C/5 - C/30 ? [RE-wrenches]
Drake Chamberlin
Drake.Chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
Thu Oct 5 06:53:16 PDT 2006
Hi Bob-O,
Thanks for the information. So I can safely charge L-16 and T-105 batteries at lower rates (say C;/30) as was recommended in the past? The need for super fast charges is limited to Surrette and other heavy, industrial batteries?
Drake
----------------------------------------
From: "Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection" <econnect at snowcrest.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 7:33 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: C/5 - C/30 ? [RE-wrenches]
Drake,
I don't think it hurts to charge T105 or L16 types at a C/5 rate IF
they are heavily discharged. However, you must reduce that rate once
they get much over 50-60% SOC again. In fact, you are unlikely to hit
a 100% SOC with that rate regardless. Think about filling a 5 gallon
bucket with a high volume, high pressure hose. You can never get it
full unless you reduce the flow.
As to equalizing very often, I used to be a big fan of that as it was
easy for me to do 6-8 months out of the year with hydro. My attitude
was that I'll take an EQ charge whenever I can get it. After living
with many sets of L16s over the years, I've changed my tune on that.
My regime of regulating at a higher voltage seemed to wear out a set
of batts just as fast as habitually undercharging them. I've come to
realize that thinking was a holdover form the old days of slam-bang
regulation. Since the advent of PWM, it just isn't necessary and
perhaps even harmful. Live and learn. How often one EQs depends more
on how the batts are charged and discharged. If you are cycling
fairly deeply- say 50%- on a regular basis, then I think fairly often
EQs are a good thing. If you are getting the batts full pretty much
every day with your RE sources and not discharging more than 15-20%,
It is far less necessary and can be done a couple of times a year.
Just my opinion. Bet if you get 10 Wrenches in a room talking about
this you'll get 12 opinions.
Cheers, bob-O
On Oct 4, 2006, at 5:57 AM, Drake Chamberlin wrote:
>
>
> Should we be charging L-16s and golf cart batteries at higher rates
> than previously recommended. The owner of a photovoltaic house I
> used to live in ramped his L-16 bank up to 30 volts each night.
> The bank was old and stiff, but he seemed to get good results. The
> bank was being charged at around C/9.
>
> So the question is, "does the fast charge rate apply only to heavy
> duty industrial batteries, or does it also apply L-16s and
> T-105s?" Also, should we bring the batteries to equalize level
> voltages for short times, on a weekly basis?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drake
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