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groingo
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# Posted: 17 May 2014 14:37 - Edited by: groingo
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Checking my charger and was curious how long it should take to add 5.00 amps to a 12 volt battery at 10 amp charge rate?
I came up with 1.002975 hours.
Next step is to verify and if works it could mean a much smaller solar system may fill the bill.
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Flying Wrench
Member
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# Posted: 18 May 2014 22:05
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What is the capacity of your battery? Also, keep in mind that charging your battery won't be 100% efficient.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 18 May 2014 23:03 - Edited by: groingo
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Interstate battery was where I got the formula, tomorrow with a new set of batteries I will begin to verify if what they say is correct, my number also included a 15% variance on the high side....we'll see.
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creeky
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 11:46
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Looking forward to your results. I would have thought around 45 minutes... figuring the charging process to be 35% inefficient.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 12:55
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Well, I decided to go with the 235 amp hour Trojan batteries which will be here in a couple of days, gives me time get things ready.
As far as charge requirements that's also why I decided to go with the Trojans, just a better all round battery than the less expensive Empires, soon we shall see what is really what once and for all.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 13:23
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cool. How many batteries?
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 14:47
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Just two 6 volt 235 ah.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 19:46
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Run some tests using a good hydrometer to determine charge state before being charged and to tell when the battery is really full. Better than voltage readings. Keep a log of the cells over time. Helps find problems.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 21:55 - Edited by: groingo
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Funny you brought that up, Interstate suggested the same thing so I got one yesterday.
Crown battery also wants information when I get it, they agree with the numbers so this might get interesting, it will sure help simplify things to be sure.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2014 22:34
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I am a big believer in logging data. I have gone as far as photographing the cells when new and more or less yearly after that.
Does your hydrometer have a thermometer built in? Temperature correction is important if the battery temperature varies much seasonally. I have an old one with a thermometer I got at NAPA. But there's another I actually like better as the float is easier to read. I use a glass lab thermometer with it.
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