Portable battery charger. What do you carry?

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
A separate answer about equalization using the HF. Worst case, using a generator where time is money for fuel and noise is anguish for the ears.

Charge however until you have to modulate (adjust) the voltage so it does not exceed 14.8. When the GC's charge rate reduces to around 18 amperes at 14.8 volts (not the easiest thing to orchestrate)change over to the HF. Try 10 amps. If the voltage surges a lot higher than 14.8 reduce the setting to 2 amps which will probably start out around six to eight. This is where the HF 6 amp charger rather than the 10 amp may be a better choice if this exercise is done on a regular basis.

Let the voltage rise slowly and when it gets to 15.5 re-check the specific gravity with a hydrometer.

Equalization is not like giving the batteries a vitamin pill. It is ONLY done when the specific gravity varies greatly from cell to cell. Equalization SHEDS PERFECTLY GOOD ACTIVE POSITIVE PLATE MATERIAL as well as forces sulfate from coated plates back into solution. What equalization is, is choosing the LEAST OF ALL EVILS to maintain a battery in the best condition you can.

Lastly, any "expert" that tells you a VRB valve regulated battery cannot sulfate is either bending the truth or ignorant of it. They are harder to sulfate and even harder to de-sulfate correctly (without damage). You can tell a VRB is sulfated when it loses capacity at an early age and a strict recharging regimen has not been maintained.

Great explanation!

I have two Optimas in their 4th year and have not detected a loss of capacity yet.

I wrote them about what I should do if I suspected sulphation. Their reply was to charge for 12hrs at 10A. That seems too easy!

HTH;
John