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Post by kenneth on Aug 24, 2018 14:31:33 GMT
I have a sign by the interstate with 50 watts of LED lights, powered by an inverter and two large Walmart marine deep cycle batteries, which are charged by 2 of Renogy's 100W panels. Everything works great in the spring summer and fall. Even in the winter when it isn't too cold, and the sun shines in the daytime, all is well. but when the temp drops into the single digits, and or when it was a cloudy day, the sign is either dark (it lasts for a while, but not all night - Renogy's controller shuts it down to protect the batteries from over-discharge), or I have to haul two replacement batteries out there. What kind of battery do I need that can operate in the cold of winter. I know if the lead acid batteries could be heated, they would work better, but it is one mile from conventional electricity (hence the solar system). We are in the panhandle of Nebraska, where nighttime hours far exceed daytime hours in the winter. THank you for suggestions!
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Post by tattoo on Aug 24, 2018 16:53:12 GMT
No batteries do well in really cold weather.... They need to be warm to work properly.....
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Post by bupkis on Aug 24, 2018 17:57:55 GMT
chemical reactions slow as temp drops.
Charged battery electrolyte freezes at very low temps, discharged battery electrolyte can freeze just like water.
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v10
Solar Advocate
Posts: 81
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Post by v10 on Aug 24, 2018 23:44:04 GMT
They make AC battery heaters, there might be one that runs on DC.
Maybe an extremely well insulated, but vented, box and some type of low draw heating element.
You may have to ad to your set-up to run it though. Anything producing heat draws a lot of power.
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Post by kenneth on Aug 26, 2018 15:55:16 GMT
Thank you all for your answers. The solar controller shuts things down so that the battery hasn't gotten so discharged that it froze, yet anyway. I do have the batteries in a box, but yes, it is vented, so not much benefit. If I could put them in a cellar, or like you said, insulate very well, somehow keeping vented.  Here is the sign, maybe some of you have seen it around mile marker 92 on I-80. www.b4Jesus.org, on facebook @beforjesus. Thank you so much! You have saved me from spending bookoo bucks on fancy batteries. |
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Post by tattoo on Aug 26, 2018 16:26:23 GMT
Thank you all for your answers. Thank you so much! You have saved me from spending bookoo bucks on fancy batteries. Anytime..... Solar is all about saving money.... |
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