HeadedToTexas
Guru
The three 198 aH 12 volt AGM batteries that comprise my house bank have started topping out at less than 100% State of Charge according to my Balmar SmartGauge. After days on shore power with my Xantrex inverter/charger on float, I am seeing SOC values as low as 88% Balmar tells me this is likely due to sulfation and that is consistent with my study and understanding of lead acid batteries.
The previous owner tells me the batteries were bought from West Marine in late 2019. The boat sat on the hard throughout the winter of 19/20 and until we bought it in September 2020. The boat had dubious charge "habits" while on the hard and while I had higher hopes, I saw 0% SOC at one point during the early winter of 20/21 before I disconnect the batteries completely. They did fine holding 12+ volts for the rest of the winter, but the damage had been done.
Through an email exchange with West Marine Customer Service, I get the impression that they do not want to say "yes, try equalization using these parameters..." Is that typical of West Marine? Equalization looks like a safe and smart approach to remove some of the lead sulfate from the plates. What am I overlooking?
The previous owner tells me the batteries were bought from West Marine in late 2019. The boat sat on the hard throughout the winter of 19/20 and until we bought it in September 2020. The boat had dubious charge "habits" while on the hard and while I had higher hopes, I saw 0% SOC at one point during the early winter of 20/21 before I disconnect the batteries completely. They did fine holding 12+ volts for the rest of the winter, but the damage had been done.
Through an email exchange with West Marine Customer Service, I get the impression that they do not want to say "yes, try equalization using these parameters..." Is that typical of West Marine? Equalization looks like a safe and smart approach to remove some of the lead sulfate from the plates. What am I overlooking?