[RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

Windsun@wind-sun.com windsun at wind-sun.com
Mon Dec 14 08:51:17 PST 2009


We gave up on Hydrocaps after selling them for over 25years. Prepaid an order in Jan, and 5 months later still no product. They don't even have an email, much less a website. 

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Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joel Davidson 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering


  You can get Hydrocaps direct from Hydrocap Corp., 975 N.W. 95 Street, Miami, FL 33150, Tel 305-696-2504. I gave up trying to buy them after they returned my check twice. They wanted more info about charge rates and battery dimensions even though I filled out their order form and talked to them twice. I think they were concerned because the Hydrocaps from the old set of the same IBE cells did not fit on the new cells even though they were the same model IBE cells. Instead, I'm getting a garden sprayer and will check and fill the cells as needed. I'll check the cells every 2 months in the first year and then determine the inspection frequency. The batteries are on a Sunny Boy/Island grid-tie PV system so inspection will probably be 2 to 4 times per year after the first year.

  Joel Davidson
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Allan Sindelar 
    To: RE-wrenches 
    Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 2:01 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


          ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Butler" <roy at four-winds-energy.com> 

          To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

          Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 5:50 AM 

          Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering



          Joel,

          I was waiting to see if others use my method but I didn't see anyone
          post it.
          I've been off grid and having to maintain my batteries since 1997. I grew to
          hate the battery watering jugs for several reasons and finally came up with
          something that works for me.....your results may vary!

          I now use a pump up type garden sprayer. I use a 1.5 gallon version with a
          plastic wand, spray tip removed. I pump it up 6-8 times and that pressure
          allows me to fill 3 to 4 cells, depending on the volume of water needed.

          What I like about this is that the wand reaches anywhere in the bank and
          most important, I can watch the cells fill. I put a piece of electrical
          tape around
          the wand and insert the wand into the cell to the tape level. This is my
          water
          level and it's really easy to tell when the electrolyte reaches the end
          of the wand.

          About 1/2 of my customers are off grid and most use the sprayer method with
          good results.

          BTW, this was a brand new sprayer, dedicated to distilled water and hidden
          away from my wife, who loves to grab what ever is available in my shop.
          And at
          least here in snow country, the sprayers are all on sale!

          Roy Butler
          NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®
          NYSERDA eligible PV & wind installer
          PA Sunshine Program Approved PV Installer
          Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC
          8902 Route 46
          Arkport, NY 14807
          607-324-9747

          www.four-winds-energy.com

          Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message,
          a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.




          Joel Davidson wrote:

            Wrenches,

            Thank you for your feedback that automatic watering is not automatic or reliable. Valves can stick open (a flood) or shut (a dry cell) or not seat properly (dripping that becomes a slow flood). I'll get a 2.5 quart watering can sold at auto parts stores - unless you all have a better idea.

            Thanks again,
            Joel Davidson

            ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Davidson" <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net>
            To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
            Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 6:14 PM
            Subject: Battery Automatic Watering



              Wrenches,

              We installed 48 each IBE 1-85N-15 cells (24 in series in 2 Direct Power & Water battery boxes). We do not want to use Hydrocaps. Your suggestions for an automatic watering system would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

              Happy Holidays.
              Joel Davidson


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