Equalizing Batteries

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Attempted to equalize baqtteries yesterday...only two of the four batteries equalized. Checked the schematic on the pullout tray and all was correct. The two batteries that equlized were the ones with the + and - cables on the terminals those with the jumpers did not boil.
Anyone have an idea of what is wrong?
Also noticed that there are + and - cables cables attached to the jumpered batteries that are not referenced on the schematic.
Anyone know what they are?
I have the 2000 watt RV2012 xantrex inverter, 8KVW gen tec generator, Hydro hot, etc.
Appreciate your help and information

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Attempted to equalize baqtteries yesterday...only two of the four batteries equalized. Checked the schematic on the pullout tray and all was correct. The two batteries that equlized were the ones with the + and - cables on the terminals those with the jumpers did not boil.
Anyone have an idea of what is wrong?
Also noticed that there are + and - cables cables attached to the jumpered batteries that are not referenced on the schematic.
Anyone know what they are?
I have the 2000 watt RV2012 xantrex inverter, 8KVW gen tec generator, Hydro hot, etc.
Appreciate your help and information

[Spikester]

Ronnie, are all your batteries the same age?

If batteries are not the same age they can have extremely different charging characteristics. Generally speaking older batteries will take a higher voltage to equalize than newer batteries, also will take higher voltages to gas. Therefore it will be hard to equalize them all, or even obtain the same capacity on all cells when normal charging.

Best way to tell if they equalized is by using a hydrometer, (if you have one) to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Specific gravities should be relative the same on all cells of your batteries. Check the specs on your particular batteries for the 100% charge specific gravity.

Spike

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Battery age is the same...specific gravity is the same...in the white about 11.75. I will go back and check again

[Spikester]

If all of your gravities are relatively the same on all your cells, then I would say you have equalized your batteries. Generally the purpose of an equalizer charge is to correct low cell/cells voltages/gravities/performance. Hence the term equalizer. With the l.175 gravities I would say that you have been discharging your batteries since you completed your charge, 1.175 indicates that your batteries are at about 25 percent capacity. Normally would expect gravities to be up in the 1.270 range at the completion of an equalizer charge depending on the type and manufacture of your batteries. Once your batteries have set the gravity will drop a little due to electrolyte cooling but if setting without load should remain really high until discharged.

Spike

[Spikester]

Heres some info I put together about equalize charging of your batteries. Compiled from Trojan and Interstate Web sites. Table is relative to Trojan batteries, but is good reference/relative for most lead-acid deep cycle RV batteries.

Equalizing is an overcharge performed on flooded lead-acid batteries after they have been <span class="ev_code_BLUE">fully charged</span>. It helps eliminate stratification and sulfation, two conditions that can reduce the overall performance of a battery.

Recommend equalizing only when low or wide ranging cell specific gravity (+/- .015) is detected after <span class="ev_code_BLUE">fully charging a battery</span>.

Procedure
1. Remove all loads from batteries.
2. Start equalizing mode with battery charger.
3. Batteries should begin gassing and bubbling vigorously.
4. Take Specific gravities every hour.
5. Equalization is complete when specific gravity values no longer rise during the gassing state.


% State
of Charge
Specific Gravity
Corrected to
80 Deg F* Open Circuit Voltage
6 Volt 12 Volt
100 1.277 6.37 12.73
90 1.258 6.31 12.62
80 1.238 6.25 12.50
70 1.217 6.19 12.37
60 1.195 6.12 12.24
50 1.172 6.05 12.10
40 1.148 5.98 11.96
30 1.124 5.91 11.81
20 1.098 5.83 11.66
10 1.073 5.75 11.51
State of charge as related to specific gravity and <span class="ev_code_BLUE">open-circuit voltage</span> open-circuit voltage.
*Correct the readings to 80?F:
"¢ Add .004 to readings for every 10? above
80?F.
"¢ Subtract .004 for every 10? below 80?F.

Hope this is some help to all.

Spike

[Bikeboy57]

Uh Ronnie,

Not trying to be a wise guy, but you said the wiring agrees with the schematic, and then you said there are two wires connected that are not on the schematic. Both of those statements can't be exactly true.

Here's the point, I don't know what those connections go to either, you didn't say if they were heavy guage or lightweight so I won't even take a guess.

Here is what I would do. Move those two unknown wires to the same terminals where all the other stuff is attached. Then equalize again and see what happens.

Or just turn on the equalize function again and measure the voltage across all the batteries one at a time. If those unidentified connections are robbing same voltage, you should be able to pick that up.