[RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

[Carl Hansen]

"Watermiser" caps work the same way as the Hydrocaps and the caps do not need to be removed for equalization, per the manufacturer's directions.

Carl
Hansen&Sun Elect.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: frenergy 
  To: RE-wrenches ; Allan at positiveenergysolar.com 
  Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 9:05 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering


  Maybe one way to express it would be hydrocaps are great if you use the the same charging parameters no matter what the age, condition of the battery is.  This seems to be critical to sizing the HCs properly.  And you (or the "always attentive and willing" customer) don't (doesn't) mind removing (and replacing) the hydrocaps for every equalization for the rest of eternity.  I wonder if part of this debate doesn't center on the frequency of equalizations. Many battery brands, systems require more frequent eqs than others. 

  Maybe you can tell I've gone back to regular caps after using HCs 


  Bill
  Feather River Solar Electric

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Bill Loesch 
    To: Allan at positiveenergysolar.com ; RE-wrenches 
    Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:17 AM
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering


    Another person's opinion...
    With all due respect, Allan, if you understand how the Hydrocap works (properly sized, removal when equalizing, as detailed in the instructions) and use distilled (or equivalent) water to top off the electrolyte much more infrequently than regularly, Hydrocaps provide a close second to a recombinant battery at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Moreover, they are reusable (unless you blow them up).

    I know of nothing, nothing that competes with the Hydrocap. The yellow flip caps provide a marginal convenience in terms of filling, however there is no comparison in performance. Have any Homepower articles ever reviewed either of these things back in the Dark Ages?

    The use of a suitable battery enclosure to contain the potential results of _any_ battery mishap should be defacto procedure.

    I will send George a copy of this thread and will post his reply, if he chooses to comment. I believe it was Windy who commented the biggest hassle of the Hydrocaps was dealing with George and evidently Joel can echo that experience.

    Bill Loesch
    Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar
    314 631 1094

    MO Licensed Professional Engineer
    Saint Louis County (MO) Licensed Water Heater Specialist

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Allan Sindelar 
      To: RE-wrenches 
      Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 4:01 PM
      Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering


      One person's opinion, here...
      Avoid Hydrocaps. You need to remove them to equalize. They can clog up and plug the battery up, leading to an explosion from pressure. I have seen it.


      <![endif]--> 
      Allan Sindelar
      Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
      NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
      EE98J Journeyman Electrician
      Positive Energy, Inc.
      3201 Calle Marie
      Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
      505 424-1112
      www.positiveenergysolar.com



      Windsun at wind-sun.com wrote: 
        Hydrocaps - they run around $30 each last I checked. We used to sell them but gave up when lead times went from weeks to months.

        ..................................................................................................
        Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
        Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
        ..................................................................................................
          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Andrew Truitt 
          To: RE-wrenches 
          Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 1:07 PM
          Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering



          Has anyone ever used the recombination caps that combine the released hydrogen with oxygen and return the pure water to the cells?  I am considering them for a large ([98] 2200Ah Surrettes) battery system that we installed a while ago, but I think they run about $200 a piece.  


          Andrew Truitt
          Standard Solar Inc.




          On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 1:33 PM, Joel Davidson <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

            Than you Roy, Jay, Jeff, and ...

            I'm glad I checked my email before going to Pep Boys to buy an automotive battery filler. Great idea! I've been buying and selling batteries for over 35 years and this is the first time I've heard about using a garden sprayer to fill batteries. The RE-Wrenches knowledge base scores again!

            Happy Holidays.
            Joel Davidson




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