Does a charge controller get involved when charging batteries from a 12V DC charger?

[spendlove]

We have solar panels that charge our batteries using an Outback charge controller. We also have a homemade 12 volt charger that consists of a Honda engine turning a 220 amp alternator. The power it produces is tied directly to the battery bank.

After many years of neglect and ignorance, we are now trying to recover our batteries by making use of the Equalize option on the charger controller. But how does the charge controller do an Equalize if the DC generator adds power directly to the battery bank? Maybe the charge controller can only do an Equalize with the power that comes in from the solar panels?

Confused.

 

[snoobler]

Assuming these are FLA. If AGM, STOP.

Saying "years" and depending on the level of neglect, your chances of success are essentially zero, particularly if these sat completely discharged. Restoring the to the point that they'll hold voltage is slim, and restoring them to the point that they'll store a useful amount is less.

If this is a "nothing left to lose" situation, then I assume you are following the manufacturer's recommendation.

Your homemade 12V charger is working according to the way it's "programmed". It's delivering a current up to a preset voltage. The solar charge controller only has control over what it can do with the power coming into it, i.e., the solar panels. The charger may assist in getting the batteries to "full", but only the SCC can equalize.

The first step of equalization is to fully charge the battery using a standard charge profile.

Have you checked the specific gravity of all cells?