Poll

The best time to add water is:

When batteries are full, before equalizing
In the middle of equalizing, charge continues to flow
In the middle of equalizing, stopping the charge long enough to water
After equalizing
You're supposed to water batteries?

Author Topic: Equalization and watering  (Read 5436 times)

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Offline MadScientist267

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Equalization and watering
« on: February 25, 2013, 01:14:49 am »
Wondering the best approach here. I can think of pros and cons to each method.

Curious what you guys think.

Steve
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Offline DBCollen

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2013, 09:40:56 am »
Rolls says make sure the plates are covered before starting eq, and fill them when eq has finished
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Offline WooferHound

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2013, 01:44:30 pm »
Water will expand as the charge goes higher. If you fill before equalization is finished, the battery could overflow.
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Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2013, 11:00:58 pm »
Hmmm... See both ways make sense to me, which is why I thought maybe a pause in the middle could have benefits... Follow me for a sec ;)

Equalization is THE most water consuming process a battery experiences, I doubt anyone would argue that. So its no surprise that any manufacturer would recommend adding some water before the process starts. The last thing you want is exposed plates... Oh how I know this is true. :-\

Watering before hand, score 1.

Anyone who paid why mind to 3rd grade science would also agree that the water level will rise during equalization. The cells will warm up, everything expands, water is the most forgiving constituent and will be the component to move out of the way. With nowhere to go but up, it needs to be given room to do so.

So that's an argument toward watering at the end.

Then there's striation. Adding water after the stirring stops seems as though it would leave the recently added (and lighter) water floating at the top.

So is it possible then, that something like the following could be the best of both worlds?

1. Ensure plates are covered, with some margin to allow some of the water to boil off during gassing.
2. Perform the majority of the equalization.
3. Pause equalization near the normal end of the process (SG equal, or you "just feel good about it", however you personally determine the stopping point).
4. Fill the cells to the recommended level (1/8" from bottom of well, etc)
5. Resume equalization for a short time to ensure that the electrolyte is homogenously mixed.

Repeat steps 3-5 if for some reason there is still an imbalance visually in the levels between cells...

Yes? No? Thoughts?

Steve
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Offline rossw

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 11:41:59 pm »
Then there's striation.

I THINK you mean stratification.

Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2013, 11:46:23 pm »
Then there's striation.

I THINK you mean stratification.

Yes, thank you Ross :)

Steve
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Offline MadScientist267

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2013, 03:01:48 pm »
Quote from: MadScientist267
Yes? No? Thoughts?

Is this thing on?

Getting ready to add water again, wanted input on my modified procedure suggestion before I do so... For, against, or otherwise. I'm not against doing what manuals say, but they disagree quite a bit on the finer details on this...

Let's face it, the better these things get treated, the longer they last and the better they perform. I like that idea, cuz it means less $$$. :)

Steve
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Offline WooferHound

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Re: Equalization and watering
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2013, 08:21:19 pm »
My thought is that, it doesn't really matter that much, as long as you don't expose the plates or boil it over
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