Re: ORIELYS 4yr old battery toast?
Reply #9 –
To answer to your first question, "What is going on"? Based on the information you have provided. Your batteries are not fully charging on solar, and they may be almost dead. Their ah ability to store electricity may be greatly diminished.
Unfortunately, voltage will not give you an accurate picture. You also need to know the reading of amps going in, and ultimately the results of a load test.
Without this ability to test with a load tester, you at least need to start with fully charged batteries. Charge them with a multi stage charger, until they change from 14.xx bulk or absorbtion to a float charge in the 13.xx range, and then load test. You can do this with as simple a se
Resting fully charged AGM 12-volt batteries are around 12.8-12.9 volts, and flat dead ones are at 12.0 volts, so 12.4 volts on a resting battery means it's about 50% charged. 11.9, as 12.0, also flat dead and getting damaged.
When any AGM or wet cell 12-volt battery is discharged below 12.4 volts, sulfation begins to occur within the battery. Over time, this sulfation will diminish both the performance and lifespan of the battery, eventually essentially killing it.
I believe now, as others have already suggested:
Fully charge your batteries with another known good multi stage charger, until they go from 14.xx to float in the 13.xx range, and then load test.
From my experience you will need to test with a carbon pile tester, the smaller Wallmart hand carried unit or a toaster type will not draw enough amps to get a reliable test. I have always been able to find a proper tester, sometimes having to try a few different shops such as at a commercial marine or truck battery sales/repair shop. Do not be afraid to ask to watch while they test. When done properly they usually will fully charge till it goes to14.xx and changes to 13.xx then at this approx 80% charged level, draw approx 400 amps, see that voltage does not go below 10.5 volts, check ending voltage, give the results. Some badly sulfates batteries will not pass the test, with voltage during test dropping below 10.5 volts.
Not to over complicate testing, the above will work for you, the following would be the best and most accurate, which is not always practical.
"Lifeline batteries says this about testing their batteries. To determine the actual capacity of a Lifeline® AGM battery relative to its rated capacity, a full
discharge test should be performed. Although there are various battery testers available on the
market, such as carbon pile testers, impedance meters, conductance meters, and others, these
testers are not reliable in determining the battery's actual capacity. To determine the battery's
actual capacity relative to its rated capacity, use the following procedure:
1.
Stabilize the battery at 68-86°F (20-30°C) for at least 24 hours.
2.
Bring the battery to full charge as described in Sections 5.4, 5.5 or 5.6 as applicable.
3.
Discharge the battery at a constant current of 25 amperes until the voltage falls to 10.5
volts (5.25 volts for a 6 Volt battery). Record the discharge time in minutes.
4.
Compare the measured discharge time to the published 25A rating (reserve capacity
minutes) for the battery.
5.
If the battery delivers less than 80% of the rated capacity the conditioning procedure
given in Section 5.5 should be attempted and the battery capacity should be retested.
6.
If the battery delivers less than 50% of its rated capacity, it should be replaced.
However, the user should determine the amount of capacity needed for their particular
application and adjust the pass/fail threshold accordingly."
Topic: ORIELYS 4yr old battery toast?