I am inclined to agree with that. We are in the process of revising our
recommendations on equalizing. It perhaps made sense to do so every month or
so 20 years ago, but I am wondering if that really is a good idea with the
current state of battery chargers and controllers.
..................................................................................................
Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
..................................................................................................
----- Original Message -----
From: "R Ray Walters" <r...@solarray.com>
To: <d...@independentpowerllc.com>; "RE-wrenches"
<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Refractometer vs Hydrometer?
Sounds like:
C) I no longer recommend monthly EQing, but I think its a good idea when
either the bank has not reached full charge for several weeks, or battery
voltages, string currents, or specific gravity readings indicate EQing is
necessary. New controllers with temp compensation, PWM, and 3 stage
charging take much better care of the batteries. Monthly EQing IMHO is a
relic from the C30 days, and now results in unnecessary over heating and
over watering.
Are these perhaps a Rolls L 16?
R. Walters
r...@solarray.com
Solar Engineer
On Feb 13, 2010, at 10:14 AM, d...@independentpowerllc.com wrote:
Dan,
You are on the right track. I've been off the Desulphators for years
because I had so many systems without them that were lasting years longer
than predicted between battery swap outs. I don't know about
refractometer vs hydrometer. I use and trust a "glass in glass"
hydrometer.
Are these bats Trojan L-16's?
4 strings of L-16's @ 48v seems like (32) bats. Is that correct. That
doesn't sound right.
In general. Battery Charge rates of between C-10 to C-20 for PV. And with
an engine generator C-8 to C-12. Limit parallel strings to two (three at
most in rare cases). All battery charging needs good control, proper
settings, temperature comp, and somebody who understands how it all works
to teach the homeowner and be there to answer questions.
We teach the proper use of the hydrometer as a tool that confirms actual
battery condition. We strongly recommend that batteries are fully
recharged at least every week to ten days. Fully recharged means (for me)
that the voltage has gotten up to 59 volts (48v system) and stayed there
for a minimum of two hours (confirm effectiveness of time and battery
charge level with TriMetric meter amp function here, should have tapered
down below 12 amps on a typical 48v battery bank with voltage still at
absorb level (59), can confirm more definitively with a hydrometer here).
Of course individual systems, and battery types, vary. Properly
programmed, and understood, TriMetric monitoring is very useful here. Use
hydrometer to check on how this is all working out for the system.
Frequency of hydrometer use varies with owner's experience level and
system age. Check for all cells to be charged and within 15 basis points,
highest to lowest, to be confirmed as fully charged.
I find that a TriMetric monitor helps with the teaching and
troubleshooting process. Different end users understand it and learn how
to use it with varying degrees of success. Helps in a high percentage of
our off-grid systems.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
-----Original Message-----
From: d...@foxfire-energy.com
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:04:03
To: RE-wrenches<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Refractometer vs Hydrometer?
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