danAcanuck
New Member
Hi all, I'm finally getting around to installing a battery monitor (Victron BMV-700) after far too long. I'll need to input the Ah capacity of the bank. I understand this is usually done base on manufacturers spec's @ the 20 hr. rating. I'm using 6 x 6v Trojan FLA, L16's configured to 12v with a nominal capacity of about 1100 Ah. Here's my dilemma: these batteries were installed in 2012 so they've got more than a decade on them. I know... you're going to say they're finished, replace them. However, I've babied these, I just don't know how well (since I didn't have a battery monitor on them - bad me). Based on the daily charge, about 1.2kwh, 80ish Ah, they are seldom drawn below 90%. A few times a year, they get down to 12.5v for a day. We have an off grid camp (cabin), used regularly in summer, not in winter. Ambient temperatures seldom exceed 27c/80f. Winters are "cool", I'm guessing the batteries stay at about -15c/5f. The batteries ask for about 4 oz. of water spring and fall. All this to say, they have a pretty good life... they show few/no signs of degradation (but obviously they have based on age).
Back to the battery monitor, I need to input the Ah rating of the battery bank based on a degradated number (I assume), can anyone take a stab at that based on experience? Or is there a method to actually calculate the "remaining" capactiy without drawing them down to zero under load?
I know this is a "how much does a car cost" question, but I thought I ask.
I'll throw one more in here, should I expect the batteries to fail quickly or slowly degrade (becasue of their age)?
Thanks for your time!
Back to the battery monitor, I need to input the Ah rating of the battery bank based on a degradated number (I assume), can anyone take a stab at that based on experience? Or is there a method to actually calculate the "remaining" capactiy without drawing them down to zero under load?
I know this is a "how much does a car cost" question, but I thought I ask.
I'll throw one more in here, should I expect the batteries to fail quickly or slowly degrade (becasue of their age)?
Thanks for your time!