Dave Platt
Guest
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 Posted:
Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:
Re: high current voltage regulator |
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In article <lvej51ho7329q8557jh73ejpstj8t8roka@news.supernews.com>,
Peter Bennett <peterbb@somewhere.invalid> wrote:
| Quote: | For a 12 volt lead-acid battery, 16.3 volts is an equalizing charge,
and should only be done occasionally.
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As I understand it, the equalizing charge is intended to mix up the
electrolyte. In a flooded-cell lead-acid battery, the electrolyte can
"stratify" into layers of different density - high-density high-acid
fractions at the bottom, and a more dilute electrolyte at the top of
the battery. This stratification can impair the battery's ability to
charge and discharge properly. The equalizing charge _deliberately_
pushes the battery into electrolysis, breaking down some of the
electrolyte's water into hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting
plop-plop-fizz-fizz stirs up the electrolyte and de-stratifies it.
The cost of doing this, of course, is a loss of water in the cells.
The battery's gas-recombination catalyst _might_ be able to recombine
all of the hydrogen and oxygen into water, but I suspect that it
usually can't keep up with the gas flow and that the excess gasses are
lost.
Again as I understand it, gel cells do not require equalizing, and AGM
(glassmat) batteries neither require it nor can tolerate it (they can
be damaged by high charging voltage). I don't think I'd equalize-
charge any sealed lead-acid battery unless the manufacturer
specifically recommended doing so and gave explicit instructions on
voltage and duration. Over-pressuring a sealed battery case could
have nasty results.
One manufacturer of deep-discharge flooded-cell batteries suggests one
equalizing charge per 10 deep discharges.
--
Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!
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