Manual

16 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC. SAMLEX AMERICA INC. | 17
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EQUALIZATION OF LEAD ACID BATTERIES - GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING!
RISK OF EXPLOSION AND EQUIPMENT DAMAGE!
• Equalizingoodedbatterycanproduceexplosivegases.Ensureproperventilationofthe
battery box
• EqualizationmayincreasebatteryvoltagetothelevelthatcandamagesensitiveDC
loads. Ensure that DC input voltage of all DC loads is greater than the Equalizing
Charging Set Point. DC loads not matching Equalization Voltage Set Point
should be disconnected.
!
CAUTION!
• Topuptheelectrolytewithdistilledwateraftercompletionofequalization.
• Excessiveoverchargingandgassingtoovigorouslycandamagethebatteryplatesand
cause shedding of active material from the plates. An equalization that is too high or for
too long can be damaging. Review the requirements for the particular battery being used
in your system.
Equalization is intentional overcharging of the battery for controlled period of time.
Routine equalization cycles are often vital to the performance and life of a battery —
particularly in a solar system where peak sun hours per day are limited and variable and
may not be sufcient to keep the battery in a fully charged condition. Periodic equali-
zation is carried out for proper health and long life of a Lead Acid battery to prevent /
reduce the following undesirable effects:
If the charging process is not complete due to inability of the charger to pro-
vide the required voltage levels or if the battery is left uncharged for a long duration
of time, soft Lead Sulfate crystals on the Positive and Negative plates that are formed
during discharging / self discharge are not fully converted back to Lead Dioxide on the
Positive plate and Sponge Lead on the Negative plate and get hardened and are dif-
cult to dislodge through normal charging. These crystals are non-conducting and hence,
introduce increased internal resistance in the battery. This increased internal resistance
introduces internal voltage drop during charging and discharging. Voltage drop during
charging results in overheating and undercharging and formation of more Lead Sulfate
crystals. Voltages drop on discharging results in overheating and excessive voltage
drop in the terminal voltage of the battery. Overall, this results in poor performance
of the battery. Sulfation may be reduced partially by the stirring / mixing action of the
electrolyte due to gassing and bubbling because of intentional overcharging during the
Equalization Stage.
Electrolyte stratication can occur in all types of ooded
SECTION 4 | Operation