Thread: Solar Panel, battery, sulfation

Interesting question, just been through a lot of stuff on batteries and charging AUX batteries for offroad and camping use on another forum where a couple of auto electricians chimed in. As a result of that, I just purchased a 16 amp battery charger and will revisit the charging system I use with something like this which increases the voltage to a higher level together with associated electronics to achieve 100% SOC (State of Charge):
http://www.ranox.com.au/

The sparkies maintained that the voltages were regulated low in modern vehicles (particularly the turbo diesels like mine) and as a result the battery is usually only charged to about 65% of capacity.

The battery charger I purchased was this one:
http://www.ozcharge.com.au/OC-SW121160.html

and it includes settings to rejuvenate (eg de-sulphate) and to equalise the battery (basically stir up the elctrolyte so stuff settled to the bottom goes back to the top.

Sorry both links are to Australian Suppliers, but Ctek is another (more expensive) global brand of battery charger like the one I purchased (eg my 16amp one was same cost as their 7 amp one).

I also know you can get gadgets that you can hook to your battery in the car that do the desulphation thing.

Anyway, I think there is something in what the sparkies were saying as despite driving 300 odd km on the day I purchased the battery charger, it took 5 hours to fully charge it that night.

I'll know more next weekend going camping for 5 days on Moreton Island and will be depending on the battery to keep the beer in the fridge cold as you have to be self sufficient on the island and I don't like to go thirsty. I am hoping a good boost before we go will be enough to get through with cold beer all the way.

having said that, 3 years is not too bad.

thanks.
yeah ive seen the stuff as simple as the 555 timer for desulphation.
but yea I rather replace the battery every few years. haha

Topping up the battery often helps prevent sulfation from happening. But if the battery is sulfated, you would need to "knock" it off with controlled high voltage pulses (aka. a desulfator). I bought a cheap desulfator off eBay and it hasn't been able to revive my deeply sulfated deep cycle battery. It also doesn't seem to make any difference on my older battery which can still crank my car, but the resting voltage is somewhat low.

Originally Posted by 84RegalRider

While yes the amps of a panel wont help but would be keeping a high voltage on the battery help it?

My last tank battery I only got 3 years (not bad but not great), and ive already got a higher output alternator i installed so i was wondering if Sulfation can be slowed if the battery is almost always in a charging state?

I think yes. It will slowed the battery from its charging state. I know
Solar Power Panel is effective but there are times that in some circumstances these are needing the sources from the sun.

Originally Posted by dextercath96

I think yes. It will slowed the battery from its charging state. I know
Solar Power Panel is effective but there are times that in some circumstances these are needing the sources from the sun.

Yes it is. The output of a solar energy panel depends on how many cells are in a panel, the amount of sun’s energy hitting the panel, and the efficiency of each cell. Electric potential is made by allowing photons to knock electrons loose from a semiconductor. This semiconductor has a thin layer of silver on it and is deposited on an iron substrate. The loose electrons have a greater affinity for one side than the other and will collect on that side in turn making the other side positive. Solar Panels make FREE electricity from the sun, have no moving parts to fail, and last over 25 years. They can be mounted on fixed, adjustable, or tracking type mounting systems. Getting power from the sun's energy is not only Free, but it's Fun to setup a solar energy system and be your own utility company.

While yes the amps of a panel wont help but would be keeping a high voltage on the battery help it?

My last tank battery I only got 3 years (not bad but not great), and ive already got a higher output alternator i installed so i was wondering if Sulfation can be slowed if the battery is almost always in a charging state?

In the state of charging battery expect that the supply will be slowed and also make sure that its not overused. It also depends on the battery if its old or it functions correctly. I have Solar Queensland with a 1.5Kw battery and a Solar Inverter.

Good to see an old thread awoken.

You're supposed to say how the battery needs equalisation - eg, up to ~16.4V etc. (See f.ex BatteryFAQ's 9.1. What Are the Four Stages of Battery Charging & How Can I Revive A Sulfated Battery?.)


(Free power? Oh well, the present 5-year payback period is better than the 15 years it took 10 years ago. But that's only the panels - not the regulators & batteries. And batteries are fine if you don't mind using Uranium byproducts - not that they compare with the other hazardous materials involved.... [LOL!])