load testing batteries [RE-wrenches]

Wed Sep 13 21:23:34 EDT 2000

Roy,
Are the batteries sulfated or just wore (used) For the test they need to be
sulfated if I understand things correctly.

I just did a load test on a pair of 20 cell battery packs. 510 AH @ 40 volts
each.

Here is the load test procedure.

Charge them to a full reading on the hydrometer (varies with the specific
batteries electrolyte) In most cases 1.85 or 1.90 SG (Specific gravity) Then
put the proper load on the batteries, in this case 85 amps for 6 hours. Take
a cell voltage reading after 10 minutes to get a reading without the surface
charge. Then another at 50 min. Then one every 60 min until the cell voltage
reaches 1.75 volts per cell. Then you get busy and do voltage tests
continuously on all the cells until a cell reaches 1.70 volts. The test on
that cell is over at 1.70 volts, in my case I jumpered the cell to bypass it
and continued until 25% (5) of the cells dropped to 1.70 volts. In this
batteries case if all cells got past the 5th hour before dropping below 1.70
volts the battery would pass the test, it didn't.... This battery is rated
at a 6 hour rate.

Doing a test on a battery rated for a 20 AH load for 20 hours will be long.
You can use peukerts exponent to shorten the test, but it is not the same as
a normal test.

In the case of a 6 volt battery where you can't get to the cell connectors
the voltages would be 5.25 volts and 5.10 volts for the battery voltages.

Later,
Bob Ellison

-----Original Message-----
From:	Roy Butler, Four Winds RE [mailto:roy at four-winds-energy.com]
Sent:	Wednesday, September 13, 2000 7:26 PM
To:	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject:	Re: Desulfaters? [RE-wrenches]

Hi Windy,
    It just so happens that I still have (and use)  8 Crown golf cart
batteries I had installed on my own RE system in '97. Since then I've used
all 8 in rotation for various shows and events. I've recently equalized and
tested them and found them to have an average AH rating of 155.
    I'd love to do the test you mentioned...sounds like a fair test for
both the manufacturer and the consumer. Any desulfator manufacturers out
there willing to donate a unit in order to settle this question once and
for all??? I'm willing to donate my time and batteries in return....whaddya
say?
Roy Butler
Four Winds RE
Arkport, NY
www.four-winds-energy.com

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To unsubscribe send a message to: 
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To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
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For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com
___________________________________________________________
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