[RE-wrenches] Charging AGM Batteries

[Hugh]

It seems to me that you really need to have a controller that 
monitors the state of charge in order to do a good job of recharging 
sealed batteries.  If they are low then you can push the voltage up 
but if they are in an intermediate indeterminate state as with most 
small renewable energy systems then you don't know what to do. 
Playing safe can mean that the battery does not get a proper charge 
(I am told).

>The chargers typically found in our industry deliver the same "bulk" 
>charge amperage from initiation of the recharge all the way to when 
>the absorption voltage is reached. So...if you set that for a high 
>value the same high rate would be present not only when the battery 
>is highly depleted but also when the battery is approaching 80% 
>state of charge. That seems scary to me.


-- 
Hugh Piggott

Scoraig Wind Electric
Scotland
http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk