[RE-wrenches] Battery charging problems

[Mike Kocsmiersky]

Chris,
In theory the upgraded batteries should be able to accept a greater current
(or at least max charge current) for a greater length of time than the prior
battery bank.  I once had a propane genset run rough when it was starved for
fuel, due to an undersized upright propane cylinder which could not
evaporate the liquid propane fast enough for the load of the genset.  This
caused the regulator on the genset to have awful difficultly, and usually
would drop the load because it couldn't stabilize.  This doesn't sound like
it would be your problem, if it was running properly before, but perhaps the
longer duration at higher current is creating difficulty for the LPG to
evaporate enough.  May be compounded if the fuel tank was recently
overfilled and doesn't have as much surface area, or if it is way low and
can't maintain pressure.  May want to check the tank size of propane for the
genset.  (I'm assuming this is LPG).



Mike Kocsmiersky
Principal
Phone: 413 883-3144 
Spirit Solar
www.SpiritSolar.net



-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Daum [mailto:chris at OasisMontana.com] 
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 3:41 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Battery charging problems

 Dear people:  

I have an off-grid customer who has, in his system, a Magnum MS4448 and 16
of the Rolls S550 batteries, a Kohler generator (and Trimetric meter and
other components).  He upgraded his batteries this past March, and since
he's installed his new batteries, the generator is running 'rough'.  He's at
a great distance from our shop so a local business helps him from time to
time. They believe that the "batteries are too  powerful for the 8.5 kw
generator" and recommended  running it at 50 percent charge control. After 3
hrs run, it seems to help but will mean more run time for his generator (and
hence, use more fuel).  Have you ever heard of anything like this?
Everything ran fund before the battery upgrade.

Thanks for your input!

Best,

Chris Daum
Oasis Montana Inc.
406-777-4309
406-777-0830 fax
www.oasismontana.com