Back to Basics
Welcome to my first blog. This blog is dedicated to electric GSE, with a heavy slant toward batteries and chargers. To get us started, it seems appropriate that we “get back to basics.” (I say “back,” although I’m not sure we were ever there in the first place.)
There’s a lot of technology to discuss, and we will. The technology for electric GSE has advanced significantly in recent years, and we’re all searching for ways to use technology to increase efficiency, and to ultimately add to the bottom line. But before we go any further, let’s first talk about maintenance.
I think this issue applies to almost everything in life. It doesn’t matter what you do to improve if you don’t have a solid foundation first. When it comes to batteries, it doesn’t matter what new battery technology, or charger technology, or tractor technology that you adopt. If you don’t maintain your batteries properly, you’re just wasting money.
Maintaining batteries is inherently difficult on the ramp. It’s never a warehouse condition where everything can be controlled. The ideal use of a battery is 8 hours of discharge, 8 hours of charge, and 8 hours of cool. Yeah, right! And don’t forget to equalize once per week and water immediately after the equalize charge. Watering systems, extra durable batteries, fast charging, and advanced controllers can’t overcome these maintenance needs.
So is it even possible to maintain batteries properly? Absolutely, but it will certainly take some effort. Let’s talk about how to free up $1M to your annual budget. To be continued . . .
P.S. Why equalize charge? I’m not sure what kills batteries on the ramp more, improper watering or under charging. You could probably go to any airport in the world that has electric equipment and find at least a few dry cells. But under charging is the silent killer. You can’t pull off a vent cap and see undercharging. You don’t even notice it while it’s happening until it’s too late. When you under charge a battery, the acid doesn’t completely come out of the plates. And over time, the acid remaining in the plates crystallizes and becomes what’s called sulphation; or we might say that the battery is sulphated. Sulphation drastically reduces battery performance and battery life. But if you bring a battery to 100% state of charge daily or regularly, and equalize charge weekly or regularly, you can eliminate this problem.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
could you comment on battery negitive to case voltage and effects on controller operation ,( we have a problem of over watering of the batterys and spillage )
July 18th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Jon,
You will be able to read voltage from the battery to the tray on almost any battery, even a clean one. However, if there is sufficient electrolyte or corrosion on the surface of the battery, there is a current carrying path from one of the battery posts to the battery tray and then to the tractor. This is bad for the battery, and potentially bad for people coming into contact with the tractor. Controllers should certainly sense this, but will vary on the voltage/current threshold and how they react. From a battery guy’s perspective, the battery should first be thoroughly cleaned and maybe acid adjusted if too much electrolyte has come out. Then proper watering – water to the recommended level and after charging. Watering systems are recommended.
I’d like to know what tractor we’re talking about. Give me a call to discuss further: 407-240-0909.
Todd
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 am
To the best of my knowledge it is not the acid that causes sulphation. But the leadsulphate that changes into hard crystals. This leads to the phenomina that the leadsulphate can no longer be separated in acid as a fluid and lead as a metal.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:41 am
Todd,as an ex-ops guy,now in Quality assurance,this forum is key to giving us “non-mechs” a tool to better understand the Work shop techs.Will pass on the resource to them t5oo!
Keep this up!
Moses
July 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
If you purchase a Bycan Systems charger, this would eliminate under and over charge. The Bycan unit goes into trickle mode when 80% of charge is reached. Then turns off when full voltage is reached. Also there is a product out called Hydro eye that eliminates the guess work on the condition of the cells. It easy to see led that tells you the condition of each cell and if it requires water.
July 27th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Lex - You are correct. I was just trying to keep it simple.