Just how good are those used, sealed lead-acid batteries? [RE-wrenches]

[Windy Dankoff]

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Bob,

Jeff's advice is good, but I may have a way to simplify (!)

IF the batteries were all used in a pack, they have identical  
histories and should all be nearly equal in characteristics. If they  
are not, then that is a sure sign that the weaker ones are ready to  
drop out and they should not be trusted.

Therefore, I would charge and test them in series strings (no  
parallel). During periods when current is high (charge or discharge),  
measure voltage. If there are more than very slight discrepencies  
(after a full fiinish charge) you have some weak ones and I wouldn't  
trust the whole batch.

If you find enough inequalities to conclude that they aren't very  
good but you wish to use them anyway -- say for a temporary setup or  
a poverty-case customer, do not, repeat DO NOT parallel any strings.  
If any cells short in one set, it will cause the other cells in that  
string to overcharge continuously. I had this exact circumstance once  
and it blew out very foul, presumably toxic vapors from the cell  
vents. The customer's wife was so upset that I lost the customer. I  
thought I was doing them a favor by practically giving them a  
temporary battery to get them started.

And certainly have the batteries in a safely-vented environment.

Windy




> Thanks, Jeff.  Note, however, that, because these are sealed  
> batteries, I will be unable to measure SG.
>
> Bob Clark
> SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC
> bclark at solar-wind.us<mailto:bclark at solar-wind.us>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Jeff Clearwater<mailto:clrwater at earthlink.net>
>   To: RE-wrenches at topica.com<mailto:RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>   Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 8:59 PM
>   Subject: Re: Just how good are those used, sealed lead-acid  
> batteries? [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>
>   HI Bob,
>
>   Here's how you do it.
>
>   First understand lead acid chemistry thoroughly by reading "Battery
>   Book One" by Curtis instruments or some such book.
>
>   Then do the following procedure.
>
>   1) Set up a charging station for each battery separately (not in any
>   series and/or parallel arrangement).  ....................


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