intermittent wiz bang?

[BAndrews]

Have been working on a set of batteries getting them up into a stronger SG range with normal charging, equalization, desulfating and partial acid replacement.  During this process, I have been having problems with controller operations.  For example, I would set ending amps of the shunt to zero to allow charge-by-time.  This usually works ok.  Trying to switch back to shunt ending amps of, say a value of "7" does not seem to switch back to that mode.  Cycling power with a 15 second delay before power up does not seem to engage "shunt ending amps" as demonstrated by:

1. countdown timer on the absorb charge is still active
2. the lower right-hand of the graphics display panel does not cycle SOC and Charge Type.  It simply stays on charge type.

I performed a hardware reset followed by a VMM and set all values.  No change.  Opening the controller box reveals a normal flashing light on the Whiz-bang.  Opening up the Classic 150 front panel reveals the set screw on Aux 2 is snug and in order.  I gently probed the Aux 2 physical connector and Whizbang wire ........ after a few seconds, the graphics display started behaving normally by alternating the SOC percentage and charge type.   I went back to charge by time and then tried to return to normal shunt ending amps but so far no luck.

Thought I would replace/resolder the one-foot extension wire on the Whizbang and reinstall.  Other than that, is there anything I can do?

[ClassicCrazy]

Have been working on a set of batteries getting them up into a stronger SG range with normal charging, equalization, desulfating and partial acid replacement.  During this process, I have been having problems with controller operations.  For example, I would set ending amps of the shunt to zero to allow charge-by-time.  This usually works ok.  Trying to switch back to shunt ending amps of, say a value of "7" does not seem to switch back to that mode.  Cycling power with a 15 second delay before power up does not seem to engage "shunt ending amps" as demonstrated by:

1. countdown timer on the absorb charge is still active
2. the lower right-hand of the graphics display panel does not cycle SOC and Charge Type.  It simply stays on charge type.

I performed a hardware reset followed by a VMM and set all values.  No change.  Opening the controller box reveals a normal flashing light on the Whiz-bang.  Opening up the Classic 150 front panel reveals the set screw on Aux 2 is snug and in order.  I gently probed the Aux 2 physical connector and Whizbang wire ........ after a few seconds, the graphics display started behaving normally by alternating the SOC percentage and charge type.   I went back to charge by time and then tried to return to normal shunt ending amps but so far no luck.

Thought I would replace/resolder the one-foot extension wire on the Whizbang and reinstall.  Other than that, is there anything I can do?

What firmware version do you have ?
I think the SOC has to go all the way to 100% before it starts working correctly - especially if you wiped everything out - it woudn't have the previous amp hours to compare it to .

As far as  your ending amps - what exactly do you have absorb v , float v , absorb time , etc set to ?

I thought I have read somewhere that it isn't a good idea to add more acid to a battery.

If some of the cells are sulphated they may just be sulfated for good and never come up to the same as the others .

Larry

[Resthome]

Haven't seen this issue as I don't change it. I do change the END AMPS value and no problem there but do not set it to zero. Too far from the Classic to check it out. I would think the Absorb timer would continue to count down until it timed out or it reached EA as it is an either/or. So I would think it would be counting down.

[BAndrews]

What firmware version do you have ?

I don't have the machines or data at this location.  The firmware was updated to the newest about 5 or 6 months ago IIRC.

I think the SOC has to go all the way to 100% before it starts working correctly - especially if you wiped everything out - it woudn't have the previous amp hours to compare it to .

As far as  your ending amps - what exactly do you have absorb v , float v , absorb time , etc set to ?

It's set to the spec values on the S550.  IIRC, it is 31.5V for EQ, 29.4V for absorb, 26.something V for float.

I thought I have read somewhere that it isn't a good idea to add more acid to a battery.

If some of the cells are sulphated they may just be sulfated for good and never come up to the same as the others .

Larry

Yes; I've read the same thing about acid.  I've been running the desulfators at night and charging absorb and short bouts of EQ in the day.  The SG numbers have increased substantially over the past week or so but I have no doubt I've shortened the life of the batteries.  Negligence on top of a learning curve is a real bad combo.   :-(

Today, I went thru the menus of the classics.  The slave I had mistakenly set to having a whizbang and temp compensation.   When I changed the entries to no direct ownership of a whizband and no direct temp compensation (only as a slave),  the master classic went back to normal operation with alternating SOC and charge type.  Looks like this is starting to come together.....

Thanks for your insights folks.