lead acid battery maintenance.

[Fred Bloggs]

Keith R. Williams wrote:

Sounds about right. The lead-acid batteries I used were rated for
an eight-ten year life if treated well.

I was responsible[1] for a battery and charger where the designer
was so concerned with proper float charging that that's all he
designed. It worked wonders, as long as the battery was never
discharged. Since this battery was in a mainframe system (used
for crypto key retention and hardware tamper alarms) it was
decided[2] that this was a good scheme. After all, who powers
off a >$20M mainframe? The system and batteries were designed for
an eight-year life with up to a two-week power outage before the
keys were "zeroized" (reset because tamper alarms were no longer
reliable).

All was fine in systems test. After a couple of months in the
field we stated getting field reports with keys being zeroized,
and random tamper alarms. We found that the Japaneese are
required to shut down systems that aren't in actual production (a
surprise to everyone in mainframe-city). Each night the banks
powered down the systems for eight hours. The float charge
wasn't enough to *ever* fully charge the batteries, and wasn't
keeping up with the 2/3s duty cycle.

Moral: Always treat batteries as their manufacturer recommends.


[1] Design wasn't mine, but on my card and the designer retired
before TSHTF.

[2] The battery's manufacturer (Gates Energy) didn't like the
scheme at all, so I rather sided with them. I tried to fight city
hall....

Zounds like a backup for the Federal Reserve banking center system- have
heard stories about them Send me a $10M bill if you see one lying
around....

 

[Keith R. Williams]

In article <3FC7571D.8060406@nospam.com>, nospam@nospam.com
says...

Keith R. Williams wrote:



Sounds about right. The lead-acid batteries I used were rated for
an eight-ten year life if treated well.

I was responsible[1] for a battery and charger where the designer
was so concerned with proper float charging that that's all he
designed. It worked wonders, as long as the battery was never
discharged. Since this battery was in a mainframe system (used
for crypto key retention and hardware tamper alarms) it was
decided[2] that this was a good scheme. After all, who powers
off a >$20M mainframe? The system and batteries were designed for
an eight-year life with up to a two-week power outage before the
keys were "zeroized" (reset because tamper alarms were no longer
reliable).

All was fine in systems test. After a couple of months in the
field we stated getting field reports with keys being zeroized,
and random tamper alarms. We found that the Japaneese are
required to shut down systems that aren't in actual production (a
surprise to everyone in mainframe-city). Each night the banks
powered down the systems for eight hours. The float charge
wasn't enough to *ever* fully charge the batteries, and wasn't
keeping up with the 2/3s duty cycle.

Moral: Always treat batteries as their manufacturer recommends.


[1] Design wasn't mine, but on my card and the designer retired
before TSHTF.

[2] The battery's manufacturer (Gates Energy) didn't like the
scheme at all, so I rather sided with them. I tried to fight city
hall....


Zounds like a backup for the Federal Reserve banking center system- have
heard stories about them Send me a $10M bill if you see one lying
around....

Them too. ;-) ...and other three-letter government agencies. The
primary market was banking though.

--
Keith

 

[Russell Shaw]

CWatters wrote:

"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message
news:m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte

That sounds like the float voltage is slightly too high. Mine works just
fine with virtually no loss over 9 month. Some float chargers have an
adjustment so you can fine tune it. The main problem is that the adjustment
is usually inside the case and the case is not intended to opened by the
user because there are hazardous voltages. You need to make very small
adjustments with the battery connected and then wait a day or two to allow
the battery to adjust to the new voltage setting - then repeat until it's
right.

Make sure the charger has temperature tracking.

 

[MeditationMan]

Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...

"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's inexpensive.

 

[Northern Pie]

thanks for your review comment.

On Pulse tech battery rejuvinators

found this opinion also on the net which may be helpful to reviews
here..

