[RE-wrenches] Trojan L16RE-2V set-points

[Mac Lewis]

Hello wrenches,

I inspected a system that another company had installed.  It had single
string of 12 x Trojan L16RE-2V batteries about 2 years old.  They had
experienced a battery melt-down.  It looks as though the meltdown had
occurred internally, not from a bad connection.

The system was dual stack Outback VFXR-3524A inverters (to be precise one
was a sealed unit).  The set-points were as follows:
Absorb Voltage was 29.8V
Absorb Time was 6.0 hours
Float Voltage was 27.0V
Rebulk Voltage was 27.0V
End Amps was 0A

These settings extended similarly to 2 x FM80 charge controllers.

I was able to jumper the melted battery and get her power in 15 minutes.
Her installer had left her without power for 2 weeks.  My clients will kill
me if that happened!

Anyway, I believe these set-points are way out of whack and too
aggressive.  The voltage is OK (Trojan recommends ~29.6V for this) but the
Absorb time seems way too long, Rebulk is too high and end amps isn't
helping.  However, Im not finding a definitive article from Trojan that
describes typical Absorb times or even how to adjust towards a good Absorb
Time, based on specific gravity measurements or amperage absorption.

My diagnosis is that these batteries have been cooked over the past 2
years.  In the electrolyte, there is noticeable "floaties".  The client
said that the original installer had accused her of not using distilled
water, but I don't believe that would cause her symptoms.  I believe the
floaties are plate material.

I'd be interested in wrenches opinions familiar with these batteries if
these are appropriate settings for a low energy user.  I will attempt to
get through to Trojan as well.

Thanks in advance



-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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