Looks like we got us a convoy. I never actually had enough power to try doing an equalization charge on the Lair’s batteries before, and yesterday afternoon I gave it a try. Of course the last couple of days have been pretty busy, what with the family visiting and all, so I didn’t start it until about three in the afternoon. It’s supposed to take about three hours. Turned out there wasn’t enough time.
An equalization charge basically pours obscene amounts of power into the batteries, boils the electrolyte, and shakes loose the sulphate from the battery plates so it’ll go back into electrolyte solution. According to the manual, if power input drops before the end of equalization, the charge controller is supposed to know that and resume the process as soon as there’s enough power the next day.
Shazam! It does that. My system hit float in mid-morning, another first, and promptly started equalizing the batteries without being told to. And then, when it was done, it automatically stopped. Yes!
I can actually use my computer for hours when there’s no sun now. I can actually use it as much as I want to. Of course common sense is called for, because if it turns out the next day is very cloudy I might be screwed. There’s still that teeny disadvantage of solar power.
But that’s common to all solar power systems. The point is, I have a power system that meets my needs! No more babying a pathetic, kludged-together collection of scrounged parts!
Joel happy now.
Congratulations! Sounds like the additional panel was exactly what you needed.