Todd, If in fact one was only equalizing in a grid-tied float service, do you have a clear sense of how often or under what criteria equalizing would be indicated?
Howie -- Howie Michaelson NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ Catamount Solar, LLC Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service VT Solar Electric & Hot Water Incentive Partner http://www.CatamountSolar.com 802-272-0004 On Tue, February 21, 2012 12:44 pm, [email protected] wrote: > > the two battery manufacturers say that cycling of floated batteries is > 100% unnecessary. > > equalizing is still important to prevent stratification of the > electrolyte... but equalizing and cycling are different things. > > todd > > > > On Tuesday, February 21, 2012 6:33am, "Drake" > <[email protected]> said: > > > In my experience, at least my batteries need to be cycled. Here is the > data. > > AC coupled backup system. The batteries are usually only supplying the > inverter controls, with the pair of Outback 3524 inverters connected but > turned off at the Mate. 80 watts of pv is used for a battery maintainer. > The 2160 W of PV usually goes straight to the grid, and is switched over > when needed. > > The batteries will remain essentially dormant with self discharge and > control power somewhat balanced by a trickle charge coming from the small > sub array. The batteries hold around 25.2 volts over night. When they > drop to 25 or 24.8, I charge and often equalize them. > > Just equalizing will not make them hold at 25.2 V again. Even back to > back equalization will not keep the battery V from dropping to 25 almost > immediately. If I switch to off grid mode for a night to cycle the > batteries and then bulk charge them, they will hold the 25.2 V again. > > I think cycling really is needed to mix up the acid. > > Drake > > > > > Sent from Finest Planet WebMail. > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: [email protected] > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
