6vdc Trojan T105 (225ah) Equalization

[rgleason]

Bruce wrote:

For the 1st paragraph, I think you forgot to remind him to connect in series again before doing the 15.5V equalization?

Good point, for complete clarity. I believe I understood.

John,
I am going to go ahead and purchase the Unitrend UT203 which shows DC current Range 40 A / 400 A now. The variable 30v 10a power supply comes June 7-11.

I guess this has become a hobby, and a challenge to do it properly.
A friend just advised that it is not worth equalizing when a cell is weak, because the batteries don't last that much longer and will quickly affect the other cells and batteries, that it is best to get new batteries rather than mess with the cost of bad batteries. - Can anyone confirm this? I hope these can be recovered and that they will last awhile with proper care.

I also recently saw an entire trailer loaded with large batteries for recycling. I wonder how many could have been revived.

[john61ct]

See my post #22

[rgleason]

john61ct


I enjoyed and bookmarked your posts #4 and #2 in the Next Gen Alternator Regulator

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2535685

Couldn't help myself, I also had to bookmark the opensource project you linked.


PS: Yes, I guess my friend is probably right about the battery. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2643941

[john61ct]

Thanks, but no need to tell me, I'm live tracking all those bookmarking my content 8-)

[wsmurdoch]

Originally Posted by rgleason

I also recently saw an entire trailer loaded with large batteries for recycling. I wonder how many could have been revived.

I take my used oil to Advance Auto to be recycled. The used oil tank is in the back near their loading dock. Alongside are two pallets of used batteries that they have taken-in in exchange. One is destined for the recycler. The other is available for resale. They sell used batteries just like some places sell used tires. Based on the sizes of the stacks, I'd say they keep about a third for resale.

I use Sams Club batteries (group 31 flooded lead acid) in my Pacific Seacraft 34 house bank, and replace them every three years regardless of their condition. At home I will charge them, top off the water, and equalize them. I check the specific gravity in each cell. If I find a still low cell, that battery goes. I then discharge the batteries with a 20A load (light bulbs) to get some idea of their remaining capacity. Lastly, I again measure the discharged specific gravity of each cell, and if I find a low cell, that battery goes. Any batteries that remain go in my motorboat or Tanzer 22 as replacements. I have done this over the 14 years I have owned the PSC 34, and I guess I usually trash one of the three three-year-old batteries that I test.

We live on the boat 5 or six months out of the year, almost always at anchor, so my batteries get a workout.

Bill
Irish Eyes to the Bahamas

[rgleason]

That's a simple plan Bill, I've got to get more dispassionate about my batteries, however I am going to follow the equalization through when I get the equipment. The batteries do seem to maintain a charge so there is no short.


BTW these are Trogan T105, so they are higher than normal and the long dimension should be fore and aft (as per Trojan instructions) unlike some other formats.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by OceanPlanet

For the 1st paragraph, I think you forgot to remind him to connect in series again before doing the 15.5V equalization?

Oops I did forget...... He can do that or simply turn the voltage up to 7.75V - 8.1V with the 6V batts still in parallel. With only a 10A power supply he'd probably be best to simply EQ one at a time though....

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by rgleason

BTW these are Trogan T105, so they are higher than normal and the long dimension should be fore and aft (as per Trojan instructions) unlike some other formats.

Not on sail boats.... Long dimension is port to starboard or positive port negative starboard or vice-versa... If you run them fore to aft (long dimension) the plates will definitely uncover during sailing...

[rgleason]

I am redfaced. I was taking too much battery electrolite into the hydrometer, thus pressing the bulb down to skew the reading!
Now doing it properly all cells read in the middle of Fair at 1250. Adjusting for it being 68 degrees instead of 80 degrees I think I subtract 4?

Also both batteries have the same 6.6 voltage and the pack has 13.2v after being charged overnight by the Guest 3 step.

This is good news. I guess I should just equalize them properly now.

I am sorry to have misread the cell specific gravity, but I learned a lot about equalizing so far.

I am wondering if for the next set of batteries if I should get something else. I had ( 2 )12v agm which accept at a higher rate. The ars-5 program could be changed.
I would also like to get 80watts of solar, instead of 14w.
The problem here is I have a genasun 10a pb version.
These changes might help with or small ozifridge eutectic refrigeration system.

[rgleason]

Mainesail, I have to check the trojan website, but these specific batts require a different orientation than the others, I believe.

[john61ct]

AGM will cost you more, not last as long, trickier to care for, can't use your hydrometer. . .

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Mainesail, I have to check the trojan website, but these specific batts require a different orientation than the others, I believe.

I have installed hundreds of T105's as well as other GC2 batteries.. On a boat long orientation is port to starboard not fore and aft...

[rgleason]

Yes, you are correct. I could not find the detail I read in the user manual, but realized that the short dimension that must be port to starboard is the width of the battery cell, NOT the smaller width dimension of the entire case. They are 90 degrees opposed. So my existing FG case can only hold these T105 in exactly the wrong position.

I believe it was last year we lost perhaps 1/2-1/3 cup out of both batteries in really bad weather healed over sailing. Perhaps this accounts for the low reading of "fair"?

Is there a "snorkle" cap that permits the battery to vent but would allow me to lead a 1/2" vent hose to each of the cells?
Perhaps it would also allow me to add distilled water as well?

Also can some acid be added to make up.for the loss, after I equalize of course?

Sorry but one thing leads to another. Either I've got to stop healing over so much or add snorkles or change to AGM which are more expensive.
I believe Trogan makes an agm the same dim as T105, I think it is T22. Should I consider something else?

[rgleason]

That is 1/2 -1/3 combined from both batteries. I noticed it in the fall when I removed the batteries. There could have been some evap. or it could have been condensarion. The batteries need water but not that much

[john61ct]

Best to start a new thread for separate topics.

Better yet, search a bit before asking, all your recent questions have been answered dozens if not hundreds of times already.