Exercising the batteries

[waterboy10]

I spoke to CS today and was given the following advice from Don B. When the batteries are charging (my house batteries were dead due to cold weather and a repair facility not shutting down coach correctly) after you reach the float level you should exercise your batteries so they de-sulfate on a fairly regular basis. Essentially as I understand it they then go thru a hard charge which will keep them it top condition as they lose effeciency if they have sulfated. It was recommended that this be done once per month. It takes about four hours. All you have to do is hold the battery charge button down for about 5 seconds and the process will begin (display will indicate the process). It will automatically return to the float charge after the process is completed. This can be done while hooked up or with the generator running. This information is in the Magnum instructions and CS is researching a devise from Harris batteries that will allow this to happen automatically. I guess you learn something every day. Maybe it would have helped if I had read all the information I was provided in the inverter informational handbook. I don't know anyone who has been able to absorb all of that as this is a slow educational journey. Flora and I attended the Spartan school and Ted Cook did not address this issue in his abbreviated presentation. Since batteries are expensive this may keep them going longer.

[Tony Lee]

I think you could also find plenty of advice that exercising batteries during extended storage is an old-fashioned concept that had no merit and which has been resurrected by some charger manufacturers so they can advertise their units as being something special..

[johnnyreno]

very intrigued now

[waterboy10]

I do not believe Entegra CS has a dog in this fight. I am only reporting on what was recommended to me today. I guess if one needs more info they can obtain it from CS. I do recall a blog previously that centered indirectly on this subject but I have no idea where or when. I suppose the best thing to do in consult the proper manual. I have found Entegra CS to be very accurate in their recommendations and advise in the past and see no reason why that would be any different in this case. I will follow their advice as it has been on the mark 100% in the past. Maybe someone with a stronger technical background can explain the sulfate issue. I do know from my automotive background that sulfating is a major cause of battery failure. I can't explain the chemistry of the issue but I will follow the recommendations given to me. I do believe the Harris devise is somewhere in the $40.00 range but if I follow the recommendations I see no reason to buy it.

[MRUSA14]

Everything that I have read on this subject indiates that sulfation is primarily claused by leaving the batteries in a discharged state. If the batteries are kept topped up and not taken to extreme discherge I don't think sulfation is a big problem.

[Mr_D]

Our OEM Interstate U-2200's lasted one month short of 10 years and were still good enough for at least overnight in cold weather.
In all that time I NEVER ran a de-sulphation "charge" and I discharged them to inverter cut off several times too.
If you do decide to do it remember to take out of the circuit any appliances that could be harmed by the higher than usual voltage.

[brobox]

I may be mistaken, but I thought I read that AGM's were not to be equalized. I am going to have to pull my manual out and see if I can find where I read that. That was one of the big selling points for me to the Anthem was no more constant battery maintenance and having to equalize because a cell got too low on water.

I re-read your post, whew!, you do have an Aspire with wet cell batteries and I don't have to equalize

[voltdoc]

Originally Posted by waterboy10

I spoke to CS today and was given the following advice from Don B. When the batteries are charging (my house batteries were dead due to cold weather and a repair facility not shutting down coach correctly) after you reach the float level you should exercise your batteries so they de-sulfate on a fairly regular basis. Essentially as I understand it they then go thru a hard charge which will keep them it top condition as they lose effeciency if they have sulfated. It was recommended that this be done once per month. It takes about four hours. All you have to do is hold the battery charge button down for about 5 seconds and the process will begin (display will indicate the process). It will automatically return to the float charge after the process is completed. This can be done while hooked up or with the generator running. This information is in the Magnum instructions and CS is researching a devise from Harris batteries that will allow this to happen automatically. I guess you learn something every day. Maybe it would have helped if I had read all the information I was provided in the inverter informational handbook. I don't know anyone who has been able to absorb all of that as this is a slow educational journey. Flora and I attended the Spartan school and Ted Cook did not address this issue in his abbreviated presentation. Since batteries are expensive this may keep them going longer.

Was this process described as "equalization"? That is a common technique used to attempt restoring the capacity of wet cells by "stirring up" the electrolyte. I'm quite sure the magnum charger can do it, but didn't know it could be invoked by holding down the charge button - good info.

If that is what we are talking about here you do need to be careful as the process puts 15.5 approximate volts across the batteries which means that all your 12v devices will be experiencing a potentially out of spec voltage, some will have no problem with it but it may shorten the life of say, unregulated LED lights. I would suggest that you turn off the main battery switch (next to the door) while equalization is on. Also make sure to check the water level in the batteries before and after. Ensure the battery compartment is well ventilated.

Since the start batteries are in parallel with the house batteries when the house batteries are charged, you may also be equalizing the start batteries so it might be a good idea to check with the manufacturer of those if it is OK for them or just disconnect them.

The Aspire comes standard with wet cells so they can be equalized. For AGM's (standard on anthem & cornerstone) I always thought too that they should not be equalized but some manufacturers do say its OK. Here is a quote from the lifeline AGM web page:

"Conditioning/Equalizing Charge: 15.5 volts for 8 hours
Conditioning/equalizing should only be done when the battery is showing symptoms of capacity loss. If conditioning/equalizing is necessary, first go through the normal charge cycle. Once the battery is as fully charged as possible, start the conditioning/equalizing charge."