June 7, 20179 yr 2 hours ago, newbee said: Hi Chris What is the purpose of the Battery balancers HA-02?? what is the unit cost of the HA-02? Regards Cobus Hi Cobus I'll take the liberty to answer on @Chris-R's behalf. In any string of batteries connected in series the voltage of each battery should be virtually the same when the new. As they age so small variations arise due to differences in manufacture, storage, transport and a myriad of other factors. Slowly over time the differences become larger and larger. When you charge you apply a voltage to the whole bank not individual batteries. The batteries with the higher voltage get chronically overcharged and the batteries that are lower chronically undercharged. The standard solution in vented lead-acid batteries is to use an equalising charge, a higher than normal voltage charge that boils off some electrolyte and returns the voltage of individual batteries to within a couple of millivolts of each other. It is a destructive process but extends the life of the bank far beyond what would be possible without doing it. Valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) are sealed units (wet, Gel and AGM) and come with a fixed amount of electrolyte that is captured and recycled due to valves, that are part of their architecture, limiting how much gas escapes. An equalisation charge is an anathema to many VRLA batteries. Having removed the one string to your bow in terms of effective battery maintenance and alternative is need for VRLA batteries. There are several options, Zener balancers for one which I found did not work well for me. The HA02 is a single device that you can attach to 4 batteries ranging in voltage from 2.4V through to 12V. The device ensures that the batteries do not differ by more than 20mV and thus prolong the life the bank. I have yet to find someone who has installed them decide that they are not worth while. I imported HA01s (HA02 baby brother) for my bank nearly two years ago but the HA02 is a better device and cheaper than HA01s for a bank of 4 batteries. The cost at the moment is just shy of R800 but I know @Chris-R has run out and had to import more recently. Cost will depend on the Z(um)AR USD exchange rate. Some video links (I even feature in some of them ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK0vAKb2LpQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IbS5YUIGcc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPYL2aZkRPM&feature=youtu.be ..and a positive testimonial. http://powerforum.co.za/topic/1265-victron-vs-ha-02-battery-balancers/?do=findComment&comment=24381
June 8, 20179 yr Author Thanks @Chris Hobson Kobus how many units do you require? I might just be able to help you still with the existing units Next batch will be in by mid next week. Thanks
September 21, 20178 yr On 2017/03/28 at 5:16 PM, SilverNodashi said: Apart from the price? I don't see any reason why anyone would want to go the Axpert route these days. Other than the price and lot of stock with suppliers & installers. Please share the document you have, stating that the V series is on the approved list? im not saying anything but this is SA where the law and regulations and speed limits are all just guide lines (joke)
January 16, 20188 yr @Chris-R I have two banks of 4x200Ah Narada slim batteries charged by 6x 255 Canadian Solar and 6x260W JA Solar panels. I use a 5kVA Mecer (Axpert). I am concerned about the balance of my bank and I need to invest in the balancers. I am not in SA but there is someone there who can recieve them for me. I understand I need 2x of these, one for each bank?
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