Plea for "Edge-O-Cation" [RE-wrenches]

[Bob Ellison, Alternative Energy Systems]

"The only way, in fact, to read good with a hydrometer is to run the
batteries through an "equalize" cycle." Could you have a bad hydrometer?

I have seen plastic ones reading off by 50 points and when you get the
batteries hot enough it will read almost full. Drove me damned near nuts
till I realized what was really happening.

As simple as this sounds what is the metering telling you, "voltage wise" as
the charging curve happens? Is it going up and hitting the bulk limit?

Just  some quick thoughts, got to go,
Bob

RE. Ellison
Supplier of;
Diesel Generators &
Alternative Energy Systems & Supplies
34642 Countryman Road
Theresa, NY. USA
                              13691-2076



-----Original Message-----
From:	Baran Galocy [mailto:livewire at c-zone.net]
Sent:	Friday, March 30, 2001 1:08 AM
To:	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject:	Plea for "Edge-O-Cation"  [RE-wrenches]
Importance:	High

This is a Plea for "Edge-O-Cation" (edge-o-caution?) on an existing set-up
that has been nothing but trouble for both the owner and myself, the father
of the bastard child of an alternative energy system that I have the dubious
distinction of designing .

The appearances: The generator starts, the inverter (a DR2424) flips into
its "charge" mode, and the batteries begin to take from 50 to 60 Amps at 24
VDC as evidenced by both a Tri-Metric and Fluke 36 True RMS.
Now the fun begins. The batteries begin to quickly drop their charging
capacity over the first hour or so until they are receiving one or less
amps! Needless to say, the voltage can not possibly get high enough to fill
the batteries, and the GenMate runs the generator as it has been instructed
The only way, in fact, to read good with a hydrometer is to run the
batteries through an "equalize" cycle. If this is not done, the batteries
don't charge. The batteries arrived new two months ago, stratified, and were
revived after several "equalization" cycles. While I may not have a great
deal of faith in the GenMate, it can not keep the batteries from charging.
The Onan 6500 runs the pumps when a cycle begins, and feeds into a T240 (240
to 120 VAC) balancing transformer before going into the DR2424. The eight
L-16 HC's are grouped into two 24 VDC banks, each one receiving half of the
indicated charge current. The system works mathematically, in the sense of
current conversion from the batteries to the house, plus or minus
efficiencies. IOW, 10 Amps @ 120 VAC via the Fluke RMS meter looks close
to -50 Amps @ 24 VDC on the Tri-Metric.
The question: What's happening?!? Why do "new" batteries only charge to full
(re: hydrometer) when they are equalized. All settings on the DR are as they
should be. Any insight will be appreciated.
Namaste, Baran Galocy DBA HelioElectric
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For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

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