|
Electric EZGO Electric EZ GO Marathon, Medalist, TXT and RXV. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
11-30-2011, 08:14 PM | #1 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Posts: 989
|
Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
After reading a lot on deep cycle batteries and seeing the mention of periodic equalization (Trojan) to limit/eliminate sulfation, I began looking for chargers having an equalize setting. (I know that proper charging/maintenance will limit the need for equalization but sometimes that just doesn't always happen!) Anyway, so far I haven't found even one charger with an equalize setting (unless I'm missing something). Does anyone know of a charger having an equalize function/setting (or maybe all the chargers have it without saying so)?? Any thoughts on this ?? -RAY
|
Today | |
Sponsored Links
__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum |
|
11-30-2011, 11:03 PM | #2 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lockhart, Tx.
Posts: 20
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
I think the Lester chargers will equalize if you plug and unplug it from the cart 4 times and let it charge till it stops.
Anybody correct me if I'm wrong it is on here somewhere. |
12-01-2011, 09:37 AM | #3 |
Techno-Nerd
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 19,654
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
The only ones I've seen cost more than the houses I bought in the 60's & 70's
Used for Telecom and data center battery back-up systems with bathtub sized cells. I had pretty good results with just a stock Powerwise II. Simply restarted it numerous times after a full charge and recharging after minimal usage. (Akin to a new battery break-in) I'm now getting a max charge in the 97% SoC range (38.1V) and the battery voltage matches within 0.05V on a set of T-105's with a date code of L9 and an uncertain history. I'm thinking about playing some games with the PW-II so it'll take the pack up to 46.5V when I want it to. Also, there is some misunderstandings about the meaning of "equalization" floating around out there. It means charging a Cell until the SG no longer increases. At this point the sulfuric acid concentration will be equal to to original concentration, less any sulfur ions still bonding to the lead compounds. (Sulfation of the plates). If the H2SO4 concentration is lower (or higher) than what was originally poured in at time of manufacture, it should be adjusted to the correct value. (Note: If the SG is high, it means that someone that didn't know what they were doing added acid to the battery. If it is significantly low, it means some of the electrolyte was spilled or bubbled out due to overfilling and then replace with water. During normal operation, no H2SO4 is lost - only H2O is electrolyzed into Hydrogen and Oxygen gases) Since Equalization occurs at the Cell level, we can equalize individual batteries with a 6V charger, or pairs in series with a 12V charger, or all 6 with a 36V charger if the charger is capable of taking the terminal voltage into the equalization level. Manual chargers will probably do it, automatic ones probably won't, but restarting them multiple times like I did produce some favorable results. WARNING: You are deliberately OVERCHARGING, so do no do this unless you know what you are doing and are prepared to replace any destroyed batteries!!! Good luck and be safe. John Last edited by JohnnieB; 12-01-2011 at 09:53 AM.. Reason: Changed "hydrolyzed" to "electrolyzed" - different chemical process. |
12-01-2011, 10:12 AM | #4 | |
Techno-Nerd
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 19,654
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
Quote:
This is from a Lestronic II manual: If the batteries have not been used or charged regularly, they may be sulfated and will not produce their full capacity. Repeated cycles (at least 5) of a light discharge, followed by a full charge, will generally result in the recovery of most of the battery's capacity. Do not interpret this reduced battery capacity as being caused by the charger's turning off too soon. The charger is working properly if, after several charge cycles, the battery capacity increases to near normal. Sulfation occurs most often when the batteries have been stored without weekly charging. New batteries may also be sulfated due to extended shipment or storage time prior to sale. |
|
12-02-2011, 06:57 AM | #5 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 258
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
Anybody have links for any of these chargers?
How about a constant current (completely manual) charger for EQ purposes? |
12-02-2011, 02:19 PM | #6 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Posts: 989
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
Thanks guys for all the responses, especially Johnnieb. I think I'll follow the Lestronic procedure of at least 5 light discharges and then recharge to try to bring capacity back. I just got this 2008 EZGO cart which has been verry lightly used (looks like a brand new cart). I think the batteries are probably ok but have been left to sit in a partially discharged state for too long (this cart came with a non-functioning powerwise QE piece of crap). The pack open circuit voltage after 12 hr rest is finally showing some signs of improvement after being exercised. My last procedure consisted of exercising the pack by doing quite a bit of running, then doing a full charge. This yielded almost .2 volts resting voltage (now reads 37.6 volts). I know that bringing the voltage back to 100% will not be possible, but my goal is 38 volts. We'll see what the "Lestronic" procedure yields (1st of 5 cycles almost complete). Anyway, thanks again - RAY
Last edited by bigstik40; 12-02-2011 at 02:22 PM.. Reason: addition |
12-02-2011, 02:58 PM | #7 | |
Techno-Nerd
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 19,654
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
Quote:
2. A variable constant current source might work if the voltage was high enough. Would be better with adjustable voltage limiting. The current needed is only about 1-3% of C @ 20Hr rate, so it would only be in the 2-6A range. The object is to put the cells in the gassing phase and leave them there until the SG no longer increases, without exceeding about 110 degrees F. |
|
12-04-2011, 09:44 AM | #8 |
48/400/Alltrax HS motor
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Liberty SC, Garden City SC
Posts: 6,190
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
I picked this charger up about 2 months ago. It works fine just not sure about the maintance part of it. Called the number but yet to get any info on it. The guy I got it from said it's a old Wal-Mart buggy pusher charger. Which if you google it that's what you find.
Does anybody know anything about them? The only thing I see wrong with it it needs a handle to carry it. |
12-04-2011, 10:49 AM | #9 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bunnell, Florida
Posts: 2,408
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
I don't know a thing about that brand, but it has the appearance of a well made charger! Having the " maintaining " feature would be excellent for winter storage of the snow belt carts!
|
12-04-2011, 11:54 AM | #10 |
48/400/Alltrax HS motor
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Liberty SC, Garden City SC
Posts: 6,190
|
Re: Looking for a charger with "EQUALIZE" setting
Yea it does and it's heavy to boot! I don't have any 36 volt carts anymore though except for the one I'm building to sell. I guess it will go with it when time comes to sell it.
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Dealer installed charger "start" button | Electric EZGO | |||
Where can I find a charger with an equalize setting | Electric Club Car | |||
CCDSG, Bulck 6"A-arm...help setting toe | Lifted Golf Carts | |||
Small "button" on bottom right of charger keeps kicking out | Electric Club Car | |||
"incomplete" light shining on Yamaha 48V charger | Electric Yamaha |