Used bank of batteries

[Aegis2x]

I came across this and its a great option for my wallet. However I am worried of its longevity. If purchased I plan on mating this to a Renogy 200w system that I plan on expanding to 400w later. I'd like to use this with a 2000w inverter for boondocking to power light electronics and my fridge, its a mini fridge. Otherwise it'll power 12v electronics as needed. Each is 100AH @ 20 Hours

Any advice? See pics please. Charger not included.

--UPDATE--

Ages provided:
HC2863727023- March 21, 2014

HC2234521480- February 18, 2014

HC2361008438- October 17, 2013

HC2113112041- July 1, 2014

 

[peteg59]

If it was me I'd skip the used. Reason being you don't know how many cycles they've been through, or how well the owner maintained them. Pics might look nice, but pics don't tell the real story behind a battery's true health and longevity.
One critical point missing in the ad is the batteries born on date. How old are they?

 

[Aegis2x]

If it was me I'd skip the used. Reason being you don't know how many cycles they've been through, or how well the owner maintained them. Pics might look nice, but pics don't tell the real story behind a battery's true health and longetivity.
One critical point missing in the ad is the batteries born on date. How old are they?

I requested them and updated the post. 2013/2014 mixed.

 

[peteg59]

Guess it depends on what you're trying to do with them.
They are way too old to put into service expecting to turn key and go with them for a reasonable amount of time. They are all out of warranty now, based on what you posted.

If you're still considering them, at the very minimum you should do a load test on them individually.

Ultimately I'd pass...Unless you can get them for half of the asking price, knowing they're living on "borrowed time" and could need replacement at anytime...

 

[o1marc]

Out of warranty period batteries are a crap shoot at best. For a solar battery bank, it's critical the batteries be in good working condition.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Out of warranty period batteries are a crap shoot at best. For a solar battery bank, it's critical the batteries be in good working condition.

+1

I would buy them for scrap value only.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

Even good deep cycle batteries - which these are not - are worth very little after a few years.

The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club. Deka labeled same batts also sold at Lowes.

 

[Johnny Mullet]

One bad battery will ruin the rest. Go with new!

 

[o1marc]

One bad battery will ruin the rest. Go with new!

I've been starting mine everyday since I got it running again. Yesterday I went to start it and instead of rapidly turning over, it chugged through a couple cycles. I checked the 2 batteries and one of them was around low 11's, the other 12+. I've got it on the charger to see if I can equalize them.

 

[Sleddgracer]

what about heavy equipment batteries for a battery bank? 1250cca


https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ...ctor/1974/1250cca-des-12;-24-volt/sli8dagmdpm

 

[o1marc]

I've been starting mine everyday since I got it running again. Yesterday I went to start it and instead of rapidly turning over, it chugged through a couple cycles. I checked the 2 batteries and one of them was around low 11's, the other 12+. I've got it on the charger to see if I can equalize them.

Just went out and it fired up. Now to find out what is draining the batteries.

 

[PNW_Steve]

what about heavy equipment batteries for a battery bank? 1250cca


https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ...ctor/1974/1250cca-des-12;-24-volt/sli8dagmdpm

Those are starting batteries and not well suited to use as a house battery. They will work but have a relatively short lifespan.

Deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates than starting batteries.

Someone previously mentioned the Duracell GC-2's. They are probably one of the best values out there cost Vs performance. If they fit your application they are great.

Not quite enough A/H for my application so I am looking at the Duracell L-16's. Not quite the buy that the GC-2's are but I prefer to avoid parallel strings.

 

[Sleddgracer]

Those are starting batteries and not well suited to use as a house battery. They will work but have a relatively short lifespan.

Deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates than starting batteries.

Someone previously mentioned the Duracell GC-2's. They are probably one of the best values out there cost Vs performance. If they fit your application they are great.

Not quite enough A/H for my application so I am looking at the Duracell L-16's. Not quite the buy that the GC-2's are but I prefer to avoid parallel strings.

l noticed that one or more of those cat batteries were deep cycle

 

[Aegis2x]

Called a local MA and PA shop specializing in all kinds of battery implementations. They had a pair of 12v deep cycle marine batteries that were used returns.

According to the owner they were bought and returned shortly after then sat for about 6 months. Manufactured last year.

Both sit at around 11v but they're gonna refurb/recharge them (I heard at 10A) and sell them to me for 150 total.

2x 12v Group 31 Crown 220AH deep cycle batteries.

They're huge and at 75 a pop I'm thinking yes as a starter.

 

[peteg59]

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I'd avoid anything used.
Those "used returns" were returned for a reason. Too small for the application, thus draining them down to dangerously low voltage levels?
Overcharged to cause damage that also dramatically lowers their service life?
You don't know, and the seller(s) probably don't know much about how they were used either, unless they owned them?
See where I'm going? There are simply too many variables in buying used batteries for me and most other experienced folks to take a chance on buying used batteries. Unless the cost is literally pennies on the dollar vs new, which these you describe, are not...?

Best of luck to you, if you go the used route...

 

[john61ct-SKO]

looking at the Duracell L-16's.

Are they FLA?

Deka / EPM makes great FLA as does Trojan

AGM from both are meh, more so from Deka.

But the Trojan FLA L16 are crazy great, longer lasting than GCs, especially the RE version.

But crazy heavy.

FYI up to four parallel strings should be fine if wiring nice and robust, and three should really be no issue.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

If a top notch bank costing thousands new, say Rolls Surrette came my way

from someone I trusted with a good reason for replacing them early

**and** they were selling for under 15% of the new price including delivery factor,

**and** a proper 20-hour CC discharge test showed them above 90% SoH (halfway to EoL)

then maybe worth the trouble.

 

[Aegis2x]

I bought only onefrom the MA and PA shop after a few tests, one was weak and another at full capacity.

For $60 a crown deep cycle flooded group 31 battery sporting 210ah as a test and learning battery is basically worth is at $0.28 an amp hour.

 

[CMORGANSKOOL]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S1RT58C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


This is the cheapest, best performing 100ah AGM I can find. I'm slowly collecting them for my build.

 

[john61ct-SKO]

meh

and not cheap

The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club. Deka labeled same batts also sold at Lowes.