You can waste lots of time trying to save an already dieing set of
batteries, or just cut to the chase and install a new set. L16s are not
a long life battery. While some folks can baby them and get 10 years,
I've seen failures at less than 5 years. Compare cycle life; most L16s
are only 600 cycles to 80% DOD. The new Trojan RE series are 1000
cycles to 80% DOD, but you're also up against the too many parallel
string issue, which always contributes to unequal charging and early
battery failure. They need a forklift type (2v cells) battery. HUP
Solar One, Crown, Trojan Industrial, or Rolls all make batteries that
are what you need.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 12/19/2013 6:52 AM, Tump wrote:
What is the Spg (use a good refractometer)of each cell 1.11?1.15?
that temp is not to hi especially w/ the temp comp. Charging w/ the
unit in bulk, the inverter will see voltage rise quickly and decide
that they are charged. disconnect the batteries and check as
individual units Eq at high voltage `32 v and a low charge rate 10
amps, watch the temp Spg . I would suggest that if at all possible
remove 2 sets and eq from the grid for ~week on /off.DO use a temp
sensor and watch the spg. See Surrette's tech bulletin re/ highly
sulfated batteries. www.surrette.com <http://www.surrette.com>.
Anything over 2 strings will cause a headache, BUT thats more the norm
w/ the cheep off grid, I'm going to manage my gen run time kinda of
folks!
On Dec 19, 2013, at 1:28 AM, frenergy wrote:
Gentlemen and women,
I have been called in to deal with a pack of 16 (4 strings of
4 for 24V), L-16s, 6 years old. She is having to run her generator 2
times a day. Here in N.E. CA. its been cold, mostly clear, little
wind. Her inputs are about 1 KW of PV, and small wind machine and of
course a serious generator. Cables and terminals looked clean, were
tight. The bulk setting on the Trace 4024 was 28.0 V for 2 hrs with
RTS, however, she would manually turn off the generator soon after it
reached 28V. Recipe for suphation.
Rather than getting into too much detail, here's my
quandary. When I fired up the generator, the input amps in each of
the 4 strings were.... string #1:29A, 2:34 A, 3:25 A, 4: 13 A. A
survey of IR temps throughout the pack gave temps ranging from 63 to
92 degrees. The highest temps were in the string pulling highest
amps. In trying to find shorted/failed and/or sulphated cells which
data are most relevant? Temps, amp draw during charge, disconnect
strings from each other and check volts of each 6 volt
batt?, active bubbling? ...all the above?
I'm thinking I should have (1) checked the amp draw with
batts under load/genny off in each string AND (2) check amps between
strings with the pack at rest, no input or output. I would love to
EQ the pack but with a temp already in the 90's and uneven currents
in the strings I don't want to risk too high of temp or worse, a
runaway situation and fire. I'm thinking I'd like to yank a few bad
batts and run on 3 strings and then carefully EQ.
I appreciate any insights.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
<FRS_working_logo.jpg>
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm>
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org>
*t...@swnl.net
<blocked::mailto:t...@swnl.net%22%20%5Co%20%22blocked::mailto:t...@swnl.net>**www.SWNL.net*
<blocked::http://www.swnl.net/%22%20%5Co%20%22blocked::http://www.swnl.net/>
Solarwinds Northernlights *//*
*/ Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California/**/
/**/ 207-832-7574 Cl. 610-517-8401 /*
*//**/Blair "TUMP" May/*
*/ ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ********
/**//**/ NABCEP "Certified PV Installer"/**/
/**/
******** MAINE'S CHARTER ********
/**/Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer"/*
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org
