E meter [RE-wrenches]

[allan]

Paul,
    I'm guessing here--I would expect that the amount of heat generated in
the Hydrocap is directly related to the amount of gassing the cap is asked
to recombine, so if two caps are hotter than the rest, either their cells
are producing more gas than the others, or the amount of gassing is pretty
even and those two caps are working inefficiently and thus generating more
heat, rather than more water.  Was the voltage on those two cells higher
than the others (on some L16s you can pierce the top cover with a sharp DMM
probe to read cell voltage)?  Have those two cells shown greater water use
than the others?  Or, here's one: repeat the charge cycle after rotating
those two caps with two others, to see if the determining factor is the caps
or the specific cells.

    Re John's question on water use: I dunno--as dealers, we don't usually
do maintenance on smaller (GC/L16-based) systems, so when we do add water to
someone's system, it's generally without a known history of past
consumption, duration since last filling, how full they were last filled,
etc.  I have 12 T105s at home, 1 year old, with a SB50 set to 29.7 bulk;
seems like I added 1-2 gallons last July, and they're probably due
again--not much water.  I suspect the primary determinants are the
sophistication of the charge controller used, and the setpoints.

   Re Kurt's E-Meter/Tri-Met question, we have found that either meter is
pretty useless in grid-tied float.  The Tri-Met with its simpler charged
parameters always reads 100%.  (We've only used Tri-Met 2020s in grid-tied
systems).  We have had two problem Tri-Met installations: 1) an old 12V
system with grid BU wouldn't hold programmed setpoints: after several
callbacks in a week, we put in an E-Meter, all OK.  Not much help here, as
we never figured the cause.  2) A big 48V system had one Tri-Met in the
power shed, and a second in the house.  The meter wire run was about 600' of
phone wire, plus a run of #12 USE for voltage sense (G1?).  It read about
.4A off, whatever we did, which of course screwed up all the data except
voltage.  Swapping the two made the same result, so it wasn't the meter.
Also never figured out-the client hired a laborer to dig and bury the line,
so it could have been damaged.  That's out of maybe 40-50 meters sold or
installed.

Allan @+E
-----Original Message-----
From: paul wilkins <inkings at swcp.com>
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2000 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: E meter [RE-wrenches]


>allan wrote:
>>
>> Paul,
>>     I'm not sure what you're asking, friend.  Two hydrocaps? Two cells?
Two
>> batteries?  What was the noticeable difference?  Please provide more
info.
>>     14.8 is a normal bulk voltage setpoint for L16s and GCs, including
the
>> Dekas, so no problem there.  Hydrocaps should be OK unless the C/ rate is
>> too hot.  Because they work catalytically, they will get hot from high
>> gassing rates and can melt.  That's why you are wise to remove the caps
when
>> equalizing.
>>     Wrenches, it seems to me that the Water Miser caps are a better
choice
>> now, because they don't have to be removed for any charging states.  Any
>> comparisons/experiences to share?
>>
>> Allan at Poz Ee
>>
>
>After charging around 14.8 the center Hydocap on one batt was pretty warm
and
>the end cap on the ajacent batt was the same. All the other caps were the
cool. Paul
>
>- - - - - - -
>To send a message:
> RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
>The archive of previous messages:
> http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
>To unsubscribe send a message to:
> RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com
>
>To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
> www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
>Hosted by Home Power magazine:
> www.homepower.com
>
>For info contact list moderator by email:
> michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>___________________________________________________________
>T O P I C A  http://www.topica.com/t/17
>Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
>

- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  http://www.topica.com/t/17
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics