Average lifespan of lead batteries

[RTLSHIP]

I have read that some nicad can be put away in storage (without charging) for 20 years or even 100 years as long as water, humidity is kept clear of the contacts. They will recharge and work.
SLA might last 10 or 20 years without cycling, but you would have to top them off every week or so.

 

[auraslip]

One dodge we learned was that both peukert and arrhenius apply - so if you heat the battery to 30degrees over ambient & keep it insulated - it 'thinks' you are discharging it 8 times more slowly yeilding a LOT more power due to peukert.

Awesome if that is true. Does the power saved make up for the power needed to heat the cells?

 

[bobc]

You don't race to save power or be efficient - you race to go furthest/fastest! The "cell heating" power we effectively threw away. The knowledge might be useful round here though ;^)
When I did the tests I expected a slight gain, not over 40%!!! The rationalisation came later (& is not something I've seen in black & white anywhere)

 

[marcexec]

In Germany, some people who drive those http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CityEl, use heating mats like http://www.pollin.de/shop/dt/OTA1OTQxOTk-/KFZ_und_Zweirad/Elektrik/Flaechen_Heizfolie.html to increase range even if taken from the LA batteries. They have to be isolated well, though. can get further details from some German pages if someone is interested.

 

[vanilla ice]

We've had a currie for 4 years, has original SLAs in it and they still work ok. Hasn't had too many cycles though. It was a display model with flat bats, so I'm sure slas are 6 or more years old total.

 

[LAebike]

We recently got some SLA packs from Currie and they are using really high quality BB batteries now. I have had great luck with the lasting years and many more charge cycles then other cells I've purchased.