inova
join:2006-05-03
Macnutt, SK | Wind power I have just deployed my first my first wind powered tower with the following equipment:
windmill: »www.wsetech.com/FD2_5-300-LH.php
batteries (x2): »www.canadiantire.ca/browse/produ···18b3e46d
Monitor: »www.remotemonitoringsystems.ca/rms2/
Radio: ligoWave LGO2AGN
The chart above shows a test drain (in the shop, nice and warm) of the batteries. The current draw was 300 ma. How low can I allow these batteries to drain before freezing is an issue?
Standby for more questions. I am messing with charting software and lost the chart that would explain my next question... |
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LLigetfa
join:2006-05-15
Fort Frances, ON
kudos:1 | Bury the batteries in an earthen mound that will keep them warmer in winter and cooler in summer. |
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| reply to inova
Not to take this too far off topic but that is one sexy monitoring device that you are using. |
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inova
join:2006-05-03
Macnutt, SK | reply to LLigetfa
I am thinking about burying the batteries however it is 35 to 40 below here. I was happy to get a ground rod into the frost  I'll do something about that come summer.
The monitoring board is way cool. It's onboard temperature sensor showed the board running like a trooper at -30c last night. I am hoping to add a poe pan/tilt cam of some sort and have a nice secure package. The view into the valley from there is great.
My first concern is these low temps and the batteries. What do you think? |
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| reply to inova
SEriuosly, you can't let them get below 24.5 or so, or they are in danger of freezing.
They need to be kept up closer to 25, 27, or even 28 volts routinely, or they WILL freeze in those temperatures. The biggest problem you're going to face here, is that when the temperature falls to -30, the batteries have less than half capacity, and you're not going to want to use more than half of that!
oversize, oversize, oversize. That's youre key to survival.
Oh, and a link to what you used to monitor them.... |
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inova
join:2006-05-03
Macnutt, SK | link in first post... |
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| reply to inova
As neofast says, you need to keep your voltages up.
If you let the voltage drop too much then it kills the
batteries. I.e. you will need to replace them
more frequenty.
Some solar charge controllers have a LVD
(low voltage disconnect).
It looks like your wind generator doesn't have this.
The solar charge controller I use has these LVD specs:
12 V system 24 volt system
Load Disconnect 11.5 V 23.0 V
LVD Reconnect 12.6 V 25.2 V
A cheap way to do this is to set up an alarm
(email, page) with your monitoring and get out
there to the site when the voltage gets low with
a generator to top up the batteries.
As far as cold temps go, I think AGM batteries
(the type you are using) are better than regular
flooded (e.g. car) batteries.
But, as everyone has already said,
it's best to keep them not too cold or too hot.
cheers, John |
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 sporkmedrop the crantini and move it, sisterPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ | reply to AMD Phreak
said by AMD Phreak:Not to take this too far off topic but that is one sexy monitoring device that you are using. And $375 seems like an incredibly fair price! |
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