Sun Xtender Cycle Life TestingBattery Cycle Life is determined by the number of cycles that can be obtained from a battery based on its depth of discharge [DOD]. Other factors to consider that affect the battery’s life include temperature, end-of-life capacity and end voltage on full discharge.
The data published by many manufacturers [if any is published] can be confusing due to the fact that in the past there had been no established testing criteria.
There is a standard set by the International Electrotechnical Commission [IEC] that has established test criteria and standards to which battery cycle life can be compared. The test standard is the IEC # 60896-2 for Endurance [Cycle Life] Testing. Though this standard is not indicative of how a battery is used in the real world of Renewable Energy Storage / Solar Energy / Photovoltaic Systems, it does give a basis for comparison.
The IEC Standard maintains the solar energy battery at a constant 20°C [68°F] throughout the test, the full discharge of the battery is actually only about 57% of its capacity, the voltage at the end of full discharge cannot go below 1.8V/Cell [10.8V for a 12 volt battery] and the end of life capacity is 80% of the rated capacity.
Based on the IEC’s Test Standard, the Sun Xtender® Battery would offer the following cycle life:
|
% D.O.D. | No. Of Cycles |
| 10 | 8,100 |
| 20 | 4,800 |
| 30 | 3,500 |
| 50 | 2,050 |
| 80 | 1,200 |
Concorde’s Life Cycle Test Standards are far more demanding than the IEC’s standard and represent a very conservative life cycle expectancy. The solar energy battery must be fully discharged to 100% of capacity, the test temperature is 25°C [77°F], the voltage at the end of full discharge is 1.75 V/Cell [10.5V for a 12 volt battery] and end of life is at 80% capacity. Concorde’s published Cycle Life is listed below:
|
% D.O.D. | No. Of Cycles |
| 10 | 5,200 |
| 20 | 2,800 |
| 30 | 1,850 |
| 50 | 1,050 |
| 80 | 550 |
Naturally, the Concorde Battery Corporation test data is lower than the IEC test results due to their less stringent test requirements. We feel that the standards Concorde Battery employs provide a more conservative option to the IEC when planning or designing systems.
For instance, a given AGM battery operated at a continuous 20°C [68°F] will experience considerably longer life than the same battery operated continuously at 25 C. [77 F.]. Additionally, if the full discharge of this same battery is only 57% of its rated capacity then its cycle life at the reported 20% depth of discharge is actually only an 11.5% discharge. Therefore, it’s imperative to carefully consider how the manufacturers’ data for establishing cycle life was developed.
In the real world of Solar Energy / Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, Concorde’s Sun Xtender® AGM Batteries are experiencing more than 10 years of life in most properly designed systems.
Concorde’s Sun Xtender® AGM batteries have been used in the Solar Energy / Photovoltaic (PV) industry for nearly 19 years and have an excellent track record of quality, safety, reliability, life and performance.
The Concorde Sun Xtender® Series Battery - the finest, safest and most cost effective Renewable Energy / Solar Energy / Photovoltaic battery available in the industry.
The data/information contained in the Sun Xtender official website has been reviewed and approved for general release on the basis that these documents contain no export-controlled information.
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