[RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem

[Darryl Thayer]

That is a tough one to diagnose, but I think you have some sulfation, I have used interstates and had reasonable luck.  They act more like a traction battery than a RE battery.  This might be a job for a desulfator or a very long slow charge.  It takes a long time to get sulfur to leave the plates.  I charged a set on low EQ rate for over 30+hrs to get the capacity back and the SG back up.  I would not charge to vigorously as you can loosen plate material. 

I have not used the ETDA product, but have had success on a long charge.

Darryl

--- On Tue, 6/29/10, Dave Palumbo <dave at independentpowerllc.com> wrote:

From: Dave Palumbo <dave at independentpowerllc.com>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem
To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 7:58 PM




 
 






Bob, 

   

Sulfation, I’d say. Try EDTA.
Trailhead Supply. See Home Power marketplace ad for contact info.  

If it’s not sulfation then
maybe it’s simply diluted electrolyte(accidental, or intentional) which
would make the batteries have lower performance AH wise but should last a long
time (plates hold up better in a less acidic solution). Years ago I received
some Hoppecke lead acid batteries direct from Germany to make good on a bad batch
of NiCADS. The Hoppecke LA’s intentionally have a max SG of 1.240. Very
big cells (330lbs for a 2v cell) and evidently have a very long life, as I am
using them still in my barn/shop 16 years later and they act like new despite a
pathetically low charge rate. These cells are rated at 2,000 AH @ 100h rate.  I
am charging them with 35 amps of PV with the occasional 75 amp charge when the
gen is on.  

   

I have never heard much good
said concerning Interstate deep cycle batteries.  

   

Dave 

   





From:
re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of bob

Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 6:53 AM

To: 'RE-wrenches'

Subject: [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem 





   

I have 2 systems that I am
trying to correct that another local dealer has installed. 

This one is 2 strings of (8)
UL-16 HC Interstate Batteries, 16 batteries total. 

We cannot get the batteries
to charge over 1.225 despite discharging them and generator charging them till
everything shut down. 

This is a 48 volt system with
a Magnum 4448 inverter. 

He also has (6) 175 watt
Solar World panels on a manual tracker. (spends all day tracking the sun) He is
adding 2 more this summer. The controller is an MX-60. 

I have moved the Magnums
settings to 1600 AH battery bank size to allow for the inverter to have a
longer absorb time to help it finish charging and get to a full battery. 

It’s not working; we
have 1 cell at 1.240 and the rest at 1.225. 

   

These have not been cycled
hard if at all, I am going to suggest that he cycle them several more times to
see if anything improves after that 

   

The other system has the same
problem with a different inverter! So it’s not inverter related, but I am
at a loss.  

I have not used Interstates
before and want to stay away from them in the future. 

  

Any other suggestions? 

   

Thanks, 

Bob Ellison 



 


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