[RE-wrenches] Couple of Qustions about AGM batteries

[Peter Parrish]

We have put together a 850 Wdc portable stand-alone PV system. It uses a
Blue Sky 3024DiL charge controller, a pair of SunXtender 250 A-hr AGM
batteries (24 volt configuration), and a Xantrex Prosine 1000 inverter.

We have been using this system for powering "events" and getting some good
marketing from the activities. Everything has worked out well, and the
system is not being used now and probably won't until March or April
sometime.

We have let the system fully charge the batteries through bulk/absorption
and now float. The float conditions are 26.4 V and 2.0 A at a battery
temperature of 21 deg-C.

My first question: is it alright to let the batteries float every day for
the next 6 to 8 weeks, or should I disconnect them from the rest of the
system until we are ready to use the system again?

My second question: since the 3024iL can perform an equalization, is there a
safe equalization procedure for these AGM batteries?

- Peter

Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
California Solar Engineering, Inc.
820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
peter.parrish at calsolareng.com  
Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885