On a slightly different note, IMHO the Pulsetech (Pulse Tech?)
Solargizer battery minder pulse desulfator doesn't work from my
reading of the postal vehicles government report. Wow, those Pulsetech
units are heavily promoted and pricey, too.

Seems that only a long-term control test can separate the wheat from
the chaff, as they say.

IMHO, PulseTech Redipulse is all snake-oil hype.



REPORT QUOTE: "the PulseTech test battery decreased at a greater rate
than the control battery."



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message news:<5a603bed.0312041350.27093208@posting.google.com>...

Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...
"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's inexpensive.

 

[Louis Bybee]

I haven't had the opportunity to read the Postal Vehicles Government Report
(anyone have a link for it?), but I have had some first hand experience with
the product.

My first exposure to Pulse Tech claims caused me to be rather wary, and
suspect "snake oil" or some similar substance was nearby. A customer that
introduced me to the Pulse Tech claims he ran across after replacing deep
cycle, and automotive, batteries a multiple of times, and suffering loss
other than the batteries when the batteries failed, offered to buy a unit,
and pay me for evaluation.

I discovered that if there wasn't physical damage to the plates (touching
each other - broken loose from attachments etc.), and sulphation was the
only condition affecting proper operation, the pulse device would bring the
battery back even where an initial attempt to charge with a voltage two, or
three times, the nominal battery voltage wouldn't result in current flow.

I also discovered that the longer the battery had remained in discharged
sulphated condition the lower the AH capacity of the recovered battery would
be.

Another interesting observation indicated very limited success when trying
to recover Gell Cell type Lead Acid Batteries. Enough so that I've stopped
trying to recover them, and now just send tem off to be recycled.

The end result is the customer now has four of the pulse devices for his
various toys, hasn't replaced any batteries due to off season sulphation in
storage, and I even bought one to play with. I do agree that the price seems
rather excessive, but it's my experience they work in cases where physical
damage isn't an issue.

My evaluation didn't involve a great number of batteries (approximately 40
total), and didn't involve as many diversified conditions, and situations as
a formal test certainly would have, but I am a believer at this point
(verified by the shock of those that witnessed my actually opening my own
wallet for my own).

Louis--
*********************************************
Remove the two fish in address to respond

"Northern Pie" <northernpie2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66c523.0312052344.6cdf73d9@posting.google.com...

thanks for your review comment.

On Pulse tech battery rejuvinators

found this opinion also on the net which may be helpful to reviews
here..

On a slightly different note, IMHO the Pulsetech (Pulse Tech?)
Solargizer battery minder pulse desulfator doesn't work from my
reading of the postal vehicles government report. Wow, those Pulsetech
units are heavily promoted and pricey, too.

Seems that only a long-term control test can separate the wheat from
the chaff, as they say.

IMHO, PulseTech Redipulse is all snake-oil hype.



REPORT QUOTE: "the PulseTech test battery decreased at a greater rate
than the control battery."



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message
news:<5a603bed.0312041350.27093208@posting.google.com>...
Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message
news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...
"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What
do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is
there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to
keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer
set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some
hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate
any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a
high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's
inexpensive.

 

[Northern Pie]

Here is another opinion ..

http://www.realgoods.com/board/tdoc.cfm?td=655&tm=2640&tstart=15#15

text from that site is below,

Here are my views after looking at the CSIRO test summary of the
Megapulse lab tests:
One battery outfitted with the Megapulse showed a lower output curve
than the "control" (non-Megapulse) battery

The lab did not reverse the batteries that were tested to make sure
that it was the Megapulse that provided a "benefit" to the two other
batteries.

Only 3 batteries (plus 1 control battery) were tested. The report
itself concuded that "more testing" was necessary, with a larger test
population, to come to any solid conclusions about the Megapulse pulse
technology device.

This CSIRO independent test report, in PDF format, had odd "??" and
"?" characters where "bullet points" or "/" characters were expected.
Does this mean that the report was a "draft" of some kind? Personally,
I don't believe that a professional lab would release a final report
with such obvious, typographical errors.

