steaming batteries [RE-wrenches]

[Greg Egan]

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All,

Just in case there's someone out there reading this list who's not up on 
battery safety, I'd be wearing eye protection, covering as much skin as 
possible, and have a large box of baking soda and plenty of water 
available while troubleshooting this one.

Greg

Kirk Herander, VSE wrote:
> Group,
> I got a service call from a customer. He has -12- 6 volt T105 batteries
> wired in 3 sets of 4 to obtain 24 volts @ 660 ahr total. The batteries are
> charged by a SW4024 and a Kohler 10RY (10 kw) generator. He told me one of
> the three strings needed water every day because they would immediately boil
> during battery charging.
> 
> When I arrived the generator was on, and the string in question was
> literally steaming, while the other two strings appeared to charge normally,
> with overall battery voltage at 28.8 volts. The fumes were overwhelming. I
> shut down the system and an hour later the batteries were still boiling and
> super hot. I was able to safely disconnect the string. I expected to find
> one or more shorted cells, but the 4 batteries all measured a normal voltage
> of 6.3 volts. I found no evidence of any type of short in the cabling. The
> inverter to battery cables were wired properly in an "opposite corner"
> config to create a uniform resistance. The battery bank is roughly 6 mos old
> and there were no problems until this. Any theories on the cause would be
> most appreciated.
> 
> Kirk
> 
> 
> Vermont Solar Engineering
> a Xantrex / Trace Certified Dealer Charter Member
> Kirk Herander
> PO Box 697
> Burlington, VT. 05402
> www.vermontsolar.com
> www.backeastsolar.com
> 800.286.1252 - 802.863.1202
> fax 802.863.7908
> 
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-- 
Alaska Renewable Energy
981 Gold Mine Trail Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
Phone: 907-457-4299; Fax: 907-457-4290; Email: gegan at renewalaska.com
URL:  http://www.renewalaska.com

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