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Will my solar regulator gas my AGMs?

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  • Will my solar regulator gas my AGMs?

    I am in a bit worried and need some help.

    Batteries (Marathon L6V160)
    The manual for my batteries say that they should be charged at 2,27V per cell at 20°C.
    I guess there are 3 cells in each block. 3 x 2,27= 6,81V
    4 batteries in series (24V system) 4x 6,81= 27,27V

    (The batteries can be boost charged is at 2,35-2,40V at 20°C)

    Solar regulator (Tracer 4210RN)
    The regulator can be set for only 3 charging options
    GEL, SEALED and FLOODED (se attachment)

    All three alternatives have a float voltage charge at 13,8V x 2 = 27,6V at 25°C
    Hmm. 27,6V gives me 27,6V / 4 = 6,9V per battery and 6,9V/3 = 2,3V per cell which is way of the chart (se attachment)

    Regulator temperature compensation coefficient = -30mV/°C/12V (25°C ref.)
    My research tells me that the temperature differences just make it worse and that the charger will compensate the wrong way, giving me an even higher voltage when charging at 20°C.



    I’m I missing anything?
    Are my calculations correct?
    Perhaps this isn’t a big deal or will I ruin my battery pack if I hook tis up?

    Please help.

    By the way, the suns just come out here in Stockholm
    Have a great day
    /O
    Attached Files

  • #2
    That voltage is a bit (0.3V) high, and may mean the difference between long or short lifetime.

    Is there any voltage trim on the controller ?

    How much sun do you have forecast for the system, do you have ample solar PV, or marginal ? If you only plan on spending short times in float, it won't be bad. If you are absent for days and the battery sits at high float, you will damage it.

    edit
    manual at
    http://www.epsolarpv.com/en/index.ph.../444/am_id/136
    indicates no adjustment possible. If you have not bought the product yet, keep looking for another one, or return/exchange it, or consider flooded batteries you can add water to.
    Last edited by Mike90250; 02-28-2013, 02:55 AM.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks for the input Mike.
      I will have the batteries at float most of the time.

      So ok. I'll start looking into another regulator.
      I have 570W of panels yet to mount. I’m thinking of buying more so I need a regulator that will grow with me. Preferably a MPPT regulator.
      Any suggestions of one which you can customize the float voltage? Any make that you guys have been extra fond happy of?


      By the way, suns going down now in Stockholm.
      Cheers
      /Oliver

      Comment


      • #4
        I like the Midnight Classic controllers. Lots of features. not sure of shipping to your area.
        http://www.midnitesolar.com/
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
          That voltage is a bit (0.3V) high, and may mean the difference between long or short lifetime.

          Is there any voltage trim on the controller ?

          How much sun do you have forecast for the system, do you have ample solar PV, or marginal ? If you only plan on spending short times in float, it won't be bad. If you are absent for days and the battery sits at high float, you will damage it.

          edit
          manual at
          http://www.epsolarpv.com/en/index.ph.../444/am_id/136
          indicates no adjustment possible. If you have not bought the product yet, keep looking for another one, or return/exchange it, or consider flooded batteries you can add water to.
          Hmmm. Another short fall for that CC.

          I know it costs less then other name brand MPPT CC's but seems to have more limitations. It certainly reduces the types of batteries you can use with it.

          Thanks for pointing that out Mike.

          Comment


          • #6
            That controller is not very robust. There is no difference in Float voltages for all 3 battery types. At first I was going to say select VRLA because that is what an AGM is. But Float for all 3 are 13.8 which is very close for AGM depending on the manufacture. Typical Gel @ 13.2-13.4, FLA @ 13.6, and AGM @ 13.8. At 13.8 is 2.3 vpc which is really close and should be OK for daily use. If I were you I would select Gel because it has no Equalize stage. I take that back if it were me I would get a different controller.

            FWIW 2.3 vpc is not way off the chart from 2.27 vpc a difference of .03 volts. Its close. Doubtful your meter is that accurate. It is a difference of slightly less than 1% . If the controller has Temperature Compensation, put the batteries in a cool location and the temp probe in a warmer location and that should get you spot on. In other words keep the probe a few degrees warmer than the batteries.
            MSEE, PE

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Sunking View Post
              That controller is not very robust. There is no difference in Float voltages for all 3 battery types. At first I was going to say select VRLA because that is what an AGM is. But Float for all 3 are 13.8 which is very close for AGM depending on the manufacture. Typical Gel @ 13.2-13.4, FLA @ 13.6, and AGM @ 13.8. At 13.8 is 2.3 vpc which is really close and should be OK for daily use. If I were you I would select Gel because it has no Equalize stage. I take that back if it were me I would get a different controller.
              Even the Sealed battery Boost voltage at 14.4v (2.4V/cell) is at the limit for those Marathon L6V160 batteries.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by SunEagle View Post
                Even the Sealed battery Boost voltage at 14.4v (2.4V/cell) is at the limit for those Marathon L6V160 batteries.
                I know it is a POS controller.
                MSEE, PE

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Sunking View Post
                  I know it is a POS controller.
                  Well maybe for AGM and Sealed batteries. Looks like it will work with most FLA type.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by SunEagle View Post
                    Well maybe for AGM and Sealed batteries. Looks like it will work with most FLA type.
                    Not so sure about that because FLA floats a little lower at 13.6 or 2.25 vpc where AGM is around 2.3 vpc.
                    MSEE, PE

                    Comment

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