Tracer AN Gel

[blackbear199]

Hi,

i have 8x109ah 12v alphacell 220 gxl batteries that came out of cell towers.
they will be parallel as they are replacing 12v flooded batteries.
i am having some confusion about charge controller settings.
the only specs written on the batteries is the float voltage(13.5-13.8)
spec sheet

https://www.alpha.com/download/outside_plant_power/alphacell_batteries/gxl/datasheet.pdf

doing some searching i found a users manual

Battery System Float Charging - Alpha alphacell gelcell series User Manual [Page 20]

Alpha alphacell gelcell series Manual Online: Battery System Float Charging. Battery System Float Charging Voltage NOTE: The following set points are recommended for AlphaCell Batteries when used with the xM Series 2 or GMx Power Supply. 20 Encountering temperature extremes When you...

www.manualslib.com

according to that page..
bulk/float: 2.27v/cell = 13.62
accept: 2.4v/cell = 14.4v

reading on the forums voltage should never be over 14.1 for gel batteries?
so i'm confused about this.

from the tracer manual default settings for gel

Over Voltage Disconnect: 16.0V
Charging Limit Voltage: 15.0V
Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 15.0V
Equalize Charging Voltage: ——
Boost Charging Voltage: 14.2V
Float Charging Voltage: 13.8V
Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage: 13.2V
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 12.6V
Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage: 12.2V
Under Voltage Warning Voltage: 12.0V
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage: 11.1V
Discharging Limit Voltage: 10.6V
Equalize Duration: ——
Boost Duration: 120 min


based on what i have read(and the specs above) shouldnt i be using something like this..

Over Voltage Disconnect: 14.2V
Charging Limit Voltage: 13.6V
Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 13.5V
Equalize Charging Voltage: ——
Boost Charging Voltage: 14.1V
Float Charging Voltage: 13.6V
Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage: 13.2V
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 12.6V
Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage: 12.2V
Under Voltage Warning Voltage: 12.0V
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage: 11.8V
Discharging Limit Voltage: 11.5V
Equalize Duration: ——
Boost Duration: 120 min

another question i have is i have a iota dsl-90 charger
the iq4 smart controller i had for the flooded batteries is not useable for gels(voltage too high)
would be ok if i use it without the smart controller and use the dual voltage jack plug.
the charger is only used when generator is running.
i can monitor the batteries via my shunt.
i was thinking of charging to 13.6 then 14.2(or vice versa) using the plug when needed.
maybe just charge to 13.6 using it and let the solar handle the boost?

thanks
mike

 

[pollenface]

The default Gel settings are okay for generic use

my preferred settings for Gel are

bulk/absorb @ 14.1v
float @ 13.6v
temp compensation @ -3mv/cell/°c

Boost duration will depend on depth of discharge, something to observe and adjust. If charging current is near 2% of battery capacity towards the end of the boost/absorption phase that is okay. You can set equalize to boost voltage and add duration if you need more than 180min boost/absorption time. I found i needed 5-6hrs after deep discharges and roughly 1.5-2hrs during normal daily operation.

 

[blackbear199]

Thanks for the suggestions.
there just one thing i'm not clear about and thats the Over Voltage Disconnect
are they referring to the controller over voltage or battery over voltage?

if its controller over voltage i assume something like 15/16V would be good.
if its battery over voltage 14.2?

updated of what i think should be good..

Over Voltage Disconnect: 15/16V or 14.2V <-- controller over voltage or battery over voltage?
Charging Limit Voltage: 14.1V
Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 14.1V
Equalize Charging Voltage: —— (set to 14.1V if more boost time required)
Boost Charging Voltage: 14.1V
Float Charging Voltage: 13.6V
Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage: 13.2V
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage: 12.6V
Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage: 12.2V
Under Voltage Warning Voltage: 12.0V
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage: 11.5V
Discharging Limit Voltage: 11.0V
Equalize Duration: —— (set to additional time if more boost time required)
Boost Duration: 180 min

running the numbers for the boost duration

charger:
890ah/90A = 17.8A x .38 = 3.75 hrs

solar: i have 2 arrays
550w/14.1v = 39A
810w/14.1v = 57.5A
total: 96.5A
realistically i am hoping for 70-80A range maybe?

890ah/75A= 11.9A x .38 = 4.5 hrs
this i aint to concerned about,i will monitor the system and adjust to boost duration accordingly.

Thanks

 

[pollenface]

Over voltage disconnect refers to loads connected to the Load terminals.