[RE-wrenches] Battery Damage

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

You do not provide the length of time the plates were exposed so any response is a guess. The result of plate exposure to oxygen is hardening of the amorphous lead sulfate into sulphate crystals and grid corrosion. 

You should just cover the plates with water then fully charge the bank. After that, perform an equalization charge, testing to see if you are increasing the SG of any cells. After this process, fill the battery to the proper level. 

The only true test for damage to this bank is also an impractical one: a timed discharge test to measure actual capacity. Since it appears to work fine, I would just continue use.

Larry


On Jun 10, 2013, at 7:22 AM, Will White <William.White at realgoods.com> wrote:

Wrenches,
 
I have a customer who’s got a 24V off grid system with one string of 12 two volt, 2000AH Power Battery brand flooded lead batteries.  The bank is about four years old and has been working great except the customer forgot to water the batteries for an extended period.  When I went out to service them the plates were exposed and I had to add about a gallon of water per battery.  These batteries have a large amount of water over the plates usually so I’m guessing that about 1-2” of the top of the plates were exposed which is about 10% of the total plate surface.
 
So here’s the question.  The bank seems to be working fine, is it likely that permanent damage was done?  Is there a good way to test for damage?  Is there anything I can to do mitigate any damage done?
 
Thanks,
Will
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Will White
Regional Field Operations Manager – New England
 
Real Goods Solar
64 Main St.
Montpelier, VT 05602
Tel: (802) 223-7804
Cell: (802) 234-3167
www.realgoodssolar.com
 
 
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