Equalize?

[topgun2]

For those that have the Trojan T-105's:

 

Does anyone ever really equalize these batteries?  If yes, how?

 

Thanks!

 

Bill

[SeaDawg]

We have agm batteries. I believe that the general consensus is to not equalize with agm batteries.

 

When we had flooded batteries,and solar, years ago, we didn't equalize then, either.

At least, not that I recall . comments?

Sherry

[bradbev]

Many charge systems are set to equalize periodically.   I noticed my ZAMP solar controller had the 4 T105's up to 15 volts.  Later back down to the 13's.

[topgun2]

Sherry -  yes, you are correct - do not equalize AGM's

 

Bradbev - Even though I have the older solar controller, it too has the automatic equalize function.  However, I've been told that the 320 watts of solar simply do not have enough "juice" to perform the equalize function and when trying to use mine the voltage never gets above just over 14 volts.  Thus the original question.

 

Bill

[ScubaRx]

The blue sky system can be set up to equalize your T105 batteries. There is a dip switch that needs to be turned on and settings in the IPN controller that have to be activated.

 

Bill, you might want to turn your voltage up in the controller.

[topgun2]

Steve - I did the dip switch and the settings in the IPN controller.  However, I've not taken a look at the voltage settings - I assume that they are in the IPN?

 

Bill

[mountainoliver]

Bill, you are correct. The programming is done thru the IPN Pro Remote. I just set up my new Blue Sky system using values that I found in the forums. These values came from Trojan for the flooded cell T-105’s and are input into the IPN in levels 2 & 3. I think there about 5 or 6 values in each level. I don’t have my notes in front of me but, the IPN programmer is straight forward and not too difficult to work thru. It should only take just a few minutes to input all the values.

[mountainoliver]

Correction: battery parameters such as equalize time etc.  are input on menus 3 & 4 NOT 2 & 3! That’s what I get for not having the manual in front of me.

[topgun2]

Given that Twist is currently in storage with the solar panels disconnected from the batteries, I've not re-visited this subject.  However, in another 6 or 7 weeks I will uncover the panels and switch everything back on so that I can have them top off the batteries.  Generally I leave Twist uncovered for 2 or 3 days during this period.  That will give me a good chance to get back to this.  Thanks for looking it up!

 

Bill

[trumpetguy]

I have a combo of two AGMs and two T105s.  After almost 18 months the Specific gravity in the Trojans was in the “fair” region so I decided to equalize the Trojans.  I disconnected the AGMs from my inverter charger and selected the “equalize”option.  I was plugged into shore power at the time.  The voltage meter immediately jumped to 15.1 and I could hear the batteries bubbling.  After four hours the charger went back to float.  A re checked the specific gravity and all cells are now in the green zone so it looks like the equalizer did its job.

 

When I owned 64 Blue Sky told me 320watts of solar would not equalize batteries.  You may need to remove the batteries and take them to a facility with a high voltage charger.