Tom (TTABS) makes an excellent point about equalizing (I think of it as 'supercharging') my battery bank.
Back when I lived in my 5th wheel RV, and had large amounts of solar power on the roof, I could routinely equalize them, because my charge controller allowed the increased voltage to do it upon (my) command.
Today, my bug-in location utilizes a normal battery charger which, of course, shuts down the charging when the batts reach their limit, but no further.
These batteries really do need to be equalized/supercharged. I've had 'em two years now and they've never been charged up to the point that the AGMs really want.
Any of you know of a solution? I'm reluctant to build a proper controller from scratch as I am, at some point soon, going to be putting in the solar panels, charge controller (WITH equalizing capability...) and whatnot.
73,
Luck, WA4STO
Luck, great topic - does the chemical "shake-up" of the crystals that form on the cells - help to get deeper charge?
Also - do you know the size of your future solar set-up and the cost?
Quote from: White Tiger on June 16, 2013, 12:05:31 PM
Luck, great topic - does the chemical "shake-up" of the crystals that form on the cells - help to get deeper charge?
Also - do you know the size of your future solar set-up and the cost?
The internal shake-up, chemically, is something that doesn't seem to make any real sense in my (withering) brain. I gather that the ability to give the batteries a higher voltage charge (equalization) is something that my charger just won't do. So I need to make sure I get the kind of solar charge-controller that TTABS uses so that I can do that, when it comes time to do the solar planning.
No, I have only the vaguest notion of the size and cost of the solar setup. I've got a fabulous amount of roof space (and orientation) in the new digs, but I just haven't prioritized that kind of spending yet. It'll happen, just not sure when.
73
LH