Aside from the CSIRO test, Megapulse also touts an "Austrian report"
as proof of its efficacy.

Here are my views of the Austrian lab report.

Buried in the report is a telling statement that in my view explains
why the tested batteries were benefited by the Megapulse
pulser/desulfation device: The review states: "To achieve an adequate
amount of energy, this current is fed additionally to the battery…."

To be perfect clear, in my view, this Austrian Megapulse test review
was skewed by the application of "external power source" to the
Megapulse desulfator during the test. However, many people might have
missed this item in the report, if they didn't read it very, very,
very carefully.

In other words, the batteries were being EXTERNALLY RECHARGED while
under test, and any "benefit" was attributed (incorrectly, in my view)
to the Megapulse device. In other words, the Megapulse acted as a
battery charger, so therefore, the battery would be stronger after
many hours on the "Megapulse".

As a judge of the Austrian lab and CSIRO reports, my view would be
that, in conclusion, that BOTH REPORTS ARE UNCONVINCING as to whether
the Megapulse provided any benefit whatsoever.

"Caveat Emptor" to anyone considering pulse type desulfation
desulfator-type technology devices. This echoes the sentiments and
opinions of other reviews and tests of users and consumers reporting
"snake oil" results. Other pulse charger devices, which may or may not
have true merit, include Batterymax, Sulfatak, EuroPulse (Euro Pulse),
Can-Pulse (CanPulse, Can-PULSE battery energizer), PowerPulse,
RediPulse, BatteryMINDer, (Battery Minder), Desulfynator, Desulfator,
Desulfytor, RessureX, Battery Pacemaker, and Solargizer (Solar Gizer)
devices.

Just some additional opinions on the Can-Pulse device(s):

The (formerly Solartech) Canadus website provides only "transcribed"
testimonials, not original documents. There are no addresses (Mitch
Oakes, Pal Dee Farms, Norbert Hirschken, Bale Bandits, Diesel Highway
Tractor Cab Heaters) on some of these testimonials, that these
testimonials can be verified. At leat one name (Pal Dee Farms) does
not all come up under Google searches.

 

[MeditationMan]

Reason that the Solargizer lowered the battery (CCA) capacity? IMHO it
is likely because the Solar Gizer is flawed because it may not have a
blocking diode on the solar panel. Can anyone confirm or correct this?

northernpie2002@yahoo.com (Northern Pie) wrote in message news:<66c523.0312090441.5d5ecd51@posting.google.com>...

Here is another opinion ..

http://www.realgoods.com/board/tdoc.cfm?td=655&tm=2640&tstart=15#15

text from that site is below,

Here are my views after looking at the CSIRO test summary of the
Megapulse lab tests:
One battery outfitted with the Megapulse showed a lower output curve
than the "control" (non-Megapulse) battery

The lab did not reverse the batteries that were tested to make sure
that it was the Megapulse that provided a "benefit" to the two other
batteries.

Only 3 batteries (plus 1 control battery) were tested. The report
itself concuded that "more testing" was necessary, with a larger test
population, to come to any solid conclusions about the Megapulse pulse
technology device.

This CSIRO independent test report, in PDF format, had odd "??" and
"?" characters where "bullet points" or "/" characters were expected.
Does this mean that the report was a "draft" of some kind? Personally,
I don't believe that a professional lab would release a final report
with such obvious, typographical errors.

Aside from the CSIRO test, Megapulse also touts an "Austrian report"
as proof of its efficacy.

Here are my views of the Austrian lab report.

Buried in the report is a telling statement that in my view explains
why the tested batteries were benefited by the Megapulse
pulser/desulfation device: The review states: "To achieve an adequate
amount of energy, this current is fed additionally to the battery?."

To be perfect clear, in my view, this Austrian Megapulse test review
was skewed by the application of "external power source" to the
Megapulse desulfator during the test. However, many people might have
missed this item in the report, if they didn't read it very, very,
very carefully.

