[KYHAM] Tyler Battery Equalization.

[David A. Smith]

Hi Tyler,

Automotive SLI (starting, lighting and ignition) batteries should require no
equalizing charge. The vehicle charges them in excess of 14 volts and
provides plenty of agnation (at least on Michigan roads) to keep the
electrolyte from becoming stratified.

 The purpose of an equalization charge in lead acid batteries in standby
service is to correct minor imbalances in the cells individual specific
gravity and cause enough gassing to correct stratification of the sulphuric
acid solution in each cell.  Otherwise the specific gravity of the cells may
become too heavy at the bottom.

If you are using a battery in standby service, some distilled water may be
need AFTER the equalizing charge.  A full charge will raise the electrolyte
level in the battery and if filled when discharged can cause the electrolyte
to overflow.

An equalizing charge is actually a process of cell balancing.  the usual
charge is for 3 to 6 hours at the rate of 5 amps per 100 ampere hours of
battery capacity.

Make sure you are not confusing the battery's cold cranking amperes with
ampere hour capacity.  It is difficult to equate cold cranking current to
battery capacity because the cranking function is the figure of merit for
SLI service.  A 12 V 540 AH battery for SLI or golf cart traction service
will easily weigh several hundred pounds or more.  However, a truck battery
with 540 cold cranking amperes would weigh about 100 pounds or so.

Cold cranking amps is a function mainly of plate area, so they are made very
thin.  Traction or trolling batteries have thicker plates to achieve higher
energy storage capacity.  Battery conditioning is something usually done
when the battery is build to test its rated capacity followed by cleaning
and the application of warning labels in at least three languages with more
on the way.

I hope that this is helpful.  Considering the work that you are doing, I
recommend the following book:


   Handbook Of Batteries
Author(s): David Linden  Thomas Reddy
ISBN: 0071359788
DOI: 10.1036/0071359788
Format: Hardcover, 450 illus. , 1200 pages.
Pub date: August 30, 2001
Copyright: 2002
$125.00 US
Product Line: McGraw-Hill Professional
Related Titles by Category:
• Technology & Engineering -- Engineering / Electrical

I have the 1984 edition and find it invaluable for battery specification and
maintenance criteria.
---------

Concerning code speed improvement, I agree 100& with Steve N4LQ on how to
achieve the desired results.

David Alkire Smith W8YZ
dsmith at smithassoc.com