over voltage charge rate?

arby
arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
Hello, tried a search but didn't know what to type in, so here is my problem.
 My batteries ran down enough so that I had to start the generator. It charges the bank through my Xantrex SW5548.
 The bulk charge voltage is set at 58.8 but it was charging the batteries around 61.5 to 62 volts. Even when it dropped into float I suppose after the 2 hour absorb stage it was still 57.5, about 4 volts over the float setting.

 Any ideas or help appreciated.
TIA
 
3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.

Comments

  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    did you wait ~ 3 hrs after the charge was finished before taking that voltage reading? you need to wait, and have no loads on,  for a stable reading
     
    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
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    This was while the batteries were being charged.
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    arby said:
    Hello, tried a search but didn't know what to type in, so here is my problem.
     My batteries ran down enough so that I had to start the generator. It charges the bank through my Xantrex SW5548.
     The bulk charge voltage is set at 58.8 but it was charging the batteries around 61.5 to 62 volts. Even when it dropped into float I suppose after the 2 hour absorb stage it was still 57.5, about 4 volts over the float setting.

     Any ideas or help appreciated.
    TIA
     


    Hi arby,

    It is possible that your batteries are COLD,  and the CHARGE and Float voltages are being compensated by those amounts?

    Many Flooded batteries use a compensation of --5mV per degree C for temperatures that are different than 25 - 27 degrees C.   This compensation would change charge and Float voltages by --120 mV per degree C.    SO,  if y our batteries happen to be about 2 - 3 degrees C,  the Bulk voltage would probably be compensated to about this amount.

    If the Float voltage that you noted was also from the SW Inverter,  this is would represent more compensation,  but you did kind of imply that these voltage readings are a bit approximate.

    Also,  just where you are reading these voltages  would make a bit of a difference.

    What Is the Actual and Compensated battery voltage readings on the SW Meters?

    What make/model batteries are you using?

    Are  you using the Trace/Xantrex Remote Temperature Sensor (RTS) on the SW?

    More Later,  Thanks,   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #5
    This was up at the cottage this weekend, so I can't recall the exact voltages, but what I said was about right. I was getting the voltage readings from my MX60 mate inside the cottage, and my trimetric. I know I only have one temperature sensor hooked up, and I can't recall if it's for the CC, or the inverter. It was pretty cold, about -18C over night and -10C when the charger was running. I did feel the batteries and they were not warm. I'd say cool, but not cold.
     Using 120 mv times 35 degree C would give about 4.2 volts, which is what you said and that probably explains it. I don't understand how  we get from 5mV per degree C to 120 mV per degree C.
     The batteries are Surette S530's and are in an insulated box attached to my non heated shed.

     Thanks
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 2016 #6

    Hi arby,

    OK,  then what you were seeing was quite probably just customary Temperature Compensation.

    We get from --5mV  TO --120 mV per degree C because --5mV is PER CELL.   Each of the 24 cells in your 48 volt bank needs compensation,  because they all are in series.  SO,  24 cells,   times --5mV is --120mV per degree C for the entire 48 volt battery bank.

    This really is a huge amount of variation represented just by temperature compensation,  and is one of the reasons that when stating a voltage reading  that one measures,  it really needs to be supplied along with  the nominal battery temperature at which this reading was taken.

    AND,  given the cold Winter temperatures at your cabin,  you should strongly consider having one temperature sensor for every charge source,   IMO.

    Thanks,    Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    I think you are somewhere on the Shield...  temps in that range are going to have a marked impact on the adjusted voltages that your system will use, if the RTS is hooked up so the CC or charger can use it...That bank has a lot of thermal mass to heat, and it cools a lot more than it will heat at this time of the year....Were the temps , before you arrived much colder?
     do you have an IR temp gun?  That way you can get a goo estimation of each cell temp...
    I don't think you would be able to sense any warming with the hand, I know I didn't at our place with the old bank in similar setup...  most RTS's should be attached (taped) between 2 cells, about mid height with some styro insulation on the exposed surface
    note  some are made to attach to the batt. post

    hth, let us know what you find next visit
     
    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
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #8
    Just found this on the SW5548 manual---

    <<
    Allows selection of the battery type for the battery temperature compensation system. This effectively
    reduces the battery charging set points when the battery is hot and increases them when the battery is
    cold. The battery charging set points change
    ±
    0.005 volts per degree Celsius for the
    LEADACID
    setting
     These battery setpoint
    changes occur if the battery temperature is higher or lower than 25
    °
    C (77
    °
    F), and will only occur if the
    battery temperature sensor (
    BTS
    ) is installed. The setting should be changed from the default setting only
    if NiCad or Nickel Iron batteries are used>>

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using .005 volts times 35 degreeC gives me a .175 voltage difference.
     This is a far cry from 4.2 volts using  Vic's numbers of 120mV per degree C.

    Confused--
    Thanks, arby

    edit,, oops, just saw Vic's second post and now it becomes much clearer.  
    Doing it Vic's way, eg per cell gives me .175 X 24 = 4.2volts. Exactly the same.

    BTW, I looked in at a few cells and expected to see a fair amount of boiling at that voltage There was a bit of bubbling, but nothing to get excited about for sure.

     Sounds like the inverter is the one with the sensor on it and it is doing its job
     Thanks again guys.


    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • WaterWheel
    WaterWheel Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
    Great thread.      This is my 1st winter and had noticed that my batteries at 50 F were charging at a higher voltage.     Now I understand why.

    Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor

    21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount

    48v Rolls 6CS 27P

  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    foolami said:
    This is my 1st winter and had noticed that my batteries at 50 F were charging at a higher voltage.  
    You should also notice that when under discharge, the battery voltage is lower than in the summer.   The reason is higher internal resistance in a cold battery.  Actually, that's a bit of a simplification (everything about batteries is).  The cold also affects the diffusion rate of ions in the electrolyte... the voltage drop from a discharge occurs sooner, and the rebound takes longer.

    If you use a battery monitor, you may set the ah capacity of your batteries to a lower number in the winter.

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
  • arby
    arby Solar Expert Posts: 107 ✭✭
    Ordered a BTS for my CC. I had no idea that the temperature had such a large effect. Seems I thought a BTS was for heat and not cold and since it seldom gets above 25 C on the shield I thought it unnecessary.
    3310 watts panels, Classic 200 controller, 8 Surette S530's, Xantrex 5548 inverter, Honda EX5500 backup Genny.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    OK arby,   excellent.   This will be a very inexpensive improvement to your system.     Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • just starting
    just starting Registered Users Posts: 235 ✭✭✭
    My battery bank has been under the -c since October sometimes absorb is at 30.5 v lowest was -19c
    200ah LiFePO4 24v Electrodacus Sbms40 quad breaker chest freezer to fridge- Samlex PST 1524 - Samlex pst3024  - 1hp shallow well pump-Marey 4.3 GPM on demand waterheater - mama bear Fisher wood burning stove, 30" fridgarair oven ,fridegaire dishwasher  Unique 290l stainless D.C. Fridge-unique 120l portable fridge/freezer 
  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    arby said:
    I thought a BTS was for heat and not cold
    When the batteries are cold, without a BTS you may not get an adequate charge, but that is not a safety issue.

    When the batteries are hot, they draw more current and that makes them hotter which makes them draw more current which makes them hotter which makes them draw more current... it's called "thermal runaway" and it can be dangerous.  A BTS will lower the voltage when the batteries are hot and may help prevent thermal runaway.

    --vtmaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i