FLA Starting Battery Equalization - general & simple guidelines?

[ErikFinn]

Hi all,

a lot has been written about equalizing deep cycle FLA batteries and Trojan for example gives good info regarding that, and I'm not looking for that info now.

But how about equalizing FLA starting batteries, i.e. the traditional batteries with thinner lead plates, found in many cars and boats also, used for the purpose of starting an engine or a generator?

I would presume it should be somewhat different from deep cycle battery equalizing, but how exactly?

Are there any generally accepted guidelines for the thin plated startting batteries? Especially when the manufacturer fails to provide such information? First guide should always be to follow the manufacturer's recommendation but how about when they fail to provide that and only say to "replace"?

I would guess the voltage should a bit lower than for the deep cycle batteries, and how about the duration? 6 hours or something considerably less? Is the time same wheather the bat was 50ah, 100ah, or 150ah? Any difference there?

Always good to measure specific gravities, but for now I'd be happy to know more about the Voltage and duration.

Thanks in advance

[Jim Cate]

Not an expert...

But it seems that most start batteries are never discharged very far at all, and then are quickly brought back to 100% by the running engine. In such service, sulphation is not a big problem, and so equalization may not be required. I know that I've never bothered with it on our boats, and the start batteries have lasted for many years.

Jim

[john61ct]

Would apply to flooded, Lifeline is the only AGM equalizes anymore.

The manufacturer should provide the protocol specific to their product.

And most people wouldn't bother, Starters are cheap and barely used compared to House.