"Stop at two hours, let battery rest, check specific gravity." ... which is the center of my question. SG for my batteries is 1275 and they are already there without EQ
EQ does a few things:
#1 It serves to re-balance the individual series cells by applying a controlled over charge , a 12V battery has six 2V cells in series, EQ
ing helps to brings the low cells up to 100% SOC. If all cells are already in balance then the EQ is not really needed for "balance" purposes. If you're routinely charging at 14.7V to 14.8V I've found the need to EQ, for "balance" issues, diminishes quite a bit. However if you were charging at only 14.2V to 14.4V (old school FLA charging mentality) series cell balance issues will be more prevalent.
#2 It can help to shed some of the dead and clustered lead sulfate from the surfaces of the cells thus allowing more usable cell surface area to be usable.
#3 It can help to reconvert
savable lead sulfate back into active material (Savable = lead sulfate in the Emergency Room on life support). Capacity loss, from dead non-reconverted lead sulfate can become
permanent in less than 30 days. EQ
ing once every 20-25 days +/-, for at least 30 minutes or so, for a 24/7 PSOC use cruiser, is the best course of action beyond a higher absorption voltage. Higher absorption voltages held long enough do help reduce the need for EQ
ing..
#4 Stirs up the electrolyte and helps minimize the effects of electrolyte stratification. This is not usually a big issue on boats using a 14.7V to 14.8V absorption but is a bigger issue in off-grid / stationary use.