Equalization, Do you, and if so..

[one_dusty_hoot]

In a charging system consisting of 6-6v deep cycle batteries
there are 3 strings of 2 each 6 volt batteries. Without
equalization one string could carry more of the load because
of battery cell differences of the 18 individual cells.

To receive optimum performance and maximum life from your
battery charged system it is said to equalize on a periodic
basis. Equalization comes about in the cells when the charger
voltage is brought to 15.5-16.0 VDC for a specified time.

See the merits of battery cell equalization here, a lengthy
rather long-haired article.
http://www.tiny.cc/Equalization

I don't know about all coaches but on mine the common positive
point of these three strings is the post on the starter. In
order to prevent the instrumentation from getting this higher
voltage the positive point would have to be lifted/removed to
insolate the voltage sensitive equipment. Quite troublesome.

Do you equalize your coach batteries periodically?
If you do, do you remove or isolate your electronic equipment?
If you do and don't isolate the electronics by turning everything
"off", at least that you know of, have you had any detrimental
damage?

Thanks for your replies.
Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC

[Tom Warner]

Bob equalization should only be done if you have individual cells
that are below the specific gravity of the rest. use a hygrometer to
test the individual cells of the batteries (list them for each
battery, 1,2,3) and when you are done check to see if any are out of
line. If they are make sure everything is turned off inside and then
set your charger to equalization and let her rip. I am assuming you
have a charger with this feature.
tom





At 10:20 PM 9/10/2006, you wrote:

>In a charging system consisting of 6-6v deep cycle batteries
>there are 3 strings of 2 each 6 volt batteries. Without
>equalization one string could carry more of the load because
>of battery cell differences of the 18 individual cells.
>
>To receive optimum performance and maximum life from your
>battery charged system it is said to equalize on a periodic
>basis. Equalization comes about in the cells when the charger
>voltage is brought to 15.5-16.0 VDC for a specified time.
>
>See the merits of battery cell equalization here, a lengthy
>rather long-haired article.
>http://www.tiny.cc/Equalization
>
>I don't know about all coaches but on mine the common positive
>point of these three strings is the post on the starter. In
>order to prevent the instrumentation from getting this higher
>voltage the positive point would have to be lifted/removed to
>insolate the voltage sensitive equipment. Quite troublesome.
>
>Do you equalize your coach batteries periodically?
>If you do, do you remove or isolate your electronic equipment?
>If you do and don't isolate the electronics by turning everything
>"off", at least that you know of, have you had any detrimental
>damage?
>
>Thanks for your replies.
>Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

[John Suter]

Best to do homework before considering "equalization"
to determine applicable battery types and methods.
Typically, websites of battery manufacturers will
provide advice for their types of batteries.

John Suter


--- Tom Warner wrote:

> Bob equalization should only be done if you have
> individual cells
> that are below the specific gravity of the rest.
> use a hygrometer to
> test the individual cells of the batteries (list
> them for each
> battery, 1,2,3) and when you are done check to see
> if any are out of
> line. If they are make sure everything is turned off
> inside and then
> set your charger to equalization and let her rip. I
> am assuming you
> have a charger with this feature.
> tom
>
>
>
>
>
> At 10:20 PM 9/10/2006, you wrote:
>
> >In a charging system consisting of 6-6v deep cycle
> batteries
> >there are 3 strings of 2 each 6 volt batteries.
> Without
> >equalization one string could carry more of the
> load because
> >of battery cell differences of the 18 individual
> cells.
> >
> >To receive optimum performance and maximum life
> from your
> >battery charged system it is said to equalize on a
> periodic
> >basis. Equalization comes about in the cells when
> the charger
> >voltage is brought to 15.5-16.0 VDC for a specified
> time.
> >
> >See the merits of battery cell equalization here, a
> lengthy
> >rather long-haired article.
> >http://www.tiny.cc/Equalization
> >
> >I don't know about all coaches but on mine the
> common positive
> >point of these three strings is the post on the
> starter. In
> >order to prevent the instrumentation from getting
> this higher
> >voltage the positive point would have to be
> lifted/removed to
> >insolate the voltage sensitive equipment. Quite
> troublesome.
> >
> >Do you equalize your coach batteries periodically?
> >If you do, do you remove or isolate your electronic
> equipment?
> >If you do and don't isolate the electronics by
> turning everything
> >"off", at least that you know of, have you had any
> detrimental
> >damage?
> >
> >Thanks for your replies.
> >Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>


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