[RE-wrenches] Desulfator question; Battery Warranty

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

Hi Dan,

When you think about it, a battery will not be under warranty and need a desulfator at the same time. Here's why: All battery manufacturers state that the warranty is void if a battery is has not been charged properly. Here is the Trojan pertinent warranty text: THE PROVISIONS OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY TO FAILURE DUE TO: .... Abuse or neglect.... insufficient charging (undercharging or overcharging).

Lead sulfate is an amorphous powder. When there is no charge current flowing, lead dioxide, lead and sulfuric acid react and make lead sulfate on the positive plate. When a battery is properly and fully charged (key words), including equalization charges, all of the lead sulfate is converted back to sulphuric acid, lead dioxide and lead. 

It takes many months of deficit charging for the lead sulfate to harden to the point that proper voltage, current and time (more key words) can not convert it back. This is the point in a batteries life where a desulfator might be of use; to break down the crystalline structure formed due to the neglect.  So, there is not a need for a desulfator circuit if the battery is healthy and being charged properly. If you do need a desulfator, it will always be due to causes that make the warranty void. 

Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems



On Apr 26, 2012, at 4:08 PM, Dan Fink wrote:

Wrenches;

I wrote an Ask the Experts column on the topic for Home Power Magazine a year or two ago, and contacted Trojan Battery for more information. The Trojan tech rep said that any desulphator, chemical or electrical, would void the Trojan warranty. I don't remember which issue my article was in, but Trojan provided some other compelling reasons to avoid desulphators. I am traveling right now and don't have access to my back issues.

Dan Fink,
Executive Director;
Otherpower
Buckville Energy Consulting
Buckville Publications LLC
NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
970.672.4342 (voicemail) 

On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 12:06 PM, Allan Sindelar <allan at positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:
Wrenches,
I have not recommended battery desulfators, as I haven't been genuinely convinced that they work. I'm not asking to be convinced in this post. Rather, for those among us who do recommend and use them, what is your recommended brand and model for a large (1675 amp-hour) 48-volt flooded battery bank? A customer has inquired.
Thank you,
Allan
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