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--></style></head><body bgcolor="white" lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">There are a lot of forums and circles where C/20 refers to the capacity divided by 20, or 5% of the battery capacity. This may be the more informal interpretation of the term, but you will find many examples where people consider C/20 to be 5% of the capacity (wrong or right). For example, look at the most frequently accessed deep cycle charging FAQ on the Internet: </span><a href="http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm">http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">To be clear perhaps we should just use plain English and say “the recommended charging rate is 10-15% of the capacity of the battery at the 20 hour discharge rate.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1f497d">Jason Szumlanski</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Fafco Solar</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext"> <a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Allan Sindelar<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 02, 2012 1:46 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Hot Trojan Batteries</span></p></div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Wrenches,<br>I attended John DeBoever's Friday afternoon presentation on battery technology and care at the NABCEP Continuing Education conference this past weekend. It quickly became clear to me that John seriously knows his batteries, at all levels: chemistry, physics, RE use and care, etc. It was an advanced-level presentation, and I learned a lot. <br>
<br>The first thing John told us was that English is not his native language; he's a Belgian raised in South Africa (and more that I didn't catch). He was bursting with knowledge and good information, but occasionally we in his class would back him up to better explain a point. <br>
<br>In short, I think he will be a real asset to the Wrenches list as a manufacturer's representative. And occasionally there will be something confusing, such as what just happened here. I too wondered about C20 versus C/20. I appreciate that he quickly cleared up the confusion, and look forward to learning quite a bit from his posts about battery issues.<br>
Allan</p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Allan Sindelar</b><br><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><span style="color:#000099">Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</span></a></span><br><span style="font-size:10.0pt">NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br><b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>3201 Calle Marie<br>Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br><b>505 424-1112</b><br><a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/" target="_blank">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:722.25pt"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br>On 4/2/2012 11:00 AM, John DeBoever wrote: </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Jason, Wrenches,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">C/20 means C over 20 hours discharge rate = capacity @ the 20 hours discharge rate. C/20 often is mentioned as C20, so the confusion here. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Max recommended is 10& to 15% of C20 of the battery bank.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">John </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Trojan Battery Company</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color">
<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""> <a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jason Szumlanski<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 02, 2012 12:53 PM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Hot Trojan Batteries</span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">There must be some confusion here about the charging rate. C/20 refers to capacity divided by 20, so in the case of a 325aH battery (capacity @ the 20 hour discharge rate) we’re talking about charging at a 16.25 amp rate. I’m sure John is not referring to a maximum rate of 10-15% of 16.25 amps, but 10-15% of the 325aH capacity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1f497d">Jason Szumlanski</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Fafco Solar</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color">
<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""> <a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>John DeBoever<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 02, 2012 12:14 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:allsolar@scswifi.net">allsolar@scswifi.net</a>; RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Hot Trojan Batteries</span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d">Jeremy, Wrenches,</span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d">165°F is definitely too high and you should stop immediately any charge to avoid further major problems. I recommend you contact our Trojan Tech Support for help at <a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top</a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d">Below are few perspectives to help the diagnostic:</span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1f497d"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">System issues: </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check Charger setting: the C/20 rate mentioned is definitely too high and will damage the battery. The maximum recommended current rate is 10-15% of C/20 for a deep-cycle flooded lead acid battery. Other C/rates are possible but are application specific and not typical.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check Voltage settings: these are provided on Trojan datasheets, see here: <a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/literature.html">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/literature.html</a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check Temperature compensation: -0.028VPC for every 10°F above 77°F (add 0.028 VPC for every 10°F below 77°F or subtract 0.020VPC for every 10°F above 77°F. See here: <a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf</a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check Voltage sensor status and connection. Dedicated wiring is recommended</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check temperature sensor. It shall be well positioned, typically in the middle of the battery bank at the warmest point.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check if air circulation between the battery units. </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Check if adequate air ventilation of the battery room.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1f497d"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Battery issues:</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">C/20 charging rate is too high (see above)</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">How old are the batteries? Ageing batteries will face micro-shorts that will decrease the battery turnaround efficiency over time that translates in higher temperature generation. Typically the battery temperature range is about 20<sup>o</sup>F above ambient temperature, and typical min and max limit are -4°F to 113°F. </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="color:#1f497d">See here:</span> <span style="color:#1f497d"><a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/PDF/Signature_Trojan_ProductLineSheet.pdf</a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="color:#1f497d">165°F is way too high and will damage the units</span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Maybe you are facing one or more shorted units: check the voltage and it will quickly indicate if a unit is shorted. Shorted units will generate heat and will jeopardize the charging of other units. Remove shorted units and consult tech support your charger supplier if possible to reconfigure of your battery bank with fewer units, configured at a lower battery bank voltage, using same voltage settings recommended by Trojan Battery Company. Typically 1 to 3 units less would be acceptable, depending the charger manufacturer settings.</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Maybe you are facing sulfated batteries, resulting from low charging, thus resulting in lower overall turnaround efficiency. This will heat some healthier units of the battery bank, accelerating corrosion damages. The max temperature acceptable being 113°F, please consult Trojan Tech Support: <a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;color:#1f497d">ü</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt"> </span><span style="color:#1f497d">Please deal directly off-Wrenches list, with Trojan Tech Support for better fine tune resolution: <a href="http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top">http://www.trojanbatteryre.com/Tech_Support/Tech_Support.html?tab=0#TabbedPanels1#top</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d">I hope this help,</span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="color:#1f497d">John</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">John F. DeBoever</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Global Technical Director – Renewable Energy</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Trojan Battery Company</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">12380 Clark Street </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Tel: +1-562-236-3000 Ext. 3139</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#953735">Cell: +1-845-514-7600 – NY office time zone: USA EST (GMT-5)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Skype: john.f.deboever</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="FR" style="font-size:9.0pt">Fax: +1-562-236-3239</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:jdeboever@trojanbattery.com"><span lang="FR" style="font-size:9.0pt">jdeboever@trojanbattery.com</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.trojanbattery.com/"><span lang="FR" style="font-size:9.0pt">www.trojanbattery.com</span></a></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="FR" style="color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">
-----Original Message-----<br>From: <a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a> [<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] On Behalf Of <a href="mailto:allsolar@scswifi.net">allsolar@scswifi.net</a><br>
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 7:20 PM<br>To: <a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>Subject: [RE-wrenches] Hot Trojan Batteries</p><p class="MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="MsoPlainText">
Wrenches,</p><p class="MsoPlainText">Can anyone explain why an L16 bank would be at 165F at rest. Over a C20 charge rate, but I have a feeling there might be an internal short </p><p class="MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="MsoPlainText">
Jeremy</p><p class="MsoPlainText">All Solar</p><p class="MsoPlainText">Sent via BlackBerry. Sorry for typos and shorthand!</p><p class="MsoPlainText">_______________________________________________</p><p class="MsoPlainText">
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