Friends:
I maintain a system with 16 AGM L-16 batteries. Eight were installed in September of 2021 and 8 were added in March of 2022. This is 5 months apart. I have understood that when you install a string of batteries you have one year in which to add another string before the first string ages to the point it is contraindicated. When I added the second 8 I put 4 new batteries and 4 old batteries in each string. About a third of the batteries are discovered to bulging on top. I assume this means the batteries are damaged. I checked the FXR and Outback Extreme Charge controller settings and all were set to absorb at 58.8, and float at 55.2, as the manufacturer recommends. I downloaded the charge controller log and got 129 days of data. In that log I see 68 days where the batteries exceeded 60 VDC. This is over half the days. I wonder this: 1. Why did the voltage go up above 58.8 on so many days even though it was set at 58.8. (I set the EQ voltage at 58.8 just in case, but EQ was never engaged.) 2. Did the excess voltage damage the batteries? Any input is appreciated. Sincerely, William Miller Miller Solar 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 805-438-5600 www.millersolar.com CA Lic. 773985
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other: https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: http://www.members.re-wrenches.org