<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">That is a tough one to diagnose, but I think you have some sulfation, I have used interstates and had reasonable luck. They act more like a traction battery than a RE battery. This might be a job for a desulfator or a very long slow charge. It takes a long time to get sulfur to leave the plates. I charged a set on low EQ rate for over 30+hrs to get the capacity back and the SG back up. I would not charge to vigorously as you can loosen plate material. <br><br>I have not used the ETDA product, but have had success on a long charge.<br><br>Darryl<br><br>--- On <b>Tue, 6/29/10, Dave Palumbo <i><dave@independentpowerllc.com></i></b> wrote:<br><blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><br>From: Dave Palumbo <dave@independentpowerllc.com><br>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches]
Interstate UL-16 HC problem<br>To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org><br>Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 7:58 PM<br><br><div id="yiv1480818695">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Bob,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Sulfation, I’d say. Try EDTA.
Trailhead Supply. See Home Power marketplace ad for contact info. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">I have never heard much good
said concerning Interstate deep cycle batteries. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Dave</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "sans-serif";">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "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</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have 2 systems that I am
trying to correct that another local dealer has installed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This one is 2 strings of (8)
UL-16 HC Interstate Batteries, 16 batteries total.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We cannot get the batteries
to charge over 1.225 despite discharging them and generator charging them till
everything shut down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is a 48 volt system with
a Magnum 4448 inverter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s not working; we
have 1 cell at 1.240 and the rest at 1.225.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">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</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The other system has the same
problem with a different inverter! So it’s not inverter related, but I am
at a loss. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have not used Interstates
before and want to stay away from them in the future.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Any other suggestions?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thanks,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bob Ellison</span></p>
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