My solar and the chassis batteries

X3 Do a full bulk/absorb/float charge to 100 percent SOC.

Then check the SG to see if equalization is indicated. If so do it once then decide if the batteries are OK.

Thankyou both MrWizard and landyacht318

Will indeed make sure the house batteries are FULLY charged before the EQ. MrWizard.

Landyacht has it correct when he stated "last legs". They are indeed on the way out so I thought I'd slap them around to see what I can get out of them.

Clouds for the next couple of days so I'm going to give it a rest.

MrWizard wrote:


You don't start the equalize voltage from a partial SOC

You don't do it, unless the batteries are already fully charged

x2

I am surprised 40 or 50 xantrax amps can actually get the 2? GC-2 depleted batteries to 16 volts in what 'appears' to be within an hour or 2 time frame.

My single 90AH AGM battery when depleted can take 40 amps for 30 minutes before absorption voltage is hit. It then requires a minimum of 3.5 hours before amps taper to ~0.35a at 14.7v which is generally considered fully charged.

The battery needs to be held at absorption voltage for a period of time before pushing it to 16v for an EQ cycle.

Sounds like the batteries are really on their last legs, and new ones are in your future, but the new ones will not appreciate being pushed past 14.8v when less than fully charged either.

The hydrometer will reveal a lot, so would an ammeter. Voltage readings alone without knowing how many amps at that electrical pressure, are flowing, can be very confusing and not indicate much at all.

The problem I see now
Is your procedure
Iirc batteries are supposed to be fully charged normally (what ever number of hours it takes to get them there)

Then you check sg, then you equalize them , checking sg until they are as close to oem as possible

You don't start the equalize voltage from a partial SOC
Equalize is not a charge cycle
You don't do it, unless the batteries are already fully charged

WOW, I thought that I'd ask others for opinions. Not looking for any theatrics from Mex or winks and grins from red31.

Mex I'm running Interstate 6 volts that are most likely original to this coach. I don't know who Juanita Duran in the post princess bounder is and what it has to do with my question. Ever consider writing a book?

For the serious readers who want to lean.

I'm off grid.
Started the genset at 9:00 because I had to take the chill of so I decided to put the Xantrex into EQ
Was indeed watching the SC while I was cooking them at 16.1 volts. After about an hour I shut down the genny to let the Midnight Classic 150 take over but about 20 minutes later ran out of sun (the clouds rolled in) so I just shut down the EQ.
They are looking much better. Looks like a trip to Sams Club is in the near future. I will consider this thread done unless someone has something intelligent to add.

Midnight Classic default EQ set to 2 hours, Xantrex EQ will run for 8 hours. So, maybe I should have phrased the question differently.

Thanks all

mchero wrote:
Red31
On my way out the door earlier when I saw your post;
Read this from Trojan, the name we all know & trust.

http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Equalizing.aspx

so does that answer your question of How long to EQ? another wink ;) and an added big grin :B

Ain't life grand? The last I heard (2 years ago) Juanita Duran living in an RV in Campo, CA. was still using a Costco engine starting battery in her power post princess Bounder. Fewer waterings and when the power quit a few times for an hour or so the Johnson Controls group 27 did a fine job.

The Moral Is this: Analyze the scenario first before deciding a rote decision has to be an automatically correct conclusion. Some folks never boondock and from there a gradient exists all the way to 100% off-grid living. Imposing a one answer fits all is not the most intelligent response.

Red31
On my way out the door earlier when I saw your post;
Read this from Trojan, the name we all know & trust.

http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Equalizing.aspx

red31 wrote:

mchero wrote:


How long should I Eq??

what is its purpose? ;)

Can someone provide a link to battery equalization? I'm not good at explaining it in plain english.

Thanks

mchero wrote:


How long should I Eq??

what is its purpose? ;)