Batteries not using water, etc
I've had these batteries for a little less than a year and until recently it's been pretty sunny, not using much of the 800 ah. I've watered them ONCE. Also seems the EQ set point voltage is reached more quickly and takes less amps to keep it there than with my last set of Rolls batteries. Also they don't seem to heat up much under EQ. Haven't done SG's lately. My knowledge is still spotty; someone suggested I do a load test on each battery, I used a 1300 watt heater and tested each battery and did not notice a drop. Is that enough watts to have a significant reading?
Thanks
Thanks
Off-grid 48v, 3 kw PV, Sunny Island 5048U, SunnyBoy, US Battery RE L16XC 6v, 800ah, Genset: Kohler 8.5 RES propane.
Comments
KID #51B 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
The low water use can also be a result of your not cycling the battery along with westbranch comments. Use them or lose them.
Get a 1500 watt heater and run them down 50% several times a year. If you are using the US battery specs for your settings you should be fine. They are good batteries but only as good as you are with them!
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Charging specs -
We have an interesting system: the Sunny Island (SI) goes into charge mode (they call it "boost") when the soc gets down to 70% or every three days. Currently that is set for 2 hrs absorb at 2.52 vpc. The battery spec says charge at 2.45v (+/- 0.05) for 2-3 hrs.
When I do an EQ I like to set it at 2.62v (that's the highest setting on the SI) for 8 hrs.
I did not do a commissioning charge - I suppose it's too late for that, and I don't know what that is.
I'm at a bit of a loss as the previous batteries were being managed by someone else, then I took over and basically winged it in getting another 4 or so years out of them. Those old Rolls got hot and took all available amps to to keep them at 2.62vpc. With these new batts I watch the amps taper off....makes me wonder if somethings wrong.
I do full SG as a long weekend thing so I remember. That way it's usually about every couple of months. I charge to full, check SG, check water, then EQ if needed. Not sure how much more a load test will tell you than regular SG checks.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
good to know about the water...
could you tell me what your charging specs are for your system and how you got there?
"They will not heat up much on Palau unless you are measuring the temperature."
Not sure what you mean by that.
I assume you have 2 strings to get 800Ahr, so you need an END AMPS setting of 8A(1%).
the above specs say
and
Absorption charge time is determined by the battery but will usually be ~3 hours at 2.45 volts per cell.
these instructions say that you would do a 2 stage ABSORB first down to 24A, and HOLD 24 A for another 2 - 3 hrs... In would try an Absorb set to 16A and watch to see just how long it takes to get to 24A and add that time to the 3 hrs as above ... so in reality it looks like you could be in ABSORB for 5 to 6? hrs ... You may have to contact Sunny for their advice as well as US battery as the SI seems to have a different protocol than most solar Charge controllers...
KID #51B 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
Palau is in the tropics and batteries do not get noticably warmer unless you have the numbers from your temp sensor. You are not going to feel it with your hands unless something is wrong. Not sure why you did before??
How much energy are you using in amp hours daily?
My Uncle was near you on Pelieu during the war. He was very lucky!
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
E-mail [email protected]
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter