Outback 32v owners....help please

[Gusshr]

Hi,One of my two 32v battery banks which is under the control of a 32v outback inverter/charger can cranck the engine on, however if I turn off the charger and run the inverter for 10 minutes consuming only 400 watts, then this bank can barely move the starter motor. So I figuered a new bank should be installed. Before doing this heavy proposal (more concerned about the weight of the batteries rather than the cost), I would like to try to equalize the batteries using the outback. I know for sure that I don’t have any dead cells.

Can someone with similar charger please share their settings for the equalization, including the process?

Do you think I can bring this bank back to live?

This bank charges quickly and discharges quickly too, but remember it still can turn the engine on if it is just off the charger. So according to what I have read, it has a surface charge due to over sulfating which is usually reversible.


Thanks

 

[Boatsb]

How old are the batteries?

Did you measure the cells with a proper hydrometer? Whats their specific gravity?

 

[Gusshr]

How old are the batteries?Did you measure the cells with a proper hydrometer? Whats their specific gravity?

From reading posts by PO, 2013. Gravity is borderline fair to poor minute after turning off the charger. Do I perform equalization or dont waste my time?

 

[Boatsb]

Unless their rolls it's time to replace them.

Gotta love the 8 volt world.

 

[Gusshr]

Unless their rolls it's time to replace them.Gotta love the 8 volt world.

Love the 8 volt already. I have never equalized any batteries before and thats why I am asking. What’s you experience in that?

 

[Gusshr]

Also I am planning on using the 8V195 instead of the 819. Any objections anyone?

 

[Boatsb]

Maintenance is before the problem got this bad. Id replace them and move on. 819 batteries are heavy and not cheap. Equalize them every few months and they may last longer.

 

[Gusshr]

Maintenance is before the problem got this bad. Id replace them and move on. 819 batteries are heavy and not cheap. Equalize them every few months and they may last longer.

What voltage do you use and for how long?

 

[Boatsb]

My boat is 12 volt. I replaced the 8 volt batteries on a 52c a while back and hated every heavy minute of it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Why not try to equalize them before you replace? It doesn't take much effort. Just select the equalize function on the Outback. It will bring the bank up to 40v for two hours. Make sure you fill them with water first as they will boil some off during the process.

 

[MVCaprice]

I have two 32v Outbacks. Here is what I did:

I set the charge settings to the batter manufactures specs. You will need to find those for your batteries.

1) Get the charge specs from battery manufacturer. Usually they have a data sheet and you can run the math for the bank by adding up the voltages.
2) Apply the right settings using the Mate/ Mate 2. Read / Download / Print this if you don't already have it: http://www.outbackpower.com/downloa...t/mate/mate_mate2_installation_usermanual.pdf . There is a way to do so in the menu system.

All said though as others have mentioned you probably need to replace batteries.

Good luck!

 

[MVCaprice]

One other question....Do you have the temp sensor attached? I would check into that before equalizing.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have no temp sensor but set up my Outback according the specs from Rolls for my batteries. 9+ years and my batts are still going strong. I equalize once or twice per year.

 

[MVCaprice]

I have no temp sensor but set up my Outback according the specs from Rolls for my batteries. 9+ years and my batts are still going strong. I equalize once or twice per year.

Do you find an increase in capacity once you have equalized? I have AGM's so im not sure how much that will help. It's probably worth a shot though?
​

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Do you find an increase in capacity once you have equalized? I have AGM's so im not sure how much that will help. It's probably worth a shot though?
​

Yes, I go from very little capacity to near normal after an equalize.

 

[Gusshr]

Do you find an increase in capacity once you have equalized? I have AGM's so im not sure how much that will help. It's probably worth a shot though?​

My understanding is that you only equalize flooded batteries. Be careful.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

My understanding is that you only equalize flooded batteries. Be careful.

That is probably true. The higher voltage boils the electrolyte which desulfates the plates. The battery acid looks like a milkshake at the end of the EQ charge. Then it clears up as the particulate falls to the bottom of the battery.

 

[scottinsydney]

About two months ago I noticed my newish 8 volt house batteries were failing to hold their charge or discharging far too quick. My boat is on a swing mooring with a 300 watt 32volt solar panel system that does a pretty good job in summer, but not during a Sydney winter. I also have a new 32 volt Analytic Systems battery charger, but it needs the genset to charge. I can not keep my batteries always fully charged and reckon they sulphated with inconsistent charging and usage.

How to solve the problem?

In the end I purchased a Battery Extra desulphating device from the UK. The manufacturer seemed quite happy to answer all my emails. Product arrived in 4 days. Its now been wired up this past month to my 2 banks of four 8 volt batteries (in parallel). Manufacturer says it may take a couple of months for the batteries to come back to full life and they should be cycled as often as possible. (In reality this not possible as boat is used mostly on the weekends.)

Hocus Pocus? Who knows. But for US$100 the Battery Extra device was worth a shot to solve my battery issues. Nice little device with handy LED readout. Perfectly made.

Have a look at:

https://www.recovermybatteries.com/

The 48 volt model covers 32 volt systems (but you have to turn off a switch on the front.)

I guess I'll know in a month or so if it really works, but looking at various Yourtube videos, there appears common consensus that desulphating can work. It also appears to be a different process to equalising the batteries in that it does not cause the battery to bubble or raise the voltage and it is continuously connected.





Parts received. Have now hardwired the Battery Extra to my parallel battery posts.




Testing prior to full installation.

 

[Pascal]

Do you find an increase in capacity once you have equalized? I have AGM's so im not sure how much that will help. It's probably worth a shot though?
​

I am pretty sure Only Lead acid batteries can be equalized. Not AGMs

 

[doc g]

An AGM is a lead /acid battery, I used to equalize my Lifeline AGM's on my inverter system every 6 months. I would definitely check with the battery manufacturer first and as Sky said you have nothing to lose , if they don't come back you will have to replace anyway.........Pat