John G. Lussmyer wrote: > pulling 32AH out of a (nominally) 45AH pack shouldn't be 80% DOD.
A new Optima is rated at 50ah at 25 amps (i.e. 120 minutes reserve capacity). That's 100% DOD at this load. An 80% DOD is 40ah at this load. I've been testing a set of 1-year-old Optimas, and am getting 40-45ah to 10.5v at 25 amps, i.e. that's 100% DOD at that load. So these batteries are still at 80-90% of their new capacity. They work fine, but might still be "bad" for your EV. Given your circumstances, I think I'd add some battery heaters and keep them at 90-100 deg.F. The higher temperatures will increase their capacity, and so reduce your depth of discharge. It would also shorten calendar life, but your batteries are more likely to die of cycle life anyway. -- Lee A. Hart Ring the bells that still can ring 814 8th Ave. N. Forget your perfect offering Sartell, MN 56377 USA There is a crack in everything leeahart_at_earthlink.net That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen
