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GaryS1953's avatar
GaryS1953
Explorer II
Sep 20, 2017

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 have this function. My recent incident that ran my almost new batteries down below 10 volts has me thinking I need to equalize, even though they seem to have come back just fine right now. My converter is the original that came with the camper so it does NOT equalize, and I'm thinking eventually of replacing it with a PD, but I'm not ready to do that just yet. Id appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks!
  • red31's avatar
    red31
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2017
    after fully charging,

    connect 200 watts of 12v (10-15A) solar directly to the batteries!

    monitor voltage! disconnect when desired voltage is reached.

    I'd start out in the morning in low light and let the power slowly increase.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2017
    2oldman wrote:
    Without shore power it's near impossible to fully charge batteries. If you have the cash get an Li battery. No fuss of acid.


    Yawn
    Wake me up when the Li-ion batteries arrive

  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 20, 2017
    Can you set the charge voltage? Just put it up to about 15.5 for a couple hours.
    But if you are charging daily to 14.4 to 14.8 you may not need it.
    Hydrometer would know.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2017
    Without shore power it's near impossible to fully charge batteries. If you have the cash get an Li battery. No fuss of acid.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2017
    Doesn't it do an 15.5 equalize every 28 days? As long as sufficient input is available of course. You could also buy a Meanwell power supply for additional charging, equalizing or charging other batteries. Set it up with an anderson connector. I believe I bought this one 13.5 to 15.5
  • GaryS1953's avatar
    GaryS1953
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2017
    I have 2 165 watt panels in series, and have 2 of those Duracell GC2 6 volts with 235 AMP hours. Only about 6 months old, but the breakaway pin accidentally got pulled without my realizing it and ran my batteries WAY down. I posted about this a while back. They SEEM fine right now. After solar charging all day they are just over 13 volts a couple hours after dark, with no load.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2017
    Question

    How much solar amperage potential do you have?

    Battery info. Type of batteries and how many?
    You may have the ability to MANUALLY configure a piece-of-cake equalization circuit for a pittance.

    And to top it off your circuit would be far and away better than any commercial "wizard" circuit. It would agree with the Battery Council International formula for equalization.

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