[RE-wrenches] Trace inverters undercharging batteries.

[Starlight Solar, Larry Crutcher]

Jesse, 

It looks like you said the battery was replaced with Rolls. If so, good choice. Without extensive regular testing, keeping a log book,  and possessing the knowledge to do it right, you will not really know if you are fully charging the battery to 100% SOC. From the information in your post, it leads me to think that this is the case.

IMO, the single most important thing you can do for this customer is install a battery monitor system. I recommend the trimetric. While this will not take the place of skilled battery testing, it will give you far more information than you have ever had. This is where to start. You will then know how high and low the voltage got each day. You will see how many AH are removed and replaced each day. You will have eyes to see your battery health like never before.

Please post the size of the battery bank, the cables and length used to connect the inverter and all the generator information. Perhaps we can help more.

Larry




----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jesse Dahl 
  To: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 11:04 AM
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Trace inverters undercharging batteries.


  Wrenches,

  I have been in contact with a person living off-grid in Northern MN.  She had some problems with her system and called me.  I teach a solar class at a local community college and have been helping her in my free time (free of course!).  

  Some of her batteries froze last winter and she said she dumped out the electrolyte and put new in........ (6 V Rolls)

  Her main concern was the batteries never fully charging.  She has a very nice Kohler gen, but from what I have been told, the Trace inverters may be part of the problem with the batteries undercharging.  I have limited experience with off grid applications and any help would be greatly appreciated.  

  Jesse


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