Duracell GC2 Battery Charging Parameters

[flboy]

I have four Duracell GC2 6V batteries I will be using in a Series/Parallel configuration for 12Vdc @ 430 aH. I have a Tracer MPPT 40a Solar charger with 500W of solar panels and I need to set it up for the Duracell GC2 Battery Charging Parameters. I cannot seem to find the parameters listed anywhere.

Does anyone have the Duracell GC2 Battery Charging Parameters or can you point me to a website?


Many thanks in advance!

[featherliteCT1]

The last time I tried to find the parameters for the Duracell batteries (manufactured by East Penn/Deka) I also could not find data published online by the manufacturer. After much online searching, I talked face to face with the local Deka salesman but he was clueless. Others have reported that they have obtained the data by contacting the manufacturer directly via email. Some have reported that the parameters are slightly different for off grid vs. golf cart use. In any event, please post your final results as this is much needed info.

[John61CT]

Here ya go

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14 ... ost2092450

You can call Deka / EPM East Penn tech support (888) 844-7704 and talk with people who know their stuff.

Or post Qs here if you prefer.

[John61CT]

The endAmps spec is unusual for the Absorb to Float transition.

When first broken in you could just use .005C, half an amp per 100AH, just keep adjusting Absorb Hold Time until you get there most cycles, or at least few times per week. Equalize more often than just monthly if you can't.

Keep them watered.

Try not to regularly draw too low, average 50% is OK.

[flboy]

Here ya go

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f14 ... ost2092450

You can call Deka / EPM East Penn tech support (888) 844-7704 and talk with people who know their stuff.

Or post Qs here if you prefer.

Thank you very much! I certainly appreciate the info. Will be using "Off Grid" so I will start with this and see how it goes.

[flboy]

OK, this is what I need to enter into my MT50 Controller for my Epever Tracer MPPT 40 Solar Charge Controller. The M50 allows the following and this is what I entered.

Battery Type - Flooded
Battery aH - 430aH (installed)
Temp Comp Coeff - .18a I am assuming is for 6 2V Cells... or .003a I set for 3mA or .003a.
Over Vol. Disc.: default for Flooded 16v
Charge Limit: default for Flooded 15V
Over Volt. Rec default for Flooded 15v
Equal Charge: default for Flooded 14.8 (did not change to the 15V.. should I? Is it important in this case)
Boost Charge: I think Boost = Absorption in this case? default for Flooded 14.6V
Float Charge: default for Flooded 13.8V (in range)
Boost Rec.: default for Flooded 13.1V
Lov Volt Rec.: default for Flooded 12.6V
Under Volt Rect.: default for Flooded 12.2 V
Under Volt. Warn: default for Flooded 12V
Low Volt disconnect Voltage. :default for Flooded 11.1V
Discharge Limit: default for Flooded 10.6V
Equalize Time: Link only mentions a max time. Left at default of 120 minutes.
Boost Time: Link for Absorption only mentions a max time. Left it at default of 120 minutes.


The following from the link does not correlate exact , but I can make sense of it. I did not change the Equalization voltages as noted above. Should I? Is that important in this case?
******************* From Link ***************************

At 12V:

Max Charge Current = 30% or less of Ah capacity (20 hour)

Absorption Voltage = 14.4V - 14.7V
Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Absorption Time = 12 Hours

Float Voltage = 13.8V - 14.1V
Float End Time = No Limit

Equalization = 15.0V to 15.3V
Equalization End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Max Equalization Time = 12 Hours

Temp Compensation = -.018V for every degree °C rise above 25C


***********************************


Anyone have the same controller and setup. What parameters are you using? Except for the parameters I can correlate, I am using the defaults for remaining limits/parameters based on defaults for the Flooded lead acid batteries.

[John61CT]

Disable auto equalize. Do that manually, ideally each battery isolated.

[flboy]

Disable auto equalize. Do that manually, ideally each battery isolated.

I have no idea how to do that (equalization) manually and isolating the four 6V cells and equalizing separately would take some work each time. Can you give me more info? I do not know alot about batteries and their chemistry so this is new ground for me. Why is the Auto Equalization on the Charge Controller bad? Any parameter I can adjust to make it more acceptable? Not looking for perfection in this case, but good enough.

Thanks.