curious about product: BattEQ

lamplight
lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
came across this on HP homepage.

http://www.abrahamsolar.com/solar-power-topfloor.htm

sample pricing on another place
http://www.staabbattery.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=staab&Category_Code=ms-sm

this seems like a good idea, wondering if anyone has experience? Im not so sure how I'd feel about stopping EQ charges but for its claimed ability to balance a load equally i can definitely see how that could help battery health. just curious what the more technical people think?

unfortunately it looks to be priced by amps so it could be costly, it's not really clear to me what i'd need for my 6 6vbatteries in a 12v bank.
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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    I'm using the PowerCheq modules on my 24 V battery bank. Thy appear to work quite well. You can read more about the why's and how's in this discussion over on the OutBack forum: http://www.outbackpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1750&highlight=powercheq

    HTH,
    Jim / crewzer
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    Hi thanks,

    thats somewhat informative (in that , yes it appears to work based on yours and others' info). So now ive learned about powercheck which looks good to:
    http://www.powerdesigners.com/powercheq_specs.htm#

    i'm not sure how many i'd need though. I have 3 pairs of series'd 6v in a parallel string for 12v. I have the + from controller come in at one pairs + and the - at the far end's -. would i need 1 for each series pair? they spec out N-1 is needed where N is the # of batts in the series strings.. not sure i understand that as i dont really have long "strings" but just pairs. I would think the series pair in the middle would be the getting the short end of the charge in my particular setup.

    and also I'm wondering about its max 2A capacity, that just doesnt sound like enough when im pumping 20-30a into the bank at times (for charging anyhow). you have a similar sized bank, is your experience that its still handling it?

    thanks!
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    ah... also i noted that the batteq uses 28wh over 24 hours. any idea power usage of the one you have? im still trying to find pricing comparisons too.
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    now this is interesting
    http://www.powercharge.dk/default.asp?lang=en
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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    Matt,

    I don't know what the PowerCheq's "tare" loss is. I have to admit that I haven't worried about it.

    The module's job is to balance battery voltage. Acordingly, it shuttles some of the charge current around a "high" voltage battery, but not all of it. My two modules have had no problem handling my bank's four 12 V x 200 Ah batteries.

    If you're looking to voltage balance your battery bank, you'll need three of the 6 V modules, one for each series pair of batteries.

    Here's a link to what I believe is the exclusive distributor for these li'l dood-dads: http://www.evsource.com/tls_powercheq.php

    HTH,
    Jim / crewzer
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    thanks! this is an interesting idea i think ill try them soon.

    did the 3 wires and ring terminals come with each unit as pictured or no?

    also, you really have stopped eq charging or are just using it for better maintained battery health? that would be cool as i have a hard time getting amps required for eq in winter (see picture in avatar for the reason ;) )
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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    Matt,

    The PowerCheq modules arrived configured as pictured. I seem to recall they now include 3 A fuses instead of the original 2 A variety.

    I no longer equalize my battery bank because I now have AGM batteries that do not require traditional equalization. My purpose in using the PowerCheq's is to make sure the series batteries see the right charge voltage, rather than one "hi" and one "lo".

    Your flooded-cell battery bank will still need occasional equalization (~15.5 V) as a apart of its overall maintenace protocol.

    HTH,
    Jim / crewzer
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    thanks so much Jim
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  • lamplight
    lamplight Solar Expert Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #10
    Re: curious about product: BattEQ

    powercharge emailed me back: their chargers can be programmed for 12 or 24v but unfortunately do not sell in the US
    :(

    http://www.powercharge.dk/
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