Can I use......

Posted by Steve Wingfield on June 06, 2008, 04:30:05 PM

Can I use......
Hello all!
I am wondering if I can use some spare UPS style batteries that I have on hand (eg. SLA 12-12AH @ 3.6A & SLA 12-17AH)rather than buying a deep cycle wet battery. I want to build a small PV system for my garden shed for testing and learning. The budget is about one 30w sized panel.
thanks to any that reply,
Steve.   
 

Posted by John B on June 07, 2008, 12:54:06 PM

Re: Can I use...... (Reply #1)
With a 30w panel it should not be a problem. Your approach is a good one, don't spend a lot of money until you're sure of what you're buying.
 

Posted by Steve Wingfield on June 07, 2008, 03:06:04 PM

Re: Can I use...... (Reply #2)
Thanks for the reply John.
Our local Canadian Tire sells the 30amp Sunforce charge controller with display for $129cdn I have seen it cheeper on the web but buying local means no shipping. Has anyone used this unit?
-Steve
 

Posted by John D on June 07, 2008, 08:24:16 PM

Re: Can I use...... (Reply #3)
My first off-grid PV system started with about a dozen used UPS batteries.  It worked well for awhile.  As the batteries aged, and failed one by one, it was a hastle to sort out the good from the bad.  A couple of marine deep cycle batteries from Wal-Mart made life a lot simpler.

Also, it seems that you're planning to mix batteries of different capacities as well.  That is not recommended.  Still, if I were to start over again, I would probably do what you're planning to do. 

And since you're starting off small, I'm wondering why you've chosen a $129 charge controller when you could get by much cheaper.  I suppose it's because you want the display, right?  I decided to go with Morningstar, with display, and I love it.
 

Posted by Steve Wingfield on June 09, 2008, 02:02:39 PM

Re: Can I use...... (Reply #4)
>John D.:I suppose it's because you want the display, right?
Yep, you guessed it and it makes life easier to educate the kids. They could just read the numbers off the controller rather than poking a voltmeter's probes some where they shouldn't. I was wondering if the different type batteries might cause charging problems but then at this size scale I   can try it for the summer months and see, couldn't hurt eh?

thanks, for the replies
-Steve   
 
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