Concerns with using Equalize on batteries

[rlamb]

All,
On my 2004 466 (bough last year) I have 3 4D size Lifeline AGM batteries in parallel. For the first time last night I ran the "Equalize" function on my Xantrex 2500W charger and for 8 hours it really smelled strong from the batteries. I was concerned as the floor over wherfe the battereis are housed was also warm. Have others done this and had any issues with the process? The Lifeline papers recommend this but hope I didnt harm the 3 batteries (expensive)!

 

[Maine Sail]

All,
On my 2004 466 (bough last year) I have 3 4D size Lifeline AGM batteries in parallel. For the first time last night I ran the "Equalize" function on my Xantrex 2500W charger and for 8 hours it really smelled strong from the batteries. I was concerned as the floor over wherfe the battereis are housed was also warm. Have others done this and had any issues with the process? The Lifeline papers recommend this but hope I didnt harm the 3 batteries (expensive)!

What temp were the batteries at and what was the terminal voltage? I equalize/condition a lot of Lifelines and they don't normally "smell" like a flooded battery does when equalized.

I also equalize them individually and at the lowest possible current to maintain 15.5V but this really can't be done with most inverter/chargers....

You may have a bad cell, bad vent cap or it could just be normal venting for three batteries equalized together. I don't equalize more than one battery at a time, for safety reasons, so I can't really comment well on the smell of three 4D's equalized in parallel together. All I can say is that when I equalize Lifeline's they don't normally smell like flooded batts do...

 

[Stu Jackson]

Was the bank fully charged before you started?

 

[rlamb]

The batteries were fully charged when I started the equalize. I dont know the temp as the batteries are under the floor (screwed down) and I didnt open it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Maine Sail has recommended care during equalization, which includes, IIRC,

2 hours at a time, check the batteries

do one battery in a bank at a time.

The Ample Power Primer says: Apply that current to the battery for about 4 hours, or until the battery voltage rises to 16.2 Volts.

8 hours without stopping sounds like overkill (pi).

 

[rlamb]

I understand. The Xantrex 2500 Charger on the boat has an 8 hour equalize cycle so I let it run until it shut off. I'm back on the boat and all seems fine now. In the future I may just run it a shorter period of time as it does allow you to cancel the equalize function.

 

[seadaddler]

equalize

I have the 2500 freedom inverter /charger and let it charge my 4-6 volt
T-105 Trojan's all 1 bank and let it do it over night but do take the battery box covers off check for full charge and take the battery caps off and let the inverter do it job.
I have been doing it this way for about 2 years now and Trojan's web site said
to equalize every month but I do it every few months I let my solar charge my batteries most of the time and use my batteries a lot for cruising trips and my ref is on 24/7 12 volt and a few fans running most of the time.
Nick

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine Sail has recommended care during equalization, which includes, IIRC,

2 hours at a time, check the batteries

do one battery in a bank at a time.

The Ample Power Primer says: Apply that current to the battery for about 4 hours, or until the battery voltage rises to 16.2 Volts.

8 hours without stopping sounds like overkill (pi).

Stu,

These are Lifeline AGM batteries. There is no specific gravity to check. Lifeline wants 15.5V temp compensated for 8 hours for the "conditioning charge".......