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New System - Reviving AGM Batteries

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  • New System - Reviving AGM Batteries

    Hi,

    I am setting up a new system and am planning on using a set of 2V 800Ah AGM cells that I have been given which have been sitting for approx 12 months (if I can save them) They came out of a 48v System however, I am told only 22 of them are alive so, due to this and other factors I will be setting up a 24V system.

    So, I have 22 Cells of which I am hoping I can revive 12 of to make up the system and get some life out of... I am looking for some advice on whether or not I should charge and test the Cells individually before I go to the trouble of setting them up in the system. If so, how should I go about this process?

    Any info will be much appreciated.

    Thanks in advance
    Jesse

  • #2
    Wow. You have to use a charger of some sort, likely a 40A automotive charger would do the trick. Wire 6 batteries in series, charge for 6 hours, and try the next 6. Keep a close eye on them any that start heating up, are likely nearing end of life. Do this is an area where if one blows, it wont ruin your kitchen cabinets. 6 hours won't fully charge them, but it will give you an indication of which will hold a charge. And calls that are much below 1.5V are likely duds, charge them slowly and carefully.

    So many ways this can go wrong, and only a few where it works out OK.
    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
      Hi Mike, Thanks for your reply.

      Should I test the sitting voltage of the cells individually first and choose the ones with the highest voltages? or, choose the ones which have closest matching voltages?

      Comment


      • #4
        Match the resting voltages, likely the safest.
        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

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