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THOBIAS MABUGO
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 45

Flooded 12V Solar Battery

02/07/2013 4:23 AM

Hi all,

I have a home solar system rated 300W and 2x100AH solar battery.It's about 1 year since I installeed these batteries.I do a periodic check up of these batteries every 3 months.Yesterday I did the same.By using testing tools(Battery Hydrometer,Multimeter and Battery load tester) the results were as follows:

1.Battery hydrometer: The specific gravity of each cell was 1175g/cm3 and color of acid in RED position of it.

2.Multimeter voltage testing: 2.1V per cell

3.Battery load tester : 10.5 V and color indicated on the sceen was GREEN.

Now,my question is can I replace the solution of the battery,that is an acid,basing on the result of battery hydrometer test?
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Pathfinder Tags: 12V FLOODED SOLAR BATTERY battery
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ozzb
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#1

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/07/2013 7:45 AM

Since a solar panel depends on the amount of sun light. It maybe that it has not provided the potential to get the battery fully charged regularly. Causing the some sulfating in the cells.

Gain access to a equalizing charger to correct the problem before trying to just add acid. Even a regular charger may help. The chemical reaction that takes place in the battery to produce the current changes the sulfuric acid to a salt. This salt is dissolve in the solution. Normally it is changed back to acid with the charge. If not done so the salt will be at or above the saturation point. So in will crystallize out. It tends to crystallize out on the plates. This salt on the plates will act as an insulator between the fluid and the lead plates. So there is a reduction in output.

Would also check the potential output of your panels. To charge a 12 volt battery it should reach 14.5 volts

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THOBIAS MABUGO
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
#2
In reply to #1

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/08/2013 4:03 AM

Ozzb,

Thanks for your contribution:In my place where the panels are installed I always get 7-8hrs of bright sunshine per day.And normally battery charger indicates that batteries are fully charged(charger installed is PWM type).The running time of energy stored during the night has droped a litle bit,but not bad.Yesterday I have charged them with my regular charge 6 hrs each and re-installed them.Does this action boost the specific gravity to normal?
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ozzb
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/08/2013 7:36 AM

The PWM type charger what is the voltage potential that is on the batteries while showing fully charged?

"Does this action boost the specific gravity to normal?"

It should help. Whether it would get the specific gravity back to normal depends on how bad the batteries have sulfated. Sometimes it may take several discharges and charges. Working the fluid to get the crystallized salts to dissolve back into the solution. So that the charge can changed it back to acid.

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THOBIAS MABUGO
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
#4
In reply to #3

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/12/2013 10:13 AM

0zzb,

It shows about 13.8 to 14V
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ozzb
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rosedale, Maryland USA
Posts: 5197
Good Answers: 266
#5
In reply to #4

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/13/2013 7:21 AM

That's low is also why the hydrometer test is low. Optimum voltage should be about 14.50 V fully charged.

Here is some info on lead acid batteries that may help.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_measure_state_of_charge

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THOBIAS MABUGO
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
#6
In reply to #5

Re: FLOODED 12V SOLAR BATTERY

02/15/2013 12:54 PM

Ozzb,

Thanks for you help
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