Trojan IND17 Industrial Cell Issue

louismax

Hello everyone, First post in a while:

I have a 48V Trojan Industrial Bank (IND17-6v x 8 batteries) on a 10,000 watt LG Array -  Outback Radian 7048 hybrid system , has been in use for the last 4 years. No issues.

It appears that one of the HYDROLINK auto-watering valves got stuck approx 3 months ago and was not adding water to 1 cell. (#1 on battery #1) .....Last time visually checked all cells was in Feb. (that will teach me to rely on the auto watering system) 

The water was about 2 liters low, Id say about 80% full of water in these giant batteries, cell appears slightly / partially exposed SG is reading very low... All other 23 cells are GOOD SG 1.280 +/- 

My question for the experienced ones, what should be done to attempt a restore, I have refilled the battery with Distilled and started a EQ charge for 3 hours, but now thinking that maybe EQ is not a good idea?

Looking for some advice here. 

Thank you!!!!!!

louismax

30 minutes into EQ at 63V the cell in question is now SG 1.175, came up fast. Will keep monitoring. 

mike95490

can you post a pic of what the battery watering cap looks like ?   Wondering if they may be one mfg selling as many different brands.  I had one stick and flood a cell.  Caught it before overflow, but still - what a pain

BB.

Watch the temperature on the cell and the rest of the bank.... You might have to stop the EQ and restart the next day.

In general, a battery with exposed plates (low water/electrolyte levels) is thought to be very bad news. And, you might have some cash saved to replace that one cell if your recovery process fails.

Do you have the ability to charge that one 6 volt battery at 5% to 2.5% rate of charge? The amount of "overcharging" of the rest of the batteries in the 48 volt battery bank does put them at risk too (running hot, over EQing, plate erosion, positive grid corrosion).

If you can limit your charging to just that one 6 volt battery, it will probably lengthen the life of the rest of your bank (of course the EQing is still hard on the other two cells in that battery).

And very sorry to hear that your auto-watering system missed that one cell. That hurt$.

-Bill

louismax

mike95490 said:

can you post a pic of what the battery watering cap looks like ?   Wondering if they may be one mfg selling as many different brands.  I had one stick and flood a cell.  Caught it before overflow, but still - what a pain

Mike here is a pic of the watering system/cap. "Flow-Rite"

louismax

BB. said:

Watch the temperature on the cell and the rest of the bank.... You might have to stop the EQ and restart the next day.

In general, a battery with exposed plates (low water/electrolyte levels) is thought to be very bad news. And, you might have some cash saved to replace that one cell if your recovery process fails.

Do you have the ability to charge that one 6 volt battery at 5% to 2.5% rate of charge? The amount of "overcharging" of the rest of the batteries in the 48 volt battery bank does put them at risk too (running hot, over EQing, plate erosion, positive grid corrosion).

If you can limit your charging to just that one 6 volt battery, it will probably lengthen the life of the rest of your bank (of course the EQing is still hard on the other two cells in that battery).

And very sorry to hear that your auto-watering system missed that one cell. That hurt$.

-Bill

Good Catch Bill, I went out to check the temp and noticed this error "Batt Too Hot" the charge controllers automatically shut down, finally put to good use the temp sensor.  I shut down the entire system and will let the batteries cool down for a few hours. The EQ process completed 3 Hours, everything seems OK. 

Just tested SG is almost perfect on the #1 cell in question, will keep an eye on it, These batteries are supposed to be built for abuse so perhaps that cell might survive. 

In regards to your other question - I do not have the ability to charge @ 6v. 

Thanks for the input here, appreciated. 

MrM1

How hot was "Too Hot"?

louismax

At the end of the EQ temp sensor recorded 52C which is about 125F.  Looks like CC's shut down at 50C.

Normal operations are about 85F-95F.

We are in a tropical climate so, its usually about 5F over the ambient temp. Just finished a full absorb cycle they are 102F, outside temp is about 96F today. 

I have attached a backup sensor to the battery and right on the cell in question for some additional monitoring. It looks to be in line with the other sensor.

louismax

A little update - things seem to be normalized temps are holding around 33-36c @ 10am full charge.