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Post by cuthound on Nov 9, 2016 17:56:19 GMT
Also set your solar regulator/batt charger to 14.8V or close as poss. If a hydrometer can be borrowed I'd also check the specific gravity a couple of hours after a good long charge, and note it down for the future. Don't forget to take the battery temperature and apply correction to the specific gravity readings.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 9, 2016 18:03:10 GMT
Also set your solar regulator/batt charger to 14.8V or close as poss. But the Tracer isn't adjustable... All he can do is select the (too low) wet battery preset.
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 9, 2016 18:27:07 GMT
We found ours to neither want to take charge nor to discharge when we first got them. However after a few cycles down to 40% SoC on the Smartgauge followed by fully charging, they got dramatically better but still to 50+ cycles to get full capacity.
So anyway my gut feeling is that it's better to discharge them quite a bit and recharge, as opposed to just a bit of a discharge followed by a charge. ie work them hard.
Man from Trojan said something about needing the right type of lead sulphate crystals to form.
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Post by canaldweller on Nov 9, 2016 18:34:57 GMT
We found ours to neither want to take charge nor to discharge when we first got them. However after a few cycles down to 40% SoC on the Smartgauge followed by fully charging, they got dramatically better but still to 50+ cycles to get full capacity. So anyway my gut feeling is that it's better to discharge them quite a bit and recharge, as opposed to just a bit of a discharge followed by a charge. ie work them hard. Man from Trojan said something about needing the right type of lead sulphate crystals to form. Is it also correct to do an equalization charge when new? I seem to remember reading it somewhere.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 9, 2016 18:42:03 GMT
Man from Trojan's advice re new batteries only having around 70% of the design capacity said:
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 9, 2016 18:51:01 GMT
Trojan actually said a fair bit more than that. Note that this info was specifically regarding T105s...
Of course, when they say "charge daily" they are probably assuming a DoD >30%, so I'm unsure what to recommend for very shallow discharges.
However, do note the recommended absorption voltage of 15.1V.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 9, 2016 18:55:37 GMT
Actually, reading that again I think they're saying "charge for 2 hours at 15.1V every day regardless of charge state". If so that could explain why Nick finds his batteries 'lazy' after a prolonged period on Float.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Nov 9, 2016 20:22:28 GMT
I read they should be charged at 14.8, I've set my battery charger to this. Should I up it to 15.1 on the advice of Mr Trojan? Also, with this higher voltage, would any appliances working during charges be at risk, beyond the voltage they can take?
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 9, 2016 20:28:05 GMT
I read they should be charged at 14.8, I've set my battery charger to this. Should I up it to 15.1 on the advice of Mr Trojan? Also, with this higher voltage, would any appliances working during charges be at risk, beyond the voltage they can take? I'd stick at 14.8V myself for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it'll treat the batteries more gently and secondly, appliances will be happier. Also the charger will have a slightly easier life. I guess the most interesting point Is that Trojan appear to be pretty indifferent over 0.3V. 14.8V? Fine. 15.1V? Fine. Tony
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 9, 2016 21:05:17 GMT
Yes Trojan do put out some conflicting information. Only thing to bear in mind is that these voltages are with reference to the standard temperature of 20C (or is it 25C?) so when the batteries are cold, the voltage needs to be higher. That said I think if you charge at 14.8v you won't go far wrong.
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Post by smileypete on Nov 10, 2016 9:51:10 GMT
Would agree with Nick ^^^^ If you're able to monitor charging current adequately, in deep winter time it might be better to increase the charge voltage a bit so it's....: 'at the manufacturer's recommended temperature compensated absorption charging voltage level of the battery.'
From 'The Battery FAQ' (http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq9.htm#charged) A while back wrote some recharging tips as follows: 1) Batteries in frequent use need a FULL charge at least weekly - other charging can be near full as practicable. 2) SO, what is a FULL charge, then? To paraphrase 'The Battery FAQ' (link): a) Charge voltage has reached the correct level as required by the manufacturer or specialist supplier. b ) Charge current has tailed off to a steady low level, usually less than 1 to 2% of batt capacity in Ah - may take 6 to 8 hours! c) If a non sealed battery, it helps if the battery acid is fizzing gently at the end - a quick peek once in a blue moon will do. 3) Recharge when the batt voltage no longer recovers above 12.2V, or say 12.1V if running a few LED lights or 12V fridge. If the inverter starts beeping it's definitely time to recharge! 4) IMPORTANT: Safe handling precautions for batteries can be found at 'The Battery FAQ' via the link given above. So going from the above I'd prefer to set the charge voltage high enough to cause moderate 'gassing' of the electrolyte towards end of charge, (say like half flat coke), but no more than the manufacturs stated maximum. However the ideal charge voltage will vary with age, condition and temperature of the battery. If far too high for the conditions, eg in high summer it can lead to thermal runaway where the batt 'boils' and gets knackered with damage and explosion risk from acid fumes and hydrogen. So if you do increase it a bit in winter, be sure to dial it back down for summer.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Nov 10, 2016 11:54:02 GMT
Woke up this morning after watching a few hours of Trump stuff, light on, water pump used to make a few brews, voltmeter showed 12.6 with no loads. Very happy!
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 10, 2016 11:58:26 GMT
Woke up this morning after watching a few hours of Trump stuff, light on, water pump used to make a few brews, voltmeter showed 12.6 with no loads. Very happy! Result! Just ensure that you charge it back up regularly to that 1% figure we all keep banging on about.
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Post by smileypete on Nov 10, 2016 12:55:39 GMT
Just found the temperature vs charging volage table in The Battery FAQ: jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq9.htm#tempSo of the batt is about 10Β°C then you can add half a volt to the normal charge voltage, so up to 15.3V. I'd always check the charge voltage with a decent voltmeter in case the charger is a bit doolaly.
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Post by JohnV on Nov 10, 2016 13:08:53 GMT
Just found the temperature vs charging volage table in The Battery FAQ: jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq9.htm#tempSo of the batt is about 10Β°C then you can add half a volt to the normal charge voltage, so up to 15.3V. I'd always check the charge voltage with an ammeter in case the charger is a bit doolaly. ?
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