[RE-wrenches] Advice Needed: L16 Accident! Damage Questions

[Kelly Larson]

Hi Jeff,

I agree with William, but I also know how we try to help our customers.  (Murphy's law is always in effect!)  I would caution you in making any assessment of the batteries.  You really can't tell how much damage there is.

My story involved a cracked post INSIDE the battery, un-viewable from the outside.  This results in a high resistance connection, with melting/high temperature at the affected post.  I had one that didn't show right away, but later the customer called with "a strange smell" coming from the bank.  On inspection we discovered a large hole in the top/side of one of the batteries!

Blessings,
Kelly

Kelly Larson
707-223-3209
Box 504
Ukiah, CA 95482
Electrical Engineer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional
ISPQ Master Trainer
CA Electrical Contractor# 868189
SolarKelly.com

"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power!  I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that."   	~ Thomas Edison




On Sep 13, 2013, at 12:11 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:

> Hi Wrenchies,
> 
> Any Input would be greatly appreciated!
> 
> Jeff Clearwater wrote:
>> 
>> Esteemed Wrenches,
>> 
>> I need your advice on this most unfortunate situation.
>> 
>> I arranged a purchase of 16 Trojan L16 RE-Bs for a client and they went to pick them up.  They didn't secure them well on their flatbed tralier and as they climbed their windy mountain driveway they lost 4 of the batteries over the side of the road and several more fell on their side on the trailer.
>> 
>> The damage falls in 3 categories:
>> 
>> 1)  Broken or cracked posts, caps and handles,
>> 
>> 2)  Loss of Acid
>> 
>> 3)  Unknown damage due to shock of falling . . . 
>> 
>> It's the last category that concerns me - I'm recommending they replace the ones that took a tumble enough to break posts.  (although experience with fixing posts would be welcomed)
>> 
>> And the loss of acid doesn't seem extensive - the voltage is holding fine - perhaps we'll just add water or perhaps acid and water - we'll work that one.  (though any input on amount of acid lost before needing to add acid would be welcomed input) (all but one seem to be above the plates still).
>> 
>> But I'm seeking advice on whether you can trust an L16 that has violently fallen on its side.  Can the force of a fall like that loosen or crack plates and cause problems that show up later?
>> 
>> Here's the summary of damage:
>> 
>> Battery Voltage Damage Fill Level 
>> 1      6.342 
>> 
>> 2     6.343 
>> 
>> 3      6.341 
>> 
>> 4      6.318 
>> 
>> 5      6.351 
>> 
>> 6     6.315 
>> 
>> 7     6.349 
>> 
>> 8     6.314 
>> 
>> 9      6.344  Broken Post 
>> 10    6.348 Cracked Post 
>> 11     6.33 
>> 
>> 12     6.336 
>> 
>> 13     6.304 Broken Handle 
>> 14     6.346 Broken Handle 
>> 15     6.334 2 Broken Posts, Case Cracked, Broken Handle Plate Exposed
>> 16      6.34 
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> 
>>  
>> -- 
>> Jeff Clearwater
>> Village Power Design
>> Renewable Energy Design & Installation
>> Ecovillage Design Consultant
>> 
>> Licensed Solar Contractor in CA - C-46
>> www.villagepower.com
>> 413-559-9763
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Jeff Clearwater
>> Village Power Design
>> Renewable Energy Design & Installation
>> Ecovillage Design Consultant
>> 
>> NABCEP™ Certified Solar PV Installer
>> Licensed Solar Contractor in CA - C-46
>> www.villagepower.com
>> 413-559-9763
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> 
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