I have been testing a new battery that will be available to our local market pretty soon. After many tests and several discharges and charges, it looks like we might just have a winner here.
In the past I used a constant load of around 5 Amps, but I was told that it is too low to really put the batteries to the test, so I got the load to around 8 to 9 Amps using a 1000w inverter, two fans and an outdoor floodlight.
I put the new battery up against two already proven batteries, the U.S Battery 310C and 270C, and had some interesting results.
US270C: 105Ah
At the higher load I was surprised how well this battery performed by dropping to 11.4V only 25 minutes shorter than the much bigger and heavier 310C (130Ah).
US310C: 130Ah
The higher load did not do this battery any favours, but its performance is still very impressive when compared to everything else we have had available to us to date in SA.
T.B.A: 115Ah
The first test of this battery was not impressive at all, but 7 cycles (charge/discharge) later, and it is out performing even the 310C. One of the most outstanding characteristics of this battery is how long it takes to get down to 75% when compared to the 2 rival batteries. According to the specs this battery is expected to be capable of 3000 cycles at a DOD of 20%, this should give the battery an incredible life span. The other advantage is that it can be left in a semi-discharged state for an indefinite period and then be charged back up to its full potential without any harm to it. It is also totally sealed so it does not have to be fitted in an upright position.
So keep an eye out for these batteries.
In the past I used a constant load of around 5 Amps, but I was told that it is too low to really put the batteries to the test, so I got the load to around 8 to 9 Amps using a 1000w inverter, two fans and an outdoor floodlight.
I put the new battery up against two already proven batteries, the U.S Battery 310C and 270C, and had some interesting results.
US270C: 105Ah
At the higher load I was surprised how well this battery performed by dropping to 11.4V only 25 minutes shorter than the much bigger and heavier 310C (130Ah).
US310C: 130Ah
The higher load did not do this battery any favours, but its performance is still very impressive when compared to everything else we have had available to us to date in SA.
T.B.A: 115Ah
The first test of this battery was not impressive at all, but 7 cycles (charge/discharge) later, and it is out performing even the 310C. One of the most outstanding characteristics of this battery is how long it takes to get down to 75% when compared to the 2 rival batteries. According to the specs this battery is expected to be capable of 3000 cycles at a DOD of 20%, this should give the battery an incredible life span. The other advantage is that it can be left in a semi-discharged state for an indefinite period and then be charged back up to its full potential without any harm to it. It is also totally sealed so it does not have to be fitted in an upright position.
So keep an eye out for these batteries.