14-10-2018, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

The performance of the batteries is fine can't say I've ever had a problem with them. Voltages have been good, and SG is in the right range.
I've always planned on replacing them at some point to free up space and weight in the compartment they were in.

I can save a good 80kg, and have some storage space.

So you are planning to replace them with a smaller bank (less AHs)? As far as I know, there are no AGM batteries that offer the same AH in less weight.

I did a quick calculation on Rolls R12-100AGM vs T105.

R12 6 x 59lb 354lbs(160.5KG) 600ah
T105 6 x 62lb 372lbs(168.7KG) 675ah

So yes the Rolls are 8KG lighter total, but you loose 75ah of usable capacity. The only way I can see you saving 80KG is if you are installing 1/2 the capacity.

Just for fun, I also did Oasis Firefly batts.
Firefly 6 x 75lbs 450lbs(204KG) 660ah

**a64pilot** · 14-10-2018, 10:23

For at least the Lifeline batteries, bulging and or concave sides is normal, its most likely due to the valve regulated design part, that allows enough pressure to build to slightly bulge the case and or suck it in when they cool.
This is a picture from a class I took on the Concorde aircraft batteries, Concorde is of course the parent company of Lifeline, and there is very little difference between the two, at least according to them.