22 Years' Battery Customization
Jul 13, 2021 Pageview：1865
When you purchase a new set of batteries, you will come across some terms such as equalizer and equalization. What do those terms mean, and what does that have to do with batteries? Don’t worry, because we are here to talk all about the terms mentioned just now.
Battery Charger With Equalization Feature
Before we get to know the relation between batteries and equalizers, it’s important for us to know what an equalizer is.
A battery equalization is a device that distributes energy from one battery to another linked battery in order to balance the voltage of the battery system. When the battery is attached, the battery equalizer can compensate both parties to make sure the energy is distributed equally. To keep each battery at the same voltage level, the battery equalizer employs an active energy transfer mechanism. Solar batteries, RV batteries, Golf Cart Batteries, and any other battery bank may all benefit from it.
The quantity of batteries you have and the voltage of the batteries will determine the battery equalizer you use. Equalizers are typically available for 12V, 24V, 48V, 60V, 72V, and 96V battery configurations on the market. Victron energy manufactures the 12V equalizer. Equalizers for 24V, 48V, 60V, 72V, and 96V are available from zhcsolar.
The kind of battery determines which equalization to use. The Vicron battery equalization is solely for lead-acid and AGM batteries, but the zhc solar equalizer comes in two varieties. The HA series may be used to equalize lithium ion batteries such as lead acid (VRLA), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), nickel cadmium secondary batteries (Ni/CD), and nickel metal hydride secondary batteries (Ni/MH).
If you want to do equalization, the best way to do it is by using a power supply such as Mastech 3010EX or Mastech 3020EX. Here are the steps to do equalizer with power supply:
Step 1. Charge the battery until it reaches 100 percent SOC. Do not attempt to EQ a battery that is not fully charged.
Step 2. Charge to maximum capacity using the suggested absorption voltage from the manufacturer, such as 14.8V for Trojan FLA or 14.4V for Lifeline AGM. Allow the current to decrease to the point where it virtually stops decreasing to define "full." This will generally be less than 1% of flooded capacity or less than 0.5 percent of Lifeline AGM capacity.
Step 3. Remove the battery caps (not the Lifeline) and check for proper electrolyte levels before replacing them. NOTE: If you have a Hydrocap or Water-Miser type battery cap fitted, you should not EQ. Keep your original caps.
Step 4. Unless the power supply includes a dedicated voltage sensing circuit, set the power supply voltage to 15.5V - 16.0V while not connected to the battery. Make sure your voltage is measured at the battery terminals and is temperature adjusted according to the battery manufacturer's specifications.To make it short, if your manufacturer claims you can EQ at 15.5V @80F, you can't EQ at 15.5V @95F, and the voltage must be adjusted down for the real battery temperature.
Step 5. Slowly lower the current slider DOWN after the battery has reached the required EQ voltage of 15.5V-16.0V at the battery terminals. If the battery fails during the EQ, reducing the current to the lowest necessary to maintain the appropriate EQ voltage prevents a dead short of 10A, 20A, 30A +.
When EQing older, deteriorated batteries, utilize the lowest current feasible to achieve the required EQ target voltage. All that is required for successful equalization is enough current to keep the EQ voltage at the correct level.
Step 6. Stop after two hours, let the battery recharge, and then verify the specific gravity. If all cells aren't balanced yet, restart the EQ and check the SG on the half-hour or hour. If required, repeat the process.
Step 7. Make sure not to walk away during the process. If leaving the process is a must, then turn off the charger to prevent the risk of danger.
Battery Charger With Equalization Mode
It is difficult to find chargers with equalization mode or features automatically attached to them. When this article was written, we found one charger with such a feature. The charger’s name is Precision Charger MK 318 PC, a charger released by Minn Kota.
However, there are individual battery equalizers sold separately online. Or as stated in the previous section, you can use DC home supply to do it.
Once you have the equalizer, you can do the equalizing process to any battery. As a matter of fact, no matter what the function of the battery pack is, you'll require an electric battery equalization as long as it's imbalanced.
Autos, boats, golf carts, motorcycles, solar, trucks, RVs, electric forklift batteries, solar system, and any other battery bank configuration should use Battery Equalizer. When a battery charger is attached, the balancer also functions.
When should you equalize batteries?
Many experts advocate equalizing batteries on a regular basis, anything from once a month to once or twice a year. There are some, however, who has different opinion. After completely charging a battery, Trojan advises equalizing only if low or wide-ranging specific gravity (>0.030) is observed.
Equalizing a battery has plenty of benefits, such as equalizing the battery’s voltage. The voltage was imbalanced in the charging and discharging operation before applying the equalization. Some batteries have a high voltage, while others have a low voltage, which can have a significant impact on the battery's service life.
As seen above, equalizing the battery is actually a pivotal process we need to do. It can bring balance to the battery’s voltage, and this can result in a prolonged life of the battery. It is hard to find chargers with automatic equalizer mode though, so it’s best to get home supply and do it by yourself. Or, you can find individual equalizers and use it. Are you ready to equalize your battery and prolong their lives?
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