William, It certainly is possible I've missed something, but I've never seen any references to not eating batteries before equalizing. If anything, there is statements saying make sure to check levels before equalizing. I'm not sure why you wouldn't bring levels up before equalizing...
Howie Michaelson Sun Catcher NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™ Solar Electric & Heat Pumps Systems Sales & Service 802-272-0004 On Tue, Feb 9, 2021, 2:05 AM William Miller <[email protected]> wrote: > Friends: > > > > Here is a conundrum I have often pondered. Maybe someone can solve this > for me: > > > > Flooded cell O&M manuals instruct not to top off battery electrolyte > levels before equalizing. They also instruct to check SG before adding > water. > > > > Imagine two identical cells, one low on water, but above the moss-guard, > and one at the recommended level. You equalize the array and then check > the SG on both. > > > > I am imagining that if the cells were equivalent in capacity, they have > the same amount of acid. However if one has less water, it has a higher > ratio of acid to water, therefore it will read higher in SG. If the above > is true, it is not accurate to compare the SG in cells unless the water > level is equal, or close to. > > > > If you were to add distilled water to the cell that was low, the water > would not immediately mix thoroughly. Then to accurately compare SG, you > need to wait some time after watering and you would need to be somewhat > accurate in keeping all cells at the same water level. How long would this > be? > > > > Checking SG is but one part of flooded cell maintenance. My monthly > procedure is this: > > > > 1. Check to see if water is above moss-guard on all cells. (I sometime > skip this if I am confident the cells historically do not dry out in one > month.) > > 2. Initiate an EQ charge cycle. > > 3. Shortly after the EQ cycle, check and record SG in all cells. > > 4. Re-water batteries to correct level. > > > > The above takes long enough. If I have to add water and let it mix before > I test SG, the process takes even longer. Nonetheless, I want accurate > results. My advice to clients and actions taken are dependent on these > readings. > > > > Anyone have any wisdom to pour in? I am going to experiment to see what I > can learn. > > > > William Miller > > > > Miller Solar > > 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 > > 805-438-5600 > > www.millersolar.com > > CA Lic. 773985 > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > http://www.members.re-wrenches.org > >
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