[RE-wrenches] Testing new batteries

Thu Mar 24 11:12:32 PDT 2011

Mick n' Nick,Thanks guys.  I shoulda mentioned that the date code says they were mfgrd the 7th week of 2011 and the one exception, the 8th week.  So they haven't been sitting too long.
I have been in contact with the mfgr, and of course i will take their advice over anyone else's (gotta keep the warranty valid), but you cannot deny the value of the hands-on experience and insight from this list.  They said to add distilled water after the initial charge, which is why i was only "considering" adding acid.  I have asked about adding acid rather than water.  Waiting for reply.....
Mick, you mentioned that the electrolyte levels may level once all batteries are at equal SOC.  Can you elaborate?  Do the plates become more or less 'absorbent' or does the chemical reaction change the volume of the liquid.  I will watch this closely.
cheers,benn

DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. benn at daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY

From: mick at abrahamsolar.com
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:27:36 -0600
To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Testing new batteries

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.ca780-906-7807 

HAVE A SUNNY DAY

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