Re: Optima equalizing questions

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

Paul G wrote:
> What kind of voltages do you expect to see when equalizing Optimas?
> I gave them 1.5 amps for 1/2 hour, followed by 1.0 amps for 20 minutes
> (about 1ah pushed into a charged battery instead of 2ah)... at the end
> of the 1/2 hour - all batteries between 16.70 volts and 17.21 volts!

I would say you are equalizing too much. Voltages this high on a routine
basis are not good.

Once a sealed battery goes into overcharge, the main reaction that was
limiting the voltage (charging) is gone. The voltage goes much higher
and become unstable, now being controlled by gassing and recombination
rates and temperature.

If all 12v battery voltages in the string are over 15v at a current less
than 1-2% of their amp-hour capacity, they are already equalized; you
don't need to continue. The only reason to equalize is because one or
more batteries is not yet in this condition.
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen