I'm looking for a place or a person in southern California that can equalize my 2 Trojan t105s. I called a couple local battery shops and they didn't know what I was talking about. I know a few of you here will respond to go out and purchase a charger capable. Id rather take them to someone who knows what they are doing and do it right. Thanks

judelaurenzo25g wrote: Id rather take them to someone who knows what they are doing and do it right.I usually am of that opinion, but battery equalization doesn't require much skill.Additionally, it's something that should be done on a regular basis when using them a lot. Once a month is not too often.

Telephone a golf course. Ask to speak to The Golf Pro. He'll know of a place.

You could pay just once and buy a batteryminder and take care of your own and friends. Easy peasy!!

Battery places are not generally in the business to maintain batteries. They want to diagnose issues and sell new batteries. So I have to recommend a ~200w solar panel and a controller that will automatically equalize the batteries. The daily solar charging will also tend to keep the batteries at max capacity.OK off the soap box...Call these guys and see what you can do. Tell them the Trojans seem to be weakening and ask if they can charge/equalize/hydrometer/load test etc. to see how they are functioning.http://www.yelp.com/biz/battery-mart-costa-mesa

I'd do it but you're a couple hours from me. Batteries need a full charge first before equalizing. You need a decent charger to get them close, then a manual charger to top them off. Since you might not have done this before, wait a day (leave them disconnected from ALL loads) and check the specific gravity with a good glass hydrometer. If the SG is .005 or less between the cells then you're good, if not zap them with the manual charger for a couple hours and check SG again.

Battery equalization in southern California | Good Sam Community

judelaurenzo25g
Explorer
May 18, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
judelaurenzo25g wrote:
I'll keep them on the charger for a few days and equalize them next weekend. I'll post my results next. Thanks!

have you read the instructions with the PD9245 yet, in full? If need be, leave the PD9245 plugged in for a week straight.... It should "equalize" cycle every 21 hours or so. Give it some time to do it's job, and lets see what the Specific Gravity is in a week. Anything about 1.270 is good, 1.280 would be outstanding. Keep in mind, the batteries ar about 5.5 years old. Specific gravity might be a little lower if your plates have sulphated a bit and are somewhat permanent.

I read the instructions I want to equalize them and rattle the plates anyway. Is that bad?
judelaurenzo25g
Explorer
May 18, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
judelaurenzo25g wrote:
I'll keep them on the charger for a few days and equalize them next weekend. I'll post my results next. Thanks!

have you read the instructions with the PD9245 yet, in full? If need be, leave the PD9245 plugged in for a week straight.... It should "equalize" cycle every 21 hours or so. Give it some time to do it's job, and lets see what the Specific Gravity is in a week. Anything about 1.270 is good, 1.280 would be outstanding. Keep in mind, the batteries ar about 5.5 years old. Specific gravity might be a little lower if your plates have sulphated a bit and are somewhat permanent.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 18, 2014
Hi Niner,

15 minutes every 21 hours is not going to equalize. It will destratify, but so will driving.
NinerBikes
Explorer
May 18, 2014
judelaurenzo25g wrote:
I'll keep them on the charger for a few days and equalize them next weekend. I'll post my results next. Thanks!

have you read the instructions with the PD9245 yet, in full? If need be, leave the PD9245 plugged in for a week straight.... It should "equalize" cycle every 21 hours or so. Give it some time to do it's job, and lets see what the Specific Gravity is in a week. Anything about 1.270 is good, 1.280 would be outstanding. Keep in mind, the batteries ar about 5.5 years old. Specific gravity might be a little lower if your plates have sulphated a bit and are somewhat permanent.
judelaurenzo25g
Explorer
May 18, 2014
I'll keep them on the charger for a few days and equalize them next weekend. I'll post my results next. Thanks!
time2roll
Nomad
May 18, 2014
judelaurenzo25g wrote:
When do I know if it's time to switch them out?
When they no longer satisfy your needs. Could be five more years.

Otherwise a hydrometer will tell the true story. But I try to avoid using the hydrometer if possible.
NinerBikes
Explorer
May 18, 2014
judelaurenzo25g wrote:
I installed a new progressive dynamics converter with charge wizard today. I checked the date on my batteries and they say A9, so I assume they are 5 years old. After putting them on the charger for only 4 hours they are holding a 13.1v charge. I have not equalized them yet. My batteries even with the wfco charger have always been good to me. I can run my furnace all night even in the poor state they are in now. When do I know if it's time to switch them out?

Keep running it for a couple of days. You need to bring them up fully, and get the specific gravity up to 1.275 for each cell, or better, to 1.280. Is the pendant indicating it's still solid color green and in bulk mode?

It's going to be OK, just let it sit charged in for the weekend. Check the specific gravity with a specific gravity dipper, and write the readings down.

https://www.google.com/search?q=specific+gravity+tester+for+battery&rlz=1CASMAE_enUS529US529&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kR14U7yjO4rxoATWmID4Bg&ved=0CFcQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=633
judelaurenzo25g
Explorer
May 18, 2014
I installed a new progressive dynamics converter with charge wizard today. I checked the date on my batteries and they say A9, so I assume they are 5 years old. After putting them on the charger for only 4 hours they are holding a 13.1v charge. I have not equalized them yet. My batteries even with the wfco charger have always been good to me. I can run my furnace all night even in the poor state they are in now. When do I know if it's time to switch them out?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 01, 2014
I've had to maintain badly sulfated L-16's at 7.8 volts for THREE DAYS to get them to revert. Not working hour days - 72+ hours.

My griping is this. People have this particular battery, use it that particular way, and have some model of ROM controlled nightmare charging apparatus.

They stumble upon something that seems to work for them. A system. Now what are the chances this is going to work for someone else?

There is nothing wrong with constant voltage charging or floating.

But it does half the job. The other half CAN FREAKIN' NOT be done with an integrated circuit on heavily cycled batteries. "Close" only counts in horseshoes.
KendallP
Explorer
May 01, 2014
BFL13 wrote:
IMO, Mex in his comments above, was confusing the B&D/Vector Recondition with the Equalize...

...Mex is right that it might take a couple of Es in a row to get the SG up but that depends on what the batteries have been doing lately. for a simple stirring once is plenty.

I'm thinking he meant "Equalize." The B&D will quit when the current gets down to around 0.8 or so. And that may not take long.

So if you have sulfated batteries, i.e. lower capacity... a single, short session at 16.1 V may not do enough to break it up. You, of all RVers are familiar with this.

That said... I am in complete agreement that the B&D is about as good as it gets for your average... non-battery-obsessed... RVer. With proper use, it should get you a few extra years. And what's the monthly cost of a pair of GC2s that go 8 years vs. 6 anyway... maybe a couple of miles worth of gas???

Yep. Just ran a quick calculation. The difference is less than a dollar per month. Even Mex on his fixed income could afford that.

Yeah, we like to get as much as we can out of our batteries, but let's keep it in perspective, shall we? Our batteries work for US! Let's not lose too much sleep over their health. Charge 'em. Run the B&D equalize. Check the SG. Plug in and go watch a (SF) Giants game.

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