Default Settings For Kid Battery Bank

[Free Energy Freak]

I have batteries that I am unable to secure the proper charge parameters for. So, I would like to use default parameters.


So far, I am thinking:


Absorb at 14.4
Float at 13.6 (or should that be 13.8?)


What about EQ and Bulk? What should they be set at, please?

[Westbranch]

what type of batteries are they ? AGM ? FLA ? Gel ? Traction? etc.

[Free Energy Freak]

Sorry. FLA

[chris]

  what brand and model are the batteries?

[Free Energy Freak]

  what brand and model are the batteries?

A generic brand from Taiwan. 120AH is all I know.. No paperwork, no nothing. That is why I want to go with the default settings for my Kid, please.


If it helps, it is a Beta Kid, with all options offered by Midnite - Temp sensor, Whizbang, shunt.

[Vic]

Crap  !!!   Timed out again ...


HI F E F,

Good that they are FLAs,  so you can measure how well the batteries are getting charged.

Agree with 14.4 Vabs to start with.  Adjust the time or EA to fully charge the bank.  Increase the Vabs to fully charge the bank.

Would guess 13.25 V for Float.   Most say that you want to just barely maintain SG with the Vfloat you choose ...  you can measure how well this setting does that by measuring SG after a few hours in Float.

My opinions and guesses.  YMMV.   Good Luck,   Vic

[Free Energy Freak]

Thanks. And, God, I hate it when it times out, as we have discussed before.

Um, anyone have input on EQ and / or Bulk voltages?

EQ, possibly 15.0v for 1.5 hours?

Should (Could?) Bulk be the same as Absorb, at 14.4v?

[vtmaps]

Should (Could?) Bulk be the same as Absorb, at 14.4v?

There is no bulk voltage setting.  During bulk, the kid pushes as many amps as it can into the battery, and the battery voltage rises.  When the voltage rises to the absorb setting, the bulk stage of charging is over and the kid throttles back its output current so the battery does not go over the absorb setting.

--vtMaps

[Free Energy Freak]

Thanks.


Okay, so, settings for the Kid, for an "unknown" battery:


Bulk = Automatic
Absorb = 14.4vdc
Float = 13.25vdc
Equalization = 15.0vdc


Thanks to all for helping me sort this.


I still have to wait another day for the concrete to cure. Then, I will start mounting the panels and work on the rest of the installation.

[Westbranch]

do you have a generator to bulk the battery to prep for an EQ?

[Vic]

Thanks.


Okay, so, settings for the Kid, for an "unknown" battery:


Bulk = Automatic
Absorb = 14.4vdc
Float = 13.25vdc
Equalization = 15.0vdc

F E F,  Generally,  EQ @ 15 V is TOO LOW.   Would raise this to a minimum of 15.5 V ...  unless your Inverter (or connected DC loads)  will not tolerate  a voltage above this.

Sometimes,  with cool batteries,  this voltage can rise above the Max for the inverter of DC loads connected to the batteries ...   FWIW,  more opinions.  Vic

[Free Energy Freak]

do you have a generator to bulk the battery to prep for an EQ?

No, unfortunately.

[Free Energy Freak]

F E F,  Generally,  EQ @ 15 V is TOO LOW.   Would raise this to a minimum of 15.5 V ...  unless your Inverter (or connected DC loads)  will not tolerate  a voltage above this.

Sometimes,  with cool batteries,  this voltage can rise above the Max for the inverter of DC loads connected to the batteries ...   FWIW,  more opinions.  Vic

Okay.

I can disconnect loads during the day. We only really need to have the loads connected at night. Only once in a while do we need anything running during daylight hours. That would be a pump, but only for a little while.

And, cool or cold will not be happening here I am pretty sure. We are at 13 degrees North Latitude.

[Westbranch]

I forget how much PV  (W) you will have?  If not a good sized array for the batteries you may not get to EQ without a genset (or grid). 

You have to be fully charged before you can do an EQ.

[Free Energy Freak]

I forget how much PV  (W) you will have?  If not a good sized array for the batteries you may not get to EQ without a genset (or grid). 

You have to be fully charged before you can do an EQ.

This array will be 270 watts (2-135 watts panels), at 24 volts into the Kid. Out to a single 120 AH, 12vdc battery.


I will make sure I wait for a good sunny day, prior to going to EQ.