Is there a rule about not adding water to the cells of a battery bank while those batteries are being actively recharged after a 25% drain? I know one has to be careful of sparks as the batteries are probably producing some hydrogen while charging.
I have always wondered who actually makes those batteries. I know for a fact that TRACE, when they existed as a company, never made batteries because I called them.And check them often. I have Trace batteries and I have to top them off almost weekly.
No idea. I bought them because they were cheap and my inverter barely gets used. Other brands are going through the roof.I have always wondered who actually makes those batteries. I know for a fact that TRACE, when they existed as a company, never made batteries because I called them.
Your inverter is not working properly, high generation will cause batteries to overheat and dry.And check them often. I have Trace batteries and I have to top them off almost weekly.
Nah, they're not overheating at all. Stone cold. The inverter is set at 10a charging, which is the lowest setting available.Your inverter is not working properly, high generation will cause batteries to overheat and dry.
JJ
Did you check the charging voltage? A higher than normal voltage will cause the water(acid) in the batteries to "boil off".Nah, they're not overheating at all. Stone cold. The inverter is set at 10a charging, which is the lowest setting available.
No, TBH I haven't. I haven't worried about it too much because I only add an ounce or so every two weeks.Did you check the charging voltage? A higher than normal voltage will cause the water(acid) in the batteries to "boil off".
And remember: Trace (the US company) no longer exists and they never made batteries. A DR company assumed the familiar name and sells batteries and inverters with Trace on them. I suspect the batteries are from Haina, perhaps? Or some other random supplier. I use Trojan T 105 batteries since I have not found a better alternative for my purposes.And check them often. I have Trace batteries and I have to top them off almost weekly.
3 years under those conditions is quite good. The amount of times you discharge to 50% is in the hundreds before the batteries start to suffer.As I mentioned already, I have been pretty good at checking the fluid level in my inverter batteries and topping up with distilled water as necessary. Unfortunately my area has frequent power outages some for 6-8 hours at least. Thus my batteries see fairly heavy use. I try to limit the power drain on the batteries during these outages and very few times has the inverter shown less than 50% charge left. However the batteries are now about 3 years old and are showing signs of wear. The charge doesn't seem stay above 50% for as long as it did in the past and recharging seems to be taking longer than before. I know that I will have to replace the batteries eventually but would like to get as much use out of the current ones for as long possible. My question is this: I do not have a specific gravity tester so do not have a way of gauging the acidity of the fluid in the batteries. Having only ever added water over their lifetime, is there any advantage to adding new battery acid solution instead of water for the next few top up or so?
I also a battery bank size trade off. Once. The four batteries died MUCH faster than 8 of them die. Those discharge/recharge cycles on a smaller bank of batteries really wears them out. 8 batteries work for me in the main house and 4 batteries for some apartments. Now that we have DR style 24/7 power!I have an inverter in my mom's house Santiago, when it was first installed brand new in my home before I moved to US the first set of four batteries last me six years.
But since I move to US I installed in my mom house and downgraded the batteries banks to 2 they don't last so long.
I barely have to add water.
Currently thinking to buy two batteries as it was out of service for several years.
No se estaba yendo la luz.
JJ
I'm not concerned with whether or not they are a US company but their batteries do not come from Haina. Maybe you're thinking of Cometa?And remember: Trace (the US company) no longer exists and they never made batteries. A DR company assumed the familiar name and sells batteries and inverters with Trace on them. I suspect the batteries are from Haina, perhaps? Or some other random supplier. I use Trojan T 105 batteries since I have not found a better alternative for my purposes.
The reason wet cell lead acid batteries are topped off with distilled water when fully charge is so they do not overflow as they charge up and leak acid.
That would mess up their chemistry (the electrolyte would become diluted) and acid leaks are never nice. There is also less hydrogen in the air in float mode when fully charged, reducing potential explosions but that is not the main reason to fill when fully charged, rather expansion of the electrolyte which happens when charging is the reason.
Using AGMs in my car. Wonderful battery.Besides cost, can someone tell me why people don't use batteries for an inverter that is maintenance-free? (no topping off of water required)
CONSUMER REPORTS:
"
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
AGMs are built to better stand up to repeated draining and recharging cycles than standard batteries. They are becoming standard equipment in more cars because modern features such as fuel-saving stop-start systems, electronic safety and convenience features, and power outlets for mobile electronics all increase the demand for power.
But AGMs can cost 40 to 100 percent more than highly rated conventional batteries. Consider buying one if you sometimes don’t use your vehicle for long periods and the battery loses its charge. An AGM battery can better tolerate a deep discharge, and it is more likely to fully recover if it is accidentally drained. "
I use an Optima gel battery in my Prado. 800 amps of instant power to start the engine. I'd never use them for my inverter though.Using AGMs in my car. Wonderful battery.
Bought falsificated Trojans around 2010 in San Pedro from a local electrician. Super offer for a complete system including installation. Too good to be true.Trojan T 105