Equalize batteries
I thought I did a lot of research before putting my solar setup together, but apparently my Renogy Tracer 40 AMP MPPT CC does not have an equalization mode. What battery chargers do you gusy use that...
Forum Discussion
I found this on a boating forum:
The Sam's East Penn made Duracell GC2 is a Deka GC-10 with a Duracell Sticker. The Sam's EGC2 is a Deka GC-15 with a Duracell Sticker.
The recommendations from East Penn, for that battery, in a cycling / off-grid application are. (Note: floats are higher in off-grid than typical golf cart use).
At 12V:
Max Charge Current = 30% or less of Ah capacity (20 hour)
Absorption Voltage = 14.4V - 14.7V
Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Absorption Time = 12 Hours
Float Voltage = 13.8V - 14.1V
Float End Time = No Limit
Equalization = 15.0V to 15.3V
Equalization End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Equalization Time = 12 Hours
Temp Compensation = -.018V for every degree °C rise above 25C
Note:
For dock charging you may want to compensate float down to 13.4V to 13.6V the guidance above is for off-grid or deep cycling applications where the batteries are cycled daily.
Stick to the 14.7V end of the absorption range and the batteries will do much better if they are cycled while cruising.
Equalize them to get the SG back up to 1.275 if possible.
I personally would not have my float above 13.5V
The Sam's East Penn made Duracell GC2 is a Deka GC-10 with a Duracell Sticker. The Sam's EGC2 is a Deka GC-15 with a Duracell Sticker.
The recommendations from East Penn, for that battery, in a cycling / off-grid application are. (Note: floats are higher in off-grid than typical golf cart use).
At 12V:
Max Charge Current = 30% or less of Ah capacity (20 hour)
Absorption Voltage = 14.4V - 14.7V
Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Absorption Time = 12 Hours
Float Voltage = 13.8V - 14.1V
Float End Time = No Limit
Equalization = 15.0V to 15.3V
Equalization End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Equalization Time = 12 Hours
Temp Compensation = -.018V for every degree °C rise above 25C
Note:
For dock charging you may want to compensate float down to 13.4V to 13.6V the guidance above is for off-grid or deep cycling applications where the batteries are cycled daily.
Stick to the 14.7V end of the absorption range and the batteries will do much better if they are cycled while cruising.
Equalize them to get the SG back up to 1.275 if possible.
I personally would not have my float above 13.5V
