Will follow links tomorrow when we have reliable internet access. On 11/06/2017 6:25 PM, "RussellMc" wrote: > Sad to hear about the damage. > > Batteries can be floated at manufacturer's rcommended voltage but not > "trickled" with current such that the voltage rises to or above boost > levels when electrlysis and loss of electrlyte will occur. > I'd guess that your "trickle charging" has had enough energy available to > hold the battery at or above boost voltage levels. > I do not know the mechanism of dry-out damage. When you replace them the > old ones may be able to be partially restored and used in a lesser role - > various solar power and off grid groups probably have experience in this > area. . > > > Battery data sheet here: > > http://www.ritarpower.com/upimg/20151211154018926.pdf > http://www.auviras.lt/out/media/Ritar-RA12-100.pdf.pdf > > RA12S http://www.innovative.co.nz/pdf/RA12-100S.pdf > > Some good information in the data sheet. > > The recommended float voltage is 13.6 to 13.8 V > They can be maintained there indefinitely. > > Boost voltage is 14.6 - 14.8 V - this is for bringing them to full capaci= ty > after a CC CV charge BUT tyhey MUST NOT be left there. > > They say lifetime in flaot service is > 9-12+ years at 10C > 5-8 years at 30 C > 2-5 years at 40C. > > So: When not in desert keep in cool place. > > They say: > > RITAR Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries can be stored o for more > than 6 months at 25 C. Self-discharge ratio less than 3% o per month at 2= 5 > C. Please charge batteries before using. > > ____________________ > > Some of this MAY be useful: > > > http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_restore_ > and_prolong_lead_acid_batteries > > Also just maybe this. > Stirring up / homogenising the acid as it reconstitutes MAY help. One can > hope. > > > http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/water_loss_acid_ > stratification_and_surface_charge > > > *Google search lead acid boil dry damage > 613&q=3Dlead+acid+boil+dry+damage&oq=3Dlead+acid+boil+dry+damage&gs_l=3Ds= erp.3.. > 33i21k1j33i160k1.7603822.7619186.0.7619443.32.32.0.0.0. > 0.238.4993.2-23.23.0....0...1.1.64.serp..9.22.4778... > 0j46j0i131k1j0i131i46k1j46i131k1j0i46k1j0i22i30k1j30i10k1.xUA7OAfHhsQ> > L*ots of advice. SOME may just possibly be good. Much doesn't seem to be= .. > > > Russell > > > On 11 June 2017 at 19:37, Justin Richards > wrote: > > > Purchased 2 x RA12-100 100Ah valve regulated batteries for camper trail= er > > approx 18months ago. > > > > They have never been pressed into serious service and mostly been on > > trickle charge (big mistake) via a 33w solar panel partially shaded and > not > > orientated correctly. Regular checks show approx 13v. > > > > Now out in the Australian desert batteries initially behaved perfectly. > > Then they failed. > > > > Thought i would share my experience as I have some time watching the > bikes > > go past. > > > > Popped the glued down regulator cover and discovered they were dry. > > > > So, never trickle charge, and check levels even if they are sealed. > > > > We are out camped along the Finke Desert Race so i am try to breath som= e > > life back into them. Need to run the 5A fridge. > > > > I am constantly monitoring terminal voltage and at times it bounces > around > > like it it virtually open circuit at other times it presents as a stiff > > load or how a battery should behave. > > > > Sometimes i NEED (run water pump or start fridge) it to behave so i fin= d > if > > i load it up with a 2 ohm load the voltage drops, bounces between 8-9V > then > > after awhile will jump to approx 12v. If lucky i can then connect the > > fridge and works like a charm for maybe an hour or so. > > > > I get fooled into thinking they are comming back to life but alas I hav= e > no > > choice but to replace them. > > > > So wisdom of the internet seemed to be the less they are deep cycled th= e > > longer they last and always made sure these were never discharged too > much > > while the whole time i was over charging them. > > > > Not sure what the best way forward is for these batteries while the > camper > > is parked up months at a time. > > > > Perhaps a timer that gives them a charge every month or so. > > > > Justin > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > > View/change your membership options at > > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > > -- > http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .