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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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water in batteries way low?
On my last trip in Feb, I made sure the 4 6v golf cart batteries (Sam's Club) that comprise my battery bank were full. About 2-3 years old. I leave
them connected to the charger when I'm gone. 400 watts of panels.
When I return last week, it took 2 gallons of water to fill all the cells - all of them were dry as far as I could see into the cells. However, they
seemed to work just fine, never going below 80-85% in the morning.
I only run a few lights and a couple of pots of coffee so the demand is very low. Just curious if I've cooked them.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
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Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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if they work they work...
I put 7 gallons in my bank this month...batteries use water
the more water that can fit in the cells make a better battery...
with only 4-6v you should have a low replacement cost if you ever lose one
remember voltage is ONLY an indicator of the condition of the battery
only use that as a guide
and wait till they are full to check cells...otherwise you'll worry too much
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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welcome to sulfation. start budgeting for new batteries.
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Bajajorge
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Yep, you're well on your way to new batteries.
For future reference you should have your batteries checked by someone at least every other month in your absence.
Why do Liberals insist and demand that achievers pay the way for nonachievers who are to lazy to succeed, or are just failures by their own choice?
Criminals prefer unarmed victims, dictators prefer unarmed subjects.
Why do ignorant people continue their blabbering when it only proves to others how stupid they are.
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ncampion
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You probably damaged the batteries and they will have decreased capacity ultimately leading to failure. If you are going to leave the system
unattended for that length of time I would suggest going to AGM batteries which don't required water (generally). I also agree that you might check
the float voltage setting.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-5-2003
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my neighbor's batteries went dry. He purchased a yellow liquid called "new battery" (or something like that) at the auto parts store in Vizcaino and
those batteries are going strong 2 years later. Don't know what it is.
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larryC
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Jim
I agree with ncampion for the most part, except I wouldn't lower my float voltage too much. Water consumption happens during the bulk and absorb
cycles, not so much during the float cycle because that cycle is usually pretty low amps and lower voltage. I would keep an eye on the system voltage,
especially after a pot of coffee or 2. Coffee makers are a pretty large draw. If voltage doesn't drop too much then you probably got lucky and didn't
damage your batteries too much. If voltage drops too much then you are probably going to need batteries in the not too distant future. I also
recommend AGM batteries in systems that are not looked at on a regular basis. But along with the AGM batteries you should have a good charge
controller that has a battery temp sensor and has the capability to set the absorb and bulk voltages set into it. You need this capability because AGM
batteries are sensitive to over charging so a good charge controller is a must. Flooded lead acid batteries are much more forgiving to being
overcharged. They just loose water faster if they are over charged, but if you are not there to replace it then that becomes a problem.
Hope this helps
Larry
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Good info; my charger is a Xantrex and does have battery temp sensor but I have not hooked it up.
By the way, each trip I also rotate the batteries so that they are in a different position; does this have any value?
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bajabuddha
Banned
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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A couple more questions; i'm told to only use distilled water to refill (if battery acid is unavailable), and also once refilled and put back on a
charge, if one cell 'bubbles' while charging, that pretty much is it for that battery. Ideas?
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
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keep the charge up...they will de-sulfate
the factory settings on a charge controller is ALWAYS low
to protect the manufacturer...
know YOUR correct numbers and reset it
all batteries "boil"...the cell is dead if it doesn't
check the batteries once a month...no more...
fill only with distilled water ...never new acid
forget the "temp sensor" that is just "bs stuff" for the sale of equipment
I think rotation is a good idea but cleaning the terminals is what you want to do
BIG cables is the key to happy batteries
car battery cables are too thin
coffee makers lower the battery voltage when run a long time but that doesn't hurt a good battery...a full battery can measure low voltage when
burning a lot of energy
if the coffee maker stays on too long and the voltage drops the inverter shuts off
the lower the battery voltage the harder the inverter need to work
the more "load" on the system the lower the 120v is it can drop to 106v and burn up your electrical appliances in the house
best thing you can do is "just don't worry"
if the batteries fail...they fail
and they will...all batteries fail in time
again if they work they work...don't loose sleep over it
look outside and enjoy the view
deal with a problem later
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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using a hygrometer to check individual cells is a good way of checking the condition of your battery.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Just to be clear, as soon as the coffee is brewed I turn it off and keep the coffee in an insulated carafe.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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I don't agree with forgetting about the temp sensor. Heat kills batteries, the temp sensor will prevent your batteries from overcharging in hot
weather.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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akshadow
Nomad
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if multiple panels
IF multiple panels you might try disconnecting some of them when you are going to be gone so long. There are also special battery caps that are
supposed to reduce the need to water batteries.
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by akshadow
IF multiple panels you might try disconnecting some of them when you are going to be gone so long. There are also special battery caps that are
supposed to reduce the need to water batteries. |
If the controller is working...he could have 50 panels and it would not matter
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
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hydrometers are great to check the condition but remember if the voltage is down the cells are down...
the big "turkey bayster" ones are too big...a small 4 ball type ($5) from a local auto parts store is just fine...
controllers control the charge...if no current is needed it turns off
actually when its hot batteries need MORE charge...
as wires get hot they need MORE voltage
the water savers are horrible...they save water but they screw up the top of the batteries...and make a static charge along the top of the batteries
most people will remove them and reinstall the regular caps
...they just don't work correctly
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
hydrometers are great to check the condition but remember if the voltage is down the cells are down...
the big "turkey bayster" ones are too big...a small 4 ball type ($5) from a local auto parts store is just fine...
controllers control the charge...if no current is needed it turns off
actually when its hot batteries need MORE charge...
as wires get hot they need MORE voltage
the water savers are horrible...they save water but they screw up the top of the batteries...and make a static charge along the top of the batteries
most people will remove them and reinstall the regular caps
...they just don't work correctly |
"actually when its hot batteries need MORE charge...
as wires get hot they need MORE voltage"
bob are you high on drugs
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
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2-3 years is probably time to replace anyway. Unless you don't mind a trip with bad batteries. I would swap them and enjoy your vacation.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
actually when its hot batteries need MORE charge...
as wires get hot they need MORE voltage
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Not true, colder batteries require more voltage to fully charge them.
http://solarprofessional.com/articles/design-installation/un...
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Location: Sonora
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To paraphrase the old Manny Ramirez saying..........it's just Bob being Bob. 
Temp sensors are bogus?
Hot batteries need more juice?
All controllers float at the correct voltage?
Egad!!! He's the Cosmo Kramer of the Nomads board.
What's your longest time away, Santiago?
There is no doubt that a high ambient temperature will reduce the life of most any battery, especially a conv. lead/acid battery. Probably the heat
and possibly a high float voltage is draining those batts of liquid. If your controller senses sulfation and has a de-sulfation cycle, there goes more
liquid.
If you're floating more than 13.4, see about reducing the float voltage.
Only measuring your specific gravity will tell you if there are cells that are toast.
I'd go AGM, if you have to replace them. Assuming you are there in six months and arent powering anything significant, just top them off and don't
float them. Disconnect and let them sit. Many AGM mfgrs recommend this. They only lose about 1-2% per month.
I bought a "cheap" Chinese AGM at Batteries Plus about three years ago. I topped it off with a good bulk, absorption, float cycle (at 13.2) before I
left and when I returned, it read 12.85. And it had certainly sat in some 95-100 degree temps. It was off the charger almost three months.
Oh yeah, and you can bone the Giants. NFD (no plucking dynasties!!).
Go Royals!!!!
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