Re: Why not recycle li-ion batteries and use them for OTG systems?

[Dustoffer]

390 amp hours is the rating of my L16 battery. I have two banks of 4 batteries each for my main system to run twin DR2424 inverters com linked for 180 degree out of phase 232VAC to my standard electric box. Split with only the well pump on 232VAC (actual), and the rest on 116VAC. Each bank is 5472 sq. in. in volume and the corresponding Li-ion 18650s would take 3434 sq. in. both without the extra room for connections.

The best are the nickel iron batteries which are larger than the L-16 lead acid type, which can be discharged even more, last three times longer for 2 1/2 times the price.

The Li-ion are just over a third the number of cycles or life of the lead acid.

Rather than using a whole bunch of laptop batteries, I would think the manufacturers would make some that are already at the common 6vdc and 12vdc sizes, and in the amp hour ranges of the L-16 and the more variable nickel iron, and increase performance cycles to similar, too.

NiMH, too. Both are used in electric vehicle batteries, but at different voltages. My Mercury Mariner is over 3 years old and guaranteed for 7 on its big NiMH battery.

I think no maintenance Li-ion or NiMH rechargeables in similar performance voltages, amp hours and cycles, and styles of the L-16, golf cart, and nickel iron types that are compatible with solar and wind charge controller outputs for recharging, and in smaller and lighter packages, would be something well received in the off-grid community.

I think the labor and connections expense of putting 910 #18650 Li-ion batteries into a 24VDC nominal package that lasts less than half as long as the L-16 type, would not be cost effective.

It is not a wall, but physical reality and real world economics, that have to be considered. Battery bank amp hour sizing is for not only large loads, but days without sun for charging.