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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Benn,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>First off, there is never a reason to add acid. The
acid/water mixture is very specific and should not be changed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>From the moment a battery has been activated (electrolyte
added), it is in a discharge mode. The sulfuric acid in the electrolyte starts
to be absorbed into the plates (electrochemical process) creating lead sulfate.
All new batteries need to be initially charged to reverse this. Only
then can you get an accurate SG base reading to record in the log
book.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>New flooded battery charging process:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Start by charging the new battery at a relatively
high voltage, about 2.47vpc @ 77 degrees, until the current drops to about 0.5
amps per 100AH capacity. As long as the plates are covered, you do not need to
add any water during this process. Turn the voltage up to about 2.6 volts per
cell for at least a couple hours. You will notice heavy gassing so make sure
they are vented well. Let batteries rest a while and take your SG reading. Only
if necessary, add water to the proper level. Long battery life note: Do not
discharge new batteries very deep until they have been cycled about 10 to 15
times.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>About battery manufacture dates: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Too often we have received batteries that have set
for many months after manufacturing. We return these because the
amorphous lead sulfate ions may have formed bonds to the plate that
are (or may be) irreversible. This same effect is caused by undercharging a
battery for long periods and it usually leads to premature failure.
Any flooded battery setting for over 30 days should be
fully recharged.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>To answer your question about liquid volume, the
plates are absorbent. They absorb acid while discharging and the acid is
recombined with water when charging. So the level is in constant flux. That is
why you should not add water to a discharged battery except to cover the plates;
charge it first.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Much more than 2 cents but that's just me.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Larry Crutcher<BR>Starlight Solar Power Systems<BR><A
href="http://www.starlightsolar.com">www.starlightsolar.com</A><BR>928-342-9103</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=benn@daystarsolar.ca href="mailto:benn@daystarsolar.ca">benn
kilburn</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">Wrenches</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 24, 2011 11:12
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] Testing new
batteries</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Mick n' Nick,
<DIV>Thanks guys. I shoulda mentioned that the date code says they were
mfgrd the 7th week of 2011 and the one exception, the 8th week. So they
haven't been sitting too long.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I have been in contact with the mfgr, and of course i will take their
advice over anyone else's (gotta keep the warranty valid), but you cannot deny
the value of the hands-on experience and insight from this list. They
said to add distilled water after the initial charge, which is why i was only
"considering" adding acid. I have asked about adding acid rather than
water. Waiting for reply.....</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Mick, you mentioned that the electrolyte levels may level once all
batteries are at equal SOC. Can you elaborate? Do the plates
become more or less 'absorbent' or does the chemical reaction change the
volume of the liquid. I will watch this closely.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>cheers,</DIV>
<DIV>benn<BR><BR><SPAN class=ecxecxecxecxEC_Apple-style-span
style="COLOR: rgb(0,32,96)"><FONT class=ecxApple-style-span
face="'Franklin Gothic Medium'">DayStar Renewable Energy
Inc. </FONT></SPAN>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=ecxApple-style-span
face="'Franklin Gothic Medium'">benn@daystarsolar.ca</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=ecxApple-style-span
face="'Franklin Gothic Medium'">780-906-7807 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT class=ecxApple-style-span face="'Franklin Gothic Medium'">HAVE A
SUNNY DAY </FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>