[RE-wrenches] Testing new batteries

[Mick Abraham]

Benn~ If the company that built those batteries is a major brand name, I
advise that you add neither water nor acid to the new cells. Check with the
mfr, but most of the serious mfrs are using robotic fill equipment that is
very precise.

If some of the cells are older stock they may have self discharged a bit and
the electrolyte level rises & falls like the tide based on state of charge.
I'll bet if you can EQ the batts to reach equal state of charge, you also
will find the electrolyte level to equalize.

Jolliness,

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675


On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 11:20 AM, Nick Soleil <nicksoleilsolar at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Hi Benn:
>     Perhaps those batteries have just been sitting a little while, and need
> a recharge.  Generally speaking, if you find that the batteries test reading
> are a little low, they are probably just a little discharged.  After
> recharging the batteries, test them again.  If those readings are low, then
> contact the manufacturer with the data.  I have had great luck with battery
> manufacturers warranting their defective batteries in warranty.
>
> Nick Soleil
> Project Manager
> Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC
> PO Box 657
> Petaluma, CA 94953
> Cell: 707-321-2937
> Office: 707-789-9537
> Fax: 707-769-9037
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* benn kilburn <benn at daystarsolar.ca>
> *To:* Wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> *Sent:* Thu, March 24, 2011 9:43:20 AM
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Testing new batteries
>
> I'm curious of others experiences with testing "new" batteries right from
> the mfgr, before putting them into service.  I'm not talking about load
> testing, i mean just basics...voltage, specific gravity and electrolyte
> level.
>
> I recently received some batteries (24 x 2V) and before putting them to
> work i tested all the voltages, SG's and levels.  Voltages were all with-in
> 0.016 V (2.1-2.084).  The SG's were within 0.037 (1.281-1.244).  Yes, the
> one with the lowest SG also had the lowest V.
>
> What concerns me a bit more than the few cells with lower SG is the
> consistent low levels of electrolyte.  All cells were between 3/4" and
> 1-1/2" below full, which is 1/4" below the bottom of the vent well tube....
> with one exception that was bang-on full.  Interestingly, the one full
> battery was the only one with a different date code than the rest.
>
> Should the various levels of electrolyte mentioned be acceptable when a
> battery is brand new, straight from the mfgr?  How bout the SG's?
>
> I'm considering adding electrolyte from a local battery shop instead of
> distilled water to top up all the batteries.  Comments?
>
> Very thankful for the wealth of knowledge and experience on this list,
> benn
>
> DayStar Renewable Energy Inc.
> benn at daystarsolar.ca
> 780-906-7807
> HAVE A SUNNY DAY
>
>
>
>
>
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