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

[Bob Clark]

Thanks, Windy.

Will probably try your test method, as it seems to be a straight-forward, simple means of figuring things out.

One thing I think I neglected to mention in my original message is that these batteries have been wired 10 together in parallel for their entire life, which, in and of itself, makes me cautious about the potentially varying condition of each individual battery.

Bob Clark
SolarWind Energy Systems, LLC
bclark at solar-wind.us<mailto:bclark at solar-wind.us>
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Windy Dankoff<mailto:windydankoff at mac.com> 
  To: RE-wrenches at topica.com<mailto:RE-wrenches at topica.com> 
  Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 6:29 AM
  Subject: Re: Just how good are those used, sealed lead-acid batteries? [RE-wrenches]




  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<mailto:bclark at solar-wind.us%3Cmailto:bclark at solar-wind.us>>
  >   ----- Original Message -----
  >   From: Jeff Clearwater<mailto:clrwater at earthlink.net<mailto:clrwater at earthlink.net>>
  >   To: RE-wrenches at topica.com<mailto:RE-wrenches at topica.com<mailto:RE-wrenches at topica.com%3Cmailto: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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