Hi outwestbound,
Equalization on a flooded jar is done by exceeding the gassing voltage. If it is done while connected to the RV the top limit for voltage is 15.4. Higher than that, and there is a risk of frying the computer boards in the fridge and other (expensive) items.
If the bank is disconnected, then equalization voltage may go up to 16 or 17 volts. You WANT the jars to gas. Distilled water can be added to flooded jars to make up the losses.
On an AGM, if it gasses beyond the valve regulated pressure, the cells will vent--and there is no way to replace the lost electrolyte. That means permanent lost capacity.
BFL13, MrWizard. and I are all using a special subset of AGM called "surplus acid". They are used in telcom cell towers. They are closer to flooded and are GREAT for low long draws. Your full river jars require different charging protocols, because they are a "starved acid" design. I'd advise you to follow their charging recommendations "to the letter", if you want long life. Standard AGM jars require fairly high charging rates to "wake them up", and they accept more current than regular flooded jars.
Flooded jars start to taper on charging at 85% SOC.
outwestbound wrote:
I have no knowledge in this particular area, but why would the sealed battery profile have no equalization? This poses no risk if they get equalized every 29 days in the flooded profile?
I decided to stay 12Vdc on the bank. Too much brain damage to change!