In other words, the batteries were being EXTERNALLY RECHARGED while
under test, and any "benefit" was attributed (incorrectly, in my view)
to the Megapulse device. In other words, the Megapulse acted as a
battery charger, so therefore, the battery would be stronger after
many hours on the "Megapulse".

As a judge of the Austrian lab and CSIRO reports, my view would be
that, in conclusion, that BOTH REPORTS ARE UNCONVINCING as to whether
the Megapulse provided any benefit whatsoever.

"Caveat Emptor" to anyone considering pulse type desulfation
desulfator-type technology devices. This echoes the sentiments and
opinions of other reviews and tests of users and consumers reporting
"snake oil" results. Other pulse charger devices, which may or may not
have true merit, include Batterymax, Sulfatak, EuroPulse (Euro Pulse),
Can-Pulse (CanPulse, Can-PULSE battery energizer), PowerPulse,
RediPulse, BatteryMINDer, (Battery Minder), Desulfynator, Desulfator,
Desulfytor, RessureX, Battery Pacemaker, and Solargizer (Solar Gizer)
devices.

Just some additional opinions on the Can-Pulse device(s):

The (formerly Solartech) Canadus website provides only "transcribed"
testimonials, not original documents. There are no addresses (Mitch
Oakes, Pal Dee Farms, Norbert Hirschken, Bale Bandits, Diesel Highway
Tractor Cab Heaters) on some of these testimonials, that these
testimonials can be verified. At leat one name (Pal Dee Farms) does
not all come up under Google searches.

 

[Northern Pie]

"Louis Bybee" <louistroutbybee@comcasttrout.net> wrote in message news:<OdCAb.253950$Dw6.874642@attbi_s02>...

My first exposure to Pulse Tech claims caused me to be rather wary, and
suspect "snake oil" or some similar substance was nearby. A customer that

Here, below, is a user-groupie's posting on the 'net on Pulse Tech - Solargizer:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev/message/30666

So, have the skeptics given these devices a field test that
failed, or
just surmised that they don't work without testing them? I'd
like to
hear more.

-Dave
'92 Mazda B2600

I've had a chance to test both a (PulseTech?) PowerPulse 12V
model and a CanPulse 96V unit. I walked the 12V unit through my
pack and was unable to notice any significant change in terms of
specific gravity, appearance of the plates as viewed through the
filler hole (flooded batteries), and time-to-dead on a 75A load
test. The same almost applies to the CanPulse, with the
exception that it SEEMED to make the tops of the plates look a
little cleaner as viewed through the filler hole.

That was with three to four year old batteries (10-15K miles) on
my first EV pack. The CanPulse seems to put out a much stronger
pulse than the Power Pulse (I can really pick up the CanPulse on
my Tenma clip-on ammeter, plus it also gives the really cheap
voltmeters a big measurement error when measuring pack voltage).
I still have the CanPulse and use it on occasion for a few weeks
at a time on my second pack (that has about 2000-3000 miles).
But I don't know that I'm really doing much more than using up
charge on the batteries to run it. At this point, I wouldn't
spend the money on it. I think keeping the batteries well
charged and well exercised is the key.

Keep in mind that up to now MOST of my EV cycles have been pretty
shallow. Now with my new job I have to drive further most days,
so things might change.

Chuck Hursch
Larkspur, CA

== end of snipped text ==

 

[Libra Goat]

Here's one opinion at another forum, worth reading perhaps?

Aryu Real


Another day, another Pulse device newsletter hype
Seems that the pulse hype doctors are very busy again, hoping we've
forgotten about magnets on our fuel lines they sold us in the '70s.

One particularly galling example IMO is the Pulsetech webpage showing
Clare Bell in an "article" insinuating that the Powerpulse or
Solargizer can deliver 47% "more mileage" from an electric car.

