Some battery chargers have an equalize charge as part of the charge system. If you have a manual charger you can let it on the batteries for an extra hour after they are fully charged. This will "bake" them (equalize). It just puts in more voltage and less amps causing the battery to heat up and make it bubble. It helps to "restore" the capacity of the battery. Some of the acid gets absorbed into the lead and doesn't release when chrarging. The baking ofthe battery will help to release some of it back into the water mix.
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Don't know what you mean by equalize. Usually if they are 2 12V batts, you wire them parallel (Positive to positive, negative to negative). That will keep it at 12V and the amps will be added together.
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shawnw wrote: Don't know what you mean by equalize. Usually if they are 2 12V batts, you wire them parallel (Positive to positive, negative to negative). That will keep it at 12V and the amps will be added together.
Equalizing the batteries is to bring all the cells inside the battery back equaly to max voltage. Typicaly there are 2.2 volts per cell. If (1) cell is a little low on water it will have a different voltage ((specific gravity) acid content). Even if water is added there will still be a slight differnce in voltage in each cell. By equalizing the batteries all the cells will be brought back up to the same voltage, thus making it more efficient. If (1) is left low it will shorten the usable time and shorten the life of the battery. Hope this helps
If you "don't know what you mean by equalize" you probably shouldn't answer the question.
First, are these wet cell batteries or AGM? AGM batteries normally shouldn't be equalized.
Assuming they are wet cell, you need to find the manufacturer's recommended equalization voltage. It's probably around 15v but I would check with them.
What are you charging with? An AC charger or solar? Most good solar charge controllers have an equalize setting that you can program in the appropriate voltage and length of time.
If it's an AC charger it may or may not be capable or charging to a high enough voltage.
A very rough guess without knowing what batteries you have would be to charge them to 15v for 1 to 2 hours. Then check the electrolyte; they will likely need some added.
Following the equalization, you will need to check the electrolyte (Specific Gravity Level Tester) in each cell, and they will likely need some Distilled Water only added.
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Check the manual for your inverter/charger. Mine (Xantrex) has detailed instructions on how to go a about this and the inverter has a program to handle this chore automaticly.
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