Advantages of DC

[WisTech]

I primarily use the 750W version of that Tripp-lite with no problems, and highly recommend them. Few hundred amps of battery (AGM) and away we go, very simple, very inexpensive and it works!

[sirhc]

Very good. That is what we are looking for and we have one on order coming our way now. If this works out great we will probably stick with these ourselves.

Well come on iggy05, if you liked the post give some KUDOS!

I am trying hard to impress the guys here so I can get into the Associates program but the one owner is a real dick!

[rkelly1]

We use 24V deep cycle battery banks charged with a Samlex 24 charger. Everything at the site runs off of DC, no need for an inverter, when the grid power goes out (the Samlex is the only thing plugged in), the tower just keeps on ticking. Each of our towers run for about 3 days without grid power.

The inverters lose some efficiency and your basically going ac-dc-ac. why not just go ac-dc? Of course with an inverter you can plug some ac stuff in but we don't see the need and stick with all DC equip.

If we need a solar site, the same exact setup works except we swap the Samlex charger for a solar mppt charge controller and off we go.

[sirhc]

With the TripLite it is an inverter/charger when needed when AC grid is viable it just passes through AC. The inverter only kicks in when needed.

I used to run DC sites that constantly pulled and charged the batteries but I was replacing batteries every 3 years when using off the shelf deep cycle batteries the lead plates clog. Yes you can buy TRUE commercial grade batteries that are meant for 24/7 charging and discharging like those made by C&D Batteries but those batteries are EXPENSIVE.

With off the shelf batteries they have about a 5 year life cycle if all you do is keep them topped off with a smart charger that is built into the unit that monitors and maintains the batteries with a 3 stage charger.

We can debate this all day and just like all WISPs run their networks differently than the next guy there is no "correct' way just different ways although there are plenty of WRONG ways LOL

Anyway Ford Chevy Potato Patato Tomato Tamato some people like it DC some people like it AC which is why we are working on DC switches. We will have SMART DC and DUMB DC where as DUMB refers to you supplying conditioned 48-53V and SMART where it will take from 9 to 60V it does not care.

The one nice thing about the Smart DC is it will make it easy for the non DC head guys to run a DC site and run batteries into the ground and stay up and the Dumb DC for those that want to use other means of conditioning the DC input.

Me, if I have grid at my disposal I run an AC site with batteries as backup but it is no more correct then a DC site that only uses AC to keep the batteries charged.

[rkelly1]

We use sealed AGM deep cycle batteries and never let them discharge more than 50%. They are designed for this and have been lasting more than 6 years. The nice thing about the Samlux is that the batteries never discharge when connected to the grid and really just start getting used when power goes out. Batteries with an inverter won't last any longer. Whatever works best for you situation is the key.

[iggy05]

Very good. That is what we are looking for and we have one on order coming our way now. If this works out great we will probably stick with these ourselves.

Well come on iggy05, if you liked the post give some KUDOS!

I am trying hard to impress the guys here so I can get into the Associates program but the one owner is a real dick!

haha yea I am terrible at that. I actually just figured out how to kudo someone a few weeks ago. Kudos for all!

[wtm]

The advantage to using DC over AC is that you can supply the switch more Amperage than the internal power supply will provide !

[petecarlson]

Which DC system do you use?

Netsure 211s. Easy and simple to work with. Mark from Amplex did a nice presentation on DC system at WISPA and was quite helpful pointing us in the right direction.

[petecarlson]

I used to run DC sites that constantly pulled and charged the batteries but I was replacing batteries every 3 years when using off the shelf deep cycle batteries the lead plates clog. Yes you can buy TRUE commercial grade batteries that are meant for 24/7 charging and discharging like those made by C&D Batteries but those batteries are EXPENSIVE.

We use Haze TEL30 batteries. Not as crazy expensive as C&D and perform about the same over time IMHO.
http://www.hazebatteryusa.com/c.ACCT907 ... /TEL30.pdf

We get them from SEP. Sometimes they are a PiTA, but they can give you good pricing if you set up an account.

http://sepbatteries.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=TEL30

[rkelly1]

We use Interstate AGM batteries. Good quality, decent price. The regional distributor set us up as a dealer for better pricing and because we use a fair number of them. Haven't had to replace one in 4+ years.