Homebrewed Electricity > Storage

Golf cart battery equalization questions

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debequechute:
As noted in the intro, the center string of 8 6V (generic, brand unknown) batteries has a specific gravity of 1275, but the upper and lower banks show about 1175. Water levels are about the same. I'm using a trace 4048 inverter as the charge controller from a generator input.
Question on equalization: would it be better to disconnect the center string and try to bring the other two up in SG before beginning equalization? Maybe one string at a time?
Is 62V about right for an equalization voltage on a 48V string?
Given the above SG readings, is it the center string with the higher SG doing all the work or the other two?

debequechute:
To further confuse me: I just broke apart the strings to measure each, and all three are right at 50.2V no load/charge. Doesn't that mean they are all fully charged? Why would the specific gravity be so far off when the water levels are essentially equal? These batteries are all from the same lot.

veewee77:
question. . .
in the circuit. . . the batteries are series strings paralleled together, right?
OK. is the charge wires in the center of the strings like:
Example 1
   here

    *

+ + + + +

8 - 8 - 8

- - - - -

    *

   here
or are they wired like this:
Example 2
here

*

+ + + + +

8 - 8 - 8

- - - - -

        *

      here
If the charge wires are in the center, it could be that those are getting the best charge.
Adjust the wiring as in example 2 so that each battery string has a better chance for an equal charge.
Doug

Off grid in Tonopah:
I think the difference in the S.G. your seeing is stratification and a good equalization should help out
                                                   Bob

whatsnext:
It could also be that the batteries have been treated differeny over the years. Definately equalise batteries is series strings only. You can adjust SG later if it's a big issue to you.

John.......

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