MEGAWATT 60-AMP INTRODUCTION

pnichols wrote:
Even Menna may be making his battery life (pun intended) more complicated than necessary.

This may be all that's REALLY needed for easy living:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

Again, you think I spend lots of time on my batteries. I guess there's just some misunderstanding on your part.

Mex, don't take this personally, because I really like your threads and follow them religiously (hoping that this poor mechanical guy can learn something about batteries). But, sometimes, I don't know if it is me or you but it just seems you talk in code or riddles. I guess I have not been following long enough to pick up the lingo!

Greg

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Lah dee dah dee dah. 22-years and my battery bank wouldn't know a temperarure compensated charger if one crept up behind it and bit it in the butt.

Got neeewwwwwws for y'all temperature compensation is a HUNDRED TIMES more important while bulk charging unless of course you live in Saskatoon. And while a fully charged battery resists sulfation IT DOES NOT RESIST STRATIFICATION of the electrolyte. Ever wonder what 1.400 specific gravity H2SO4 does to lead dioxide?

PLUG N PAY / PLUG N PAY

So a 15.3 V top charge will bubble a bit and stir up that mean old nasty 1.400 SG sitting all settled out, on the bottom of the battery. Shaken, not stirred. And you then hopefully end up with a nice homogenized 1.280 SG when all is said and done?

And what function does a good brief heavy load being applied perform on battery acid stratification?

gmelton2 wrote:
jrnymn7,

Thanks for the response. I was not able to find that kind of information on Interstate Batteries website, the maker of my batteries.

Thanks again.

Greg

Interstate is a label. Interstate does not make batteries.

HTH;
John

jrnymn7,

Thanks for the response. I was not able to find that kind of information on Interstate Batteries website, the maker of my batteries.

Thanks again.

Greg

Thursday morning, it's going down to -25C here. By June it'll be up to 40c. Surely that warrants some level of temp comp, no? Of course, I don't float my bank, anyway, so... :)

Lah dee dah dee dah. 22-years and my battery bank wouldn't know a temperarure compensated charger if one crept up behind it and bit it in the butt.

Got neeewwwwwws for y'all temperature compensation is a HUNDRED TIMES more important while bulk charging unless of course you live in Saskatoon. And while a fully charged battery resists sulfation IT DOES NOT RESIST STRATIFICATION of the electrolyte. Ever wonder what 1.400 specific gravity H2SO4 does to lead dioxide?

PLUG N PAY / PLUG N PAY

jrnymn7 wrote:

...
But it does not mention Temperature Compensation, so how does it do what they claim?

I too am a temp-comp advocate.

The charger's Amp rating is below 5% of anyone's battery/bank. At low Watts like this your bank is safe. It is not a design feature, just an accidental characteristic of a low Amp float charger.

I prefer to leave my 170W solar array and MS MPPT 15L temp-comp controller attached 24/7/365 as it will take better unattended care of my 100A AGM than any fixed voltage float charger.

I let the controller obsess over the actual battery temperature. I need do nothing else.

HTH;
John

pinchols

I feel your pain
Retired 10 years ago busier now than ever and enjoying life way more now
My backwoods 50 acres of forested land along with the 6 buildings require/demand a lot of time. A townhouse / condo or the like is not part of any plans for our future

Well, if it's any consolation, I might be able to help you with one item on your list... a 120W Solar Blvd portable folding solar panel for sale. It does generate at rated 6.6 Amps at 14.4V, perfect for folks with AGM batteries, with clamp on cables and 5 meters of wiring, carry case, etc. After getting a T 1275 and it's special needs, I had to cobble together something else with a bigger 150w panel for the 150 AH battery and 15.0V. ;-) No shipping charges and no sales tax.

I will be in the Q also at some point, surely your wonderful quiet Honda SX650 gennie can handle duties until then.

Another potential option is to sell the stick and brick house, and get into a townhouse or condo, where home owner association dues and property management handle all your outdoor honey do lists, giving you more time to lovingly THINK about oiling your bass fishing reels.

Also maybe tough it out and buy propane once in the Q instead of making a special trip to do so? propane prices, Santa Cruz looks waaay spendy.