Learning curve

Hey all! My battery just finished a bulk/absorbtion charge cycle, so I thought it would be a good time to check temps and SG. Here's what I got:
Temp on top in F. SG on bottom. 58°F ambient temperature.
Is this what I should expect to see?

Temp on top in F. SG on bottom. 58°F ambient temperature.
Is this what I should expect to see?
2 Schneider XW+ 6848 inverters
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
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2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
However, cells to differ and change SG limits over time. Doing EQ once a month, higher voltage charging until SG stop rising (and monitoring temperatures to ensure batteries do not overheat), then log the temperature corrected SG... That is your "new" 100% SoC.
EQ is hard on FLA batteries. You only want to do it when needed (SG differences, some mfg. suggest once a month, especially if "tall cased" cells).
-Bill
So, should I do a forced equalization charge on it? I'm thinking I should wait til I have the temp sensor to do that though. I don't know. Suggestions?
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
If you are not deeply cycling the battery bank at the moment, say down to (typically) 75% SoC (and not going to 40% SoC), everything should work OK--And exercising the bank and EQing after 30 Days of Service and see what you in SG at that time (with full EQ), it should not hurt anything.
Given that you have added a bunch of water, and this is a new (to you) installation, running an EQ to mix the water and electrolyte, and getting your first SG readings for your logs and verifying the battery is in good condition, would not be a bad idea.
-Bill
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
The low cell is likely fine, just a bit of dilution not mixed in from watering, but IMHO it's important to establish a good baseline reading on a new bank. It probably won't take a heck of a lot of EQing to get the baseline reading.
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
Few basic questions.
How often should I take SG and temp readings?
How often should I be adding water?
What should I be doing besides that?
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
I check water at the same interval as SG. If low, I might add a bit of water to be sure plates stay covered during the EQ, but as the acid can expand a bit I don't fill too full. On my L16s, about 1/4" from full (bottom of the fill tube) seems to work well.
Aside from that, just keeping things clean and getting to know your bank's "personality". Over time, if you watch things, you get to know what normal is for it with your specific usage.
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
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
Regarding the auto watering... You might want to turn it off and only autowater once a month or something like that (i.e., when doing monthly SG checks and EQ, ... SG first and make sure all plates are covered, do not fill now, EQ with SG check every 30-60 minutes until SG rise stops, then top off water. You do not want to fill to brim, then EQ (gassing and heat, electrolyte may spill out of cell(s).
Auto watering is nice, but I fear over filling and a stuck valve that overflows a cell (uncontrolled filling). Running auto water only when you are there (or at least do this for awhile until you trust that all is good)--Would be my suggestion.
As the battery cycles, SG levels will change, and can even rise over a few months of use/EQ cycles. Normally, you are trying for >90% SoC at least once per week. You are not trying for 100% (basically light EQ) every day--That is hard on the FLA batteries.
-Bill
-Jason
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
I'm sort of tempted by watering systems, but I do like to see if any cells are using more water than others. I guess I could still check with a system, but hand watering kinda makes me notice.
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
Ideally, you want to check the SG and water levels before your fill (and EQ).
When you see something "out of balance", then that is an indication to check further.
-Bill
Thanks Bill, I believe I'll just start eyeballing the water levels weekly for a few weeks while checking the SG and temps. That should give me some idea of which cells are using water before I water the whole bank simultaneously.
-Jason
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
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40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
I didn't make it. got up too late, cause GoT.....LOL
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/battery-maintenance/
-Bill
If I am using less than 15% of my battery daily, how often should I be equalizing? Am I really using that little or am I fooling myself?
-Jason
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
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Mike, thanks. I'm with ya on the couple months of watching it. I'm trying to build up a data base now. It's a steep learning curve.
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
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
Last night, after 2 EQ cycles, A2 and B3 managed 1.29 SG. They were 1.29 after both the first and second EQ cycle so I stopped. Am I doing this wrong?
2 Schneider MPPT 80 600 Charge Controllers
Combox
40 335w Canadian Solar panels, 13.4kW array on an Iron Ridge racking system
1 big ass 24-85-27 refurbished forklift battery w/1430AH
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