BFL13 wrote:
That is when you have to choose to let them stay just under by SG and gradually sulfate or else do the Equalize/overcharge/top charge and shed some pos plate.
After a while you will have either
-lower capacity batts but maybe with longer to live, or
-full capacity batts to the end of their shorter lives
Or something like that :(
I think what you say here is truth. Some of us are more anal in our approach than others, but we're all probably in the 99th percentile of those with batteries that should be maintained. Some chose to dance on one side of the head of the pin and others on the other side. (I didn't call anyone a pinhead). We've all read anecdotes of those that take a devil-may-care attitude about battery maintenance and still claim to get 8 to 10 years’ service. Everything I have read and personal experience says that the most common problem is chronic undercharge. But the literature also seems to indicate that frequent overcharging is equally destructive.
I don't think I have made the claim anywhere that I get to 100% every day. I do however, get to a full state often enough. I do use the information from the Trimetric and the controller data log to make reasonable assumptions about the relative health and SOC of the batteries.
The truth teller is the hydrometer as we all agree. At this point I do not carry one with me on trips. I have done enough testing with a hydrometer at home under similar circumstances to have faith in what the other instruments are telling me as well.
I take a conservative approach to equalization. Until the SG tells me otherwise I don't equalize. I believe there is enough bubble activity during absorption and during travel to keep things stirred up, so there is no concern along that line.
Maybe when I am able to take extended trips and have to do daily 75--99.9s (:)) for 30 days in a row I'll see the need for more frequent equalization. I will probably never just plop down and stay in one place for that long though.
That being true, I still believe that I can perform an equalization function completely on solar without undue impact on camping style. I have done them at home although I know that doesn't count in your book. I'll say it again. Solar provides all the power I need and keeps the batteries charged and maintained. What else needs to be said?
