48 Volt Off Grid Voltage versus Capacity and Age of Batteries

[inetdog]

QUESTION: Would you chime in on the proper procedures for charging a new bank of batteries?

1. Make sure the electrolyte level is at the recommended level, but not overfull since there will be some gassing and expansion. But by all means above the plates.
2. Measure the voltage and SG, in case you later have a concern about the condition of the batteries as received.
3. Charge them with a standard AC-input 3-stage charger using the voltages recommended by the battery manufacturer. Note: (Thanks Dereck!) Using a 3-stage-capable charger does not necessarily mean using a 3 stage charge profile. If the manufacturer recommends a non-standard profile for initial charge, set your charger up to follow that profile.
4. If you have to run a generator to do this, go ahead, as soon as possible to preserve the health of your batteries, and definitely before using them to supply a load.
5. If this means charging the batteries up individually rather than in their final configuration, go ahead and do that.
6. You want to get the batteries to at least 80% SOC if they are not there already. Above that point it is good to go to full charge, but not quite as urgent.

Others may disagree of have additional suggestions.

[rscranton]

Surette S600 being used - any specific issues to them?

1. Make sure the electrolyte level is at the recommended level, but not overfull since there will be some gassing and expansion. But by all means above the plates.
2. Measure the voltage and SG, in case you later have a concern about the condition of the batteries as received.
3. Charge them with a standard AC-input 3-stage charger using the voltages recommended by the battery manufacturer.
4. If you have to run a generator to do this, go ahead, as soon as possible to preserve the health of your batteries, and definitely before using them to supply a load.
5. If this means charging the batteries up individually rather than in their final configuration, go ahead and do that.
6. You want to get the batteries to at least 80% SOC if they are not there already. Above that point it is good to go to full charge, but not quite as urgent.

Others may disagree of have additional suggestions.

Thank you. I am going to install the Rolls Surette S600 6 volt batteries. Any special issues you can think of with these batteries that might not apply to general applications? Thank you again.

[inetdog]

Thank you. I am going to install the Rolls Surette S600 6 volt batteries. Any special issues you can think of with these batteries that might not apply to general applications? Thank you again.

As Dereck, our long-time Surette user, said: Read the Surette manual for details.
If he thinks that their recommendations are complete and understandable, they are!

[russ]

As Dereck, our long-time Surette user, said: Read the Surette manual for details.
If he thinks that their recommendations are complete and understandable, they are!

What a backward suggestion! Just imagine - read the manual first! Takes all the fun out of it!

[Sunking]

3. Charge them with a standard AC-input 3-stage charger using the voltages recommended by the battery manufacturer.

For the INITIAL charge (page 10) it will not be a 3 stage charge. It will be constant voltage charge at 2.6 vpc (aka Equalization) until SPG has stabilized for 3 hours at 1.255 to 1.275 temperature compensated. That means 62.5 volts for up to 24 hours, and measuring SPG with a lab quality hydrometer and thermometer.



Rolls Manual