Trimetric TM2030RV question

[rarebear.nm]

I have a Trimetric TM2030RV battery monitor in my 5th with a PD9245C converter. The batteries are two 6 volt units with 230AHr capacity. They have been well maintained and never deeply discharged. The 5th remains connected to shore power 24/7 when parked. All the displays on the TM look good except the days since equalization (dSE). It always displays the number of days since I did a reset on that value. The float voltage reads 13.3 and charging voltage at 13.6, 100% full). A resting charge of 12.7 volts, measured after AC to the converter has been off for a few hours.

I'm not sure if the Trimetric is failing to sense the equalization operation or the converter is not doing an equalization every 24 hours. Any ideas how to test for this or what else may be causing the exception? A recording voltmeter would be nice to capture the data, but I don't have one.

[vsheetz]

Equilization daily? Methinks usually done monthly or even less often. As for why not indicating equilization, what converter?

[Traildust]

I have a TriMetric 2025RV and it does the same thing. Mine will not even reset the DSE to zero. I think it has something to do with the equalization voltage. The Progressive Dynamics Converter even in boost mode will only put out 14.4vdc and a equalization charge should be at least 15.5vdc according to Trojan. I do equalize my batteries every two or three months but I have to disconnect my batteries from the trailer and use my Schumacher Ship&Shore Charger to do a proper equalization. It has a true equalization charge of 16.4 and does the complete charge cycle automatically. I have to disconnect the batteries from the trailer because I am not sure what the 16.4vdc will do to the trailers circuits.
Bill

[Walt Bennett]

I don't think a converter can perform equalization. I've four T-104 Trojan batteries and 400 watts of solar panels. To equalize the batteries I have to either set the solar charge controller to do it periodically or push a button manually. That charge controller then puts over 15 volts to the batteries for a period of time to remove sulfate. You can find a description of it here: Equalizing Charge For Stationary Batteries – Battery University

[twinboat]

I believe the 4th stage, that 4 stage converters go thru, is a conditioning charge, not an equalizing routine.

Your Monitor should list the criteria for an equalizing charge.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

rarebear.nm-

According to (pages 4 and 15 of) the 2030 manual, the "dse" is a "reminder" that should be manually reset after each equalization. This implies that it does not sense the equalization activity; if it did, it could automatically reset.

As far as a recommended equalization frequency is concerned, the manufacturer of your batteries should list that in his literature.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

.... A recording voltmeter would be nice to capture the data, but I don't have one....

If the 2030 is like my 2025 you can buy a cheap rs232 cable and use your laptop for monitoring your solar system. There is a built in logging capability that takes some getting used to but it pretty cool. With a remote access program running you can even use your phone to keep track of the solar. Here's a screen shot from my phone or laptop.


As others have said I think you were mistaking Equal. for something else.

[rarebear.nm]

Thanks to everyone chiming in on this. Some of the responses sent me to research a little more. I use Duracell 6 volt GC batteries, very happy with them. Duracell's equalization charge is 15.75 volts only applied when the specific gravity is below 1.250.

The converter as stated in post #1 is a PD9245C. PD's literature states they do an "equalization" cycle every 21 hours at 14.4 volts. Way short the 15.75 volts. But, this 14.4 volt cycle is done to prevent stratification of the fluid while in storage mode. I think this is different from true equalization.



The two red vertical bars represents the 21 hour interval between the 14.4 equalization cycles.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

.....PD's literature states they do an "equalization" cycle every 21 hours at 14.4 volts. .....

As you have found out in your research. Just because Progressive call's 14.4 for 15 minutes "equalization" doesn't make it Equalization. It is not according to the battery manufacturers.

The light on your 2030 is just a reminder and can be turned off through the settings.

[rarebear.nm]

This has been informative. But I'd like to slightly vary my OP after having learned this much.

Agree that PDs claim of "equalizing" every 21 hours is not real equalization and it would be bad if it really did that. PD states that the 21 hour "equalization" stage is to prevent stratification in the battery. Can any one out there gives us a Battery 201 piece exactly what this de-stratification cycle really does in the long term health of the battery? Apparently it will cause some periodic mixing of the battery acid so that it does not stratify into layers while sitting in storage at float charge. That is probably a good thing- I think. Anything I'm missing in this charge cycle? I just like to understand what's going on.

Secondly, what charging units do folks find that will do a good job at equalization when and if needed? I read some posts about using battery chargers and others using bench top variable DC power supplies where voltage and current can be controlled. What really works?

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Fred-

Here are two resources:

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
Equalizing Charge For Stationary Batteries – Battery University

Our coach has Lifeline AGM batteries. Their Web site has a number of helpful technical documents. You may find the same for the manufacturer of your coach's batteries.

[SkiSmuggs]

I would think most solar charge controllers would have a similar feature to prevent stratification. They go into bulk mode once the sun hits the panels daily as opposed to a built in charge/converter which stays is float mode most of the time.