Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
testing of deep cycle batteries
what would be a good method for the testing of large deep cycle batteries to see how they are performing as I have some that are between 6-8yrs old and they are used to run my cottages. no mains.
(these are not vehicle batteries)
27th Jul 2010 12:59 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
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Hi stranger!!!
27th Jul 2010 1:49 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
Hi Derek, sorry bout the house comment
28th Jul 2010 11:14 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73086
No worries, was coz SWMBO's already spending for it!
28th Jul 2010 2:03 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
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Don't apologise Chris ...he's stalking me 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
28th Jul 2010 2:24 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
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Might be, might not be!!
28th Jul 2010 2:32 pm
Iain G
Member Since: 31 Jan 2009
Location: Filey
Posts: 430
Capacity is determined by current over time, i.e. Amp Hour. You will have to supply a load that does not vary too much, measure and record the current - (use a shunt resistor or DC clampmeter). Don't forget the current will probably change as the batteries voltage reduces.
As for a load you could use a big inverter supplying a small heater of sorts??
Iain
29th Jul 2010 5:25 pm
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
cheers for the reply Iain. I understand capacity,CCA and SoC etc just would like a safe and precise method to test my batteries. my research points to discharge testing but refers to using a machine and is not of much use. from what I can gather, you discharge the batteries test them and then discharge again ane retest to see if they are holding a charge. what size load do you use. 100% of rated capacity or some other percentage and how long are they discharged for. my batteries are 2 volts 600Ah and about $800-$1000 each so dont want to make any mistakes. taking them somewhere or getting someone to come out to test them is not really feasable.
7th Aug 2010 12:56 pm
Iain G
Member Since: 31 Jan 2009
Location: Filey
Posts: 430
I had to test a set of industrial batteries for a prevoious UPS (uninteruptable power supply) manufacturer. We tested some batteries were as per makers spec in terms of AH capacity. The AH capacity is usually at a certain discharge current, and this is tailored to the type of use the batteries are intended for so we followed the manufacturers current throughout. This as you can imagine is quite difficult because as the voltage drops you have to put on more resistive load. Luckily we had an endless supply of load banks. We were advised also by the company to charge, discharge, charge, then perform the test.
I'm not sure how easy it is for you to rent load banks, Generator specialists usually have them for loading up the genny's but depending on your final battery voltage this may not be of any use. You may be better off finding a way to do 1 cell at a time.
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was coz SWMBO's already spending for it! 
