Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system?

Posted by Gergely Markolt on October 25, 2009, 02:50:09 PM

Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system?
Hello,

I got new batteries, and if a I start charging with a solar panel it is not going to be charged full just after few days. Do I need to charge first the batteries full with a battery charger before I can install them? Like a cell phone first you have to charge it for  12 hours.
Thanks,
 

Posted by Thomas Allen Schmidt on October 26, 2009, 12:17:53 PM

Re: Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system? (Reply #1)
You will definitely want them to be fully charged and, if flooded cell lead acid, equalized before you start to use or discharge them.
I would use both. Use the "battery charger" at night and low sun days and/or the PV during sunny days.
Be sure you know the exact type of batteries you have and the manufactures suggested charging criteria.
http://www.engineersedge.com/battery/specific_gravity_battery.htm
http://www.dcbattery.com/faq.html
 

Posted by Gergely Markolt on October 26, 2009, 01:39:37 PM

Re: Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system? (Reply #2)
Thanks,

I have this battery:
http://www.altestore.com/store/Deep-Cycle-Batteries/Batteries-Sealed-Agm/Universal-UB12180-12V-18AH-20HR-Sealed-AGM/p1997/

I don't have any manual for the battery.
 

Posted by Ken Hall on October 27, 2009, 01:49:25 AM

Re: Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system? (Reply #3)
You might want to give us a full description of your solar system.
How many of those batteries do you have ?
How many watts of PV ?
What type of charge controller ?
What loads do you plan on supporting with the system ? (how many watts for how many hours)

Those are very small batteries. They are designed for wheelchairs. With anything larger than an extremely small system, you will overwork the batteries.  Overworked batteries have an extremely short lifetime.
 

Posted by Gergely Markolt on October 27, 2009, 02:25:56 AM

Re: Do I need to charge a new battery before I install for a PV system? (Reply #4)
I new in green energy, so I built this small system to test, try out how it works.

It is going to be a storage shed lighting.

2 batteries, 7.5 watt home made solar panel, and one 20 watt 12 volt DC cfl light. 6A charge controller

after this experiment I am going to build a larger system, already started to make a 60W panel.
 
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