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Jim Wilkins[_2_] Jim Wilkins[_2_] is offline
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Default AliExpress experience?

"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 27 Feb 2018 16:52:41 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:

"Larry Jaques" wrote in message
. ..
On Mon, 26 Feb 2018 09:05:48 -0500, "Jim Wilkins"
wrote:


I was amazed at my ten years on the Tundra battery, so you should
be
in awe of the 17 years. The battery, charging system, and user
were
all in sync, a very unusual occurrence.


As batteries age they may require more than the normal vehicle
charging voltage.
http://shop.pkys.com/Battery-Equalization_ep_44.html


The better solar controllers have both an auto and manually
programmed
EQ switch. What bothers me is that the default with the switch on
auto is 2hrs of EQ every 2 days. Seems a bit too frequent, doesn't
it? That's from the Midnite Classic 150. 96A (@12v), 150v max PV,
MPPT, 12-72v battery bank.


I set my P20L solar controller to limit at the float voltage and never
equalize. If the house batteries need it I'll take them outdoors and
use a variable voltage charger. SLI31s are the largest batteries I can
carry up and down stairs with one hand, the other free for the
handrail or doorknob.

I turn up my LM350 charger until the current reads 0.5 - 1 Amp,
being
careful not to go too high and damage any electronics. Usually 15V
is
enough for a road vehicle battery that still has enough capacity to
start, the U1R in my garden tractor which gets less use sometimes
needs 17V.


Low and slow amperage. No reason to upgrade to an LM338?


I think the order of LM338s I received was counterfeit. The limiting
item is the 30V/3A current meter, which has much better voltage and
current resolution than the 30V/10A model. I also use an LM317 that
limits at 1.5A, and that is enough for the 105A-h SLI31s and
everything smaller.

When the current falls below 1% of the Amp-hour capacity at =14.0V
I
consider the charging complete. Those numbers vary somewhat among
manufacturers.


How often do you check it?


A battery could be left on that topping-off setting for days because
the current is low.

I think this forced current, voltage-adaptive charging is the secret
to long battery life.


Interesting. (Saving this post.)


I run a generator when I need a lot of power for a short time,...


It's amazing how much sound comes from the engine itself, rather
than
from the exhaust, and baffles reduce both significantly.


Fiberglass pipe insulation over the muffler outlet barely changed the
sound. The acoustic tile box should be enough to conceal it from
thieves driving by. I can't hear it from the street if a car is within
1/4 mile.

corrugated roofing panels in wet weather. I should probably upgrade
it
to a more hurricane- and blizzard-proof model.


Indeed. Maybe go subterranean in a hillside with drain and a flat
roof to muffle sound and defeat wind/snow?


I have a rock drill and a hillside in the right place, but not a
blasting licence to cut in to it. This year's summer project is
digging some exploratory holes and trenches.

-jsw