Battery Bank Give us your thoughts
Ver-Mac 2018 PCMS Operations, Safety & Maintenance V3.0 41
12.2.1 Battery Fluid Level
Maintaining the fluid level in the battery cells is the most effective way of optimizing the
service life of the battery bank.
Fill the batteries after extended charging.
Be sure to check the electrolyte level after charging. Keep below the bottom of the fill
well in the cell cover.
Never fill or overfill the battery cells. When the battery charges, the
electrolyte can overflow, causing corrosion and other damage.
In warm climates and during the summer, check the battery fluid levels every 30
days.
2. Look inside and check the electrolyte levels. Minimum level required for charging the
battery is at the top of the plates
If level is below the plates add enough distilled water to cover the plates before charging
the battery
Fully charge the battery before adding more distilled water
3. When the battery is charged remove the vent caps and check the electrolyte levels
again
Add distilled water until electrolyte level is 1/8 inch (30 cm) below the top
Replace and tighten all vent caps
12.2.2 Battery Charging and Testing
Visual inspections of batteries are important, but they do not tell you the actual
condition of the batteries. You need to test the batteries to determine their state of
charge and overall condition. Then you can determine whether or not the battery bank
needs replacing.
12.2.2.1 Check Battery Voltage
Take real voltage readings when the batteries are neither charging nor discharging;
nothing connected and turned on. Also make sure that the batteries have been
resting, and not charging for at least 30 minutes before taking the reading.
Be absolutely certain that the solar panels and the charger are disconnected
before taking your reading.
Digital voltmeters should read as the voltage shown on the state of charge
(SOC) chart
Voltage readings in the 10.5 V range on a charged battery typically indicates
an internal short in a battery cell
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