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Subject: TWL: RE: Battery equalizing/pulse technology
From: frank weismantel (fxw@XXX.XXX)
Date: Fri Dec 27 2002 - 14:07:29 EST
Hi Rich,
Equalization has always been a necessary evil. Equalization is very hard on
batteries. The new pulse gear looks like the first viable technology to
finally replace equalization. I quizzed another listee off line as to what
would be a replacement process for equalization if you did not have the
money or inclination to switch to pulse and he responded with a preference
for cycling (the batteries, not his bike) but had some caveats with respect
to when cycling made sense from a standby power availability standpoint.
In the Telecom industry the rationale for equalizing is that the batteries
never really cycle and operate at float voltage all the time. Telecom
battery plants (lead acid) always seem to float above the gassing point of
the electrolyte. The belief is that this long-term float is the primary
cause of sulfation FOR THEIR APPLICATION. This is at odds with some other
technical information I have from my (very few) days in satcom. I also have
some recent information from the power generation industry that says long
term float just below the gassing point would supposedly minimize or
eliminate sulfation. So, that affirms the telecom position in a backhanded
sort of way. Universal agreement only appears when stating that deep
discharge and subsequent recharge of lead acid batteries definitely causes
sulfation. Battery plant theory (and battery plant salespeople) drives us
wild. There are inconsistencies between many industry standards for lead
acid battery care and theory. I see (hope?) the pulse technology as
rendering most of these inconsistencies moot. Time will tell.
Right now, if I had to choose, I'd choose pulse gear simply to avoid
equalization. I'd be willing to gamble that the long term outcome was
increased battery life, assuming I did everything else associated with
sizing and maintaining my plant correctly.
Has anyone discussed keeping the bilge and battery compartment vented during
and after equalization? Equalization causes a substantial increase in the
formation of hydrogen gas. Unless it's explosion proof, don't go flicking
that flashlight on to see what's happening in the battery cells, either.
Regards to all,
Frank & Claudette Weismantel
Elverta, CA
Boatless for a little while longer
-----Original Message-----
From: trawler-world-list-admin@XXX.XXX
[mailto:trawler-world-list-admin@XXX.XXX]On Behalf Of Rich Gano
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 12:05 PM
To: Trawler World
Subject: TWL: Battery equalizing/pulse technology
I noted Bob Austin's reference to the probably gentler effects of the pulse
technology "desulfating" units as opposed to the possibly rougher battery
charger equalization process, during which a relatively high constant
charging voltage is enforced on the battery (6 hours for my True Charge 20).
My True Charge 20, with an equalization button, is hooked up to my house
bank, and a small 10-amp bass-boat "smart" charger is hooked up to the
engine starting batteries. The assumption here is that the engine start
batteries will never see a deep discharge and only need to "float" along.
However, there is no equalizing feature on the small charger for the start
batts.
I have taken to connecting a REDI-PULSE "desulfating" unit up to the start
batteries on a more or less permanent basis. No adverse effects, like water
usage, noted. At house bank equalization time, I switch its leads over to
the house batteries rather than hammering them with an equalization charge
from the TC 20.
Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42-295)
Southport, FL
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