Is killing batteries three times too much?
I use a set of 6V golf cart batteries from Costco. The pair that is in my rig now is two years old and they only last a couple of nights before the low voltage alarm on my CPAP starts sounding. When t...
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Measure ALL THE CELLS FIRST with the hydrometer. Find the lowest reading cell. I nicknamed this the WEAK SISTER CELL. You will continue to pick it for hydrometer tests. Forget the other cells unless you are doing an annual or bi-annual full hydrometer test of the battery. The WEAK SISTER will continue to be the first to fall and the last to rise gravity wise. This saves a lot of time.
Don't let the voltage rise too far above 16.0 Use a DING kitchen timer or power cord timer to ensure safety.
One or the other is going to happen...
1. The weak sister is going to revert to original density electrolyte
2. " "not going to" "
Before the voltage maximum of 16.0 is reached. If it doesn't reach original density like the other cells. Wait a day and repeat. There is a 4 hour lag where equalization is halted and the gravity will still keep climbing a little. Be patient. Compensate for temperature.
Now comes the fun part. You equalize and one or more cells did not reach original gravity. How many points are they below original density and how many cells are weak?
You equalize twice a 6 cell battery and find the following
1.260 - 1.280 - 1.275 - 1.270 - 1.250 - 1.270
Only one cell regained original density. The 1.250 cell is a problem. That and in conjunction with the 1.260 cell it spells significant trouble on the way. This battery needs to be replaced or it needs to be understood it falls well within the ranks of walking wounded. This battery WILL HARM any "good" battery permanently connected to it.
But rely on the WEAK SISTER cell when equalizing. Do not just automatically set and forget 5% of ampere hour constant amperage and 16.0 volts, until the battery reaches 16.0 volts. Unneeded overcharging eats positive plates. Shortens battery life enough to pay attention to and react to WEAK SISTER gravity readings.
A normal equalization requires one dip to qualify equalization, another dip (of the weak sister cell) when voltage reaches 15.5. If the cell has not reverted. Dip that cell hourly and cease equalization when the cell reaches 1.275 it will rise further on it's own. 16.0 of course is the voltage limit.
Not a single word, not a single letter or comma of the above applies if trying to equalize with a "smart charger". It only applies to the non-fraudulent BCI equalization protocol.
Hope This Helps
Don't let the voltage rise too far above 16.0 Use a DING kitchen timer or power cord timer to ensure safety.
One or the other is going to happen...
1. The weak sister is going to revert to original density electrolyte
2. " "not going to" "
Before the voltage maximum of 16.0 is reached. If it doesn't reach original density like the other cells. Wait a day and repeat. There is a 4 hour lag where equalization is halted and the gravity will still keep climbing a little. Be patient. Compensate for temperature.
Now comes the fun part. You equalize and one or more cells did not reach original gravity. How many points are they below original density and how many cells are weak?
You equalize twice a 6 cell battery and find the following
1.260 - 1.280 - 1.275 - 1.270 - 1.250 - 1.270
Only one cell regained original density. The 1.250 cell is a problem. That and in conjunction with the 1.260 cell it spells significant trouble on the way. This battery needs to be replaced or it needs to be understood it falls well within the ranks of walking wounded. This battery WILL HARM any "good" battery permanently connected to it.
But rely on the WEAK SISTER cell when equalizing. Do not just automatically set and forget 5% of ampere hour constant amperage and 16.0 volts, until the battery reaches 16.0 volts. Unneeded overcharging eats positive plates. Shortens battery life enough to pay attention to and react to WEAK SISTER gravity readings.
A normal equalization requires one dip to qualify equalization, another dip (of the weak sister cell) when voltage reaches 15.5. If the cell has not reverted. Dip that cell hourly and cease equalization when the cell reaches 1.275 it will rise further on it's own. 16.0 of course is the voltage limit.
Not a single word, not a single letter or comma of the above applies if trying to equalize with a "smart charger". It only applies to the non-fraudulent BCI equalization protocol.
Hope This Helps
