Equalizing Batteries

[nknowland]

When you equalize the batteries, do you need to turn off a 12v refrigerator?

[btrayfors]

It's a very good idea to turn off ALL 12V equipment when you equalize the batteries, because -- if done correctly -- equalizing voltages reach 15.5 to 16.5 volts. This is enough to damage some equipment.

Since the process takes only a few hours, there should be no big strain in shutting off all 12V equipment for that time.

Bill

[CharlieJ]

Since the process takes only a few hours...

I usually agree totally with Bill, but on this point, not so much.

Equalizing batteries properly is a relatively long and detail oriented process. The batteries (FLA) are kept at the elevated voltage with a relatively low current flow and specific gravity (SG) readings are taken for each cell every half hour. These reading are then compared, and outliers are watched carefully to see how they settle out. The equalizing process is complete when two or three consecutive sets of SG readings show a change < 1 or 2 points.

You should not push the equalization button and spend the rest of the afternoon at the tiki bar! ;-)

Hope this helps.
Charlie

[btrayfors]

So where do we differ, Charlie? Nothing I said disagrees with your excellent points about watching the process closely!

Cheers,

Bill

[CSY Man]

You should not push the equalization button and spend the rest of the afternoon at the tiki bar! ;-)

Oops, been doing it worng for years..

[Mark Johnson]

Originally Posted by CharlieJ

I usually agree totally with Bill, but on this point, not so much.

Equalizing batteries properly is a relatively long and detail oriented process. The batteries (FLA) are kept at the elevated voltage with a relatively low current flow and specific gravity (SG) readings are taken for each cell every half hour. These reading are then compared, and outliers are watched carefully to see how they settle out. The equalizing process is complete when two or three consecutive sets of SG readings show a change < 1 or 2 points.

You should not push the equalization button and spend the rest of the afternoon at the tiki bar! ;-)

Hope this helps.
Charlie

Well said indeed... While incandescent lights would probably be OK, everything else might not. I would just shut off the DC out, and monitor closely as mentioned.

M.

[CharlieJ]

Bill-
Only with the "...only takes a few hours..." A good sized bank (600 to 1000 Ahrs) will generally take about 12 hours to truly complete.

Charlie

[nknowland]

thanks for all the help....esp. Charlie's comment about the fact that it takes more than a few hours to fully equalize batteries ... it definitely takes more like 12 so plan for it!