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Jose_in_Dallas wrote: ↑Sun Oct 23, 2022 9:23 pm

G.A. Heath wrote: ↑Wed Oct 12, 2022 12:54 am In actuality LiFePo4 batteries tend to weigh less than other battery types with the same capacity, additionally the way capacity is measured you will see more run time with a LiFePo4 battery than a lead acid or AGM battery of the same capacity rating. The real downside to LiFePo4 batteries is the cost.

I must have misread that. Good to know.

You were correct about the cost however... Quite a bit more expensive.

I have one that I use as a backup power source from my HAM station. Holds a charge for a LONG time and saves weight in my portable station that I built into a pelican case. Expensive, but, for the right purpose, worth the cost.

03Lightningrocks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 10:29 pm We have a customer that installed solar panels. He has two very large batteries in his attic to hold the charge. He spent around 30K for this set up. He put it in 18 months ago. He told me he has not received an electric bill since. Now is it worth 30K? I don't know but for me that would take at least 12-15 years to break even. I don't know if they are the type you are talking about but they do hold enough charge to run his entire 2500 square foot home.

Unfortunately, in 12-15 years he will have had to replace those hot-attic batteries at least twice (possibly 3x)... pushing out the break even by another decade. My neighbor in NC and my BiL in VA both had off-grid solar systems that I had the chance to watch in action. NC Neighbor lived like an energy pauper, had to install a geothermal system for air conditioning and was still either too hot in the summer or was supplementing in the winter with the fireplace. BiL gave up after 2 battery replacements over about 5-6 years and connected to the grid when it became available.

Batteries are not the answer for energy storage.... Too dirty to produce and recycle... too short a life span.... not enough energy density.