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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Bob,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Sulfation, I’d say. Try EDTA.
Trailhead Supply. See Home Power marketplace ad for contact info. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>If it’s not sulfation then
maybe it’s simply diluted electrolyte(accidental, or intentional) which
would make the batteries have lower performance AH wise but should last a long
time (plates hold up better in a less acidic solution). Years ago I received
some Hoppecke lead acid batteries direct from Germany to make good on a bad batch
of NiCADS. The Hoppecke LA’s intentionally have a max SG of 1.240. Very
big cells (330lbs for a 2v cell) and evidently have a very long life, as I am
using them still in my barn/shop 16 years later and they act like new despite a
pathetically low charge rate. These cells are rated at 2,000 AH @ 100h rate. I
am charging them with 35 amps of PV with the occasional 75 amp charge when the
gen is on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have never heard much good
said concerning Interstate deep cycle batteries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Dave<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>bob<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 29, 2010 6:53 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] Interstate UL-16 HC problem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I have 2 systems that I am
trying to correct that another local dealer has installed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>This one is 2 strings of (8)
UL-16 HC Interstate Batteries, 16 batteries total.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>We cannot get the batteries
to charge over 1.225 despite discharging them and generator charging them till
everything shut down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>This is a 48 volt system with
a Magnum 4448 inverter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>He also has (6) 175 watt
Solar World panels on a manual tracker. (spends all day tracking the sun) He is
adding 2 more this summer. The controller is an MX-60.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I have moved the Magnums
settings to 1600 AH battery bank size to allow for the inverter to have a
longer absorb time to help it finish charging and get to a full battery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>It’s not working; we
have 1 cell at 1.240 and the rest at 1.225.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>These have not been cycled
hard if at all, I am going to suggest that he cycle them several more times to
see if anything improves after that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The other system has the same
problem with a different inverter! So it’s not inverter related, but I am
at a loss. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I have not used Interstates
before and want to stay away from them in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Any other suggestions?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Bob Ellison<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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