Update:
I turned off the charger yesterday, around noon or so, I don't remember exactly when. The basement really smelled of sulphur, and the batteries were boiling over (venting) even though I had only enough water in them to cover the plates when I started.
Now, at 8:00 a.m., they are still bubbling(!), and they sit at 12.79V.
I don't know what to think.
I think I will:
I also have an Argus AA500 which I can first use for a quick test.
I'm thinking I may have shorted cells, from sulfation, which is preventing a full charge, i.e., letting the current drop off; but that doesn't explain the voltage lever seen this morning. I am assuming the equalization charge may be able to blow the sulfation shorts, but I am not sure about this. And, if so, once done what will the battery's capacity be?
Thoughts?
I turned off the charger yesterday, around noon or so, I don't remember exactly when. The basement really smelled of sulphur, and the batteries were boiling over (venting) even though I had only enough water in them to cover the plates when I started.
Now, at 8:00 a.m., they are still bubbling(!), and they sit at 12.79V.
I don't know what to think.
I think I will:
- separate them, i.e., break the parallel connection;
- clean up! Water with baking soda and lots of paper towels;
- measure specific gravity in each cell;
- see if I can equalize them with the power supplies and/or chargers I have - not sure any of them can put out enough current to get them 16.2V (Trojan's recommended equalization charge voltage);
- test capacity with my load tester, at the 20 hour rate.
I also have an Argus AA500 which I can first use for a quick test.
I'm thinking I may have shorted cells, from sulfation, which is preventing a full charge, i.e., letting the current drop off; but that doesn't explain the voltage lever seen this morning. I am assuming the equalization charge may be able to blow the sulfation shorts, but I am not sure about this. And, if so, once done what will the battery's capacity be?
Thoughts?