Hi,
The batteries I'm using are Sonnenschein A400 series, 12V 12Ah ones.
Rechecked the datasheet (see my file-uploads, a .pdf-file at the bottom of my files) and it does specify an equalization voltage. I must further study this datasheet though.
Am checking the last batteries; of the 8 A400's, one was a dud; another one was at only 88%, but perfectly useable. The other types of batteries I took are all defect.
So I'll be going back to get me more Sonnenschein batteries; 20 to 30, I'm planning. If only 50-60% of these are ok, I'm happy :-)
Have just modified my UPS to connect external batteries (installed two battery plugs).
After the tip from wpwokal (I think it was him) to check the faq & otherpower site, I've learnt alot more. Also, there was an interesting link to another site, that was entirely on batteries; it had a downloadable file called 'battery.zip', the entire website in one zip-file.
I'm learning more & more on batteries; thanks for all the links, will check them out ASAP.
Funny how quickly you get to know your batteries; for the first three Sonnenscheins, I've made discharge curves (measuring voltage vs. time, 2 hour test, load 4.5A (.375C). Normally this test takes 1h40' to complete (for a battery at 95% capacity) (it's de-rated because of high discharge current; all in the datasheet, you end up with 8Ah instead of the 12Ah). But I can tell in the first 10 minutes of testing the battery whether it will be a good or bad one; even tell its capacity, to an accuracy of 1-2%... Was amazed by this myself. So I'm sure that you guys with RE-batteries get to know your batteries pretty well (perhaps like you know your pets ?)
Paul, you have a different battery-series from mine, but if you look at the Sonnenschein website, you should be able to find a datasheet for the A200 & A500; I found one for mine somewhere on the internet, think it was the Sonnenschein website but not sure.
Hope my batteries will die of old age, and not be murdered :-), unwillingly.
Peter,
The Netherlands.