Well, I did some searches on the net on Ms. Bell, and in her actual
posts to the Sparrow Electric Car hobby group in Yahoo, she actually
writes to her group that the "results were mixed". Certainly, if the
47% mileage gain was proved, she would have been IMO jumping up and
down telling the whole world the good news about these pulsers.

The "reviews" and "testimonials" by many of the vendor's webpages are
just, in reality, advertising. Someone tried to track down some of the
testimonials and lab tests, and found that not one on the Battery
Enhancement Systems Sulfatak "pulse users" would confirm the
"testimonials" attributed to them.

So much, then, for fair, unbiased, and independent reviews and lab
tests for these pulse technology devices.

Ralph Nader, where are you?



"Louis Bybee" <louistroutbybee@comcasttrout.net> wrote in message news:<OdCAb.253950$Dw6.874642@attbi_s02>...

I haven't had the opportunity to read the Postal Vehicles Government Report
(anyone have a link for it?), but I have had some first hand experience with
the product.

My first exposure to Pulse Tech claims caused me to be rather wary, and
suspect "snake oil" or some similar substance was nearby. A customer that
introduced me to the Pulse Tech claims he ran across after replacing deep
cycle, and automotive, batteries a multiple of times, and suffering loss
other than the batteries when the batteries failed, offered to buy a unit,
and pay me for evaluation.

I discovered that if there wasn't physical damage to the plates (touching
each other - broken loose from attachments etc.), and sulphation was the
only condition affecting proper operation, the pulse device would bring the
battery back even where an initial attempt to charge with a voltage two, or
three times, the nominal battery voltage wouldn't result in current flow.

I also discovered that the longer the battery had remained in discharged
sulphated condition the lower the AH capacity of the recovered battery would
be.

Another interesting observation indicated very limited success when trying
to recover Gell Cell type Lead Acid Batteries. Enough so that I've stopped
trying to recover them, and now just send tem off to be recycled.

The end result is the customer now has four of the pulse devices for his
various toys, hasn't replaced any batteries due to off season sulphation in
storage, and I even bought one to play with. I do agree that the price seems
rather excessive, but it's my experience they work in cases where physical
damage isn't an issue.

My evaluation didn't involve a great number of batteries (approximately 40
total), and didn't involve as many diversified conditions, and situations as
a formal test certainly would have, but I am a believer at this point
(verified by the shock of those that witnessed my actually opening my own
wallet for my own).

Louis--
*********************************************
Remove the two fish in address to respond

"Northern Pie" <northernpie2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66c523.0312052344.6cdf73d9@posting.google.com...
thanks for your review comment.

On Pulse tech battery rejuvinators

found this opinion also on the net which may be helpful to reviews
here..

On a slightly different note, IMHO the Pulsetech (Pulse Tech?)
Solargizer battery minder pulse desulfator doesn't work from my
reading of the postal vehicles government report. Wow, those Pulsetech
units are heavily promoted and pricey, too.

Seems that only a long-term control test can separate the wheat from
the chaff, as they say.

IMHO, PulseTech Redipulse is all snake-oil hype.



REPORT QUOTE: "the PulseTech test battery decreased at a greater rate
than the control battery."



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message
news:<5a603bed.0312041350.27093208@posting.google.com>...
Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message
news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...
"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What
do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is
there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to
keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer
set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some
hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate
any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a
high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's
inexpensive.

 

[als]

I believe you can get some (reasonably) objective views on
desulfation at:
http://pub36.ezboard.com/fleadacidbatterydesulfationfrm1
My personal opinion, based on my experience:
Desulfators work on sulfated batteries that are amenable
to desulfators. The battery must be in reasonably good
shape (can take a charge) and no shorted cells or other
serious damage. I have had no luck at all with VLRA's
or gel-cels, desulfation-wise, but have recovered some
capacity in batteries that were allowed to sit discharged
long enough to accumulate class-III sulfates.
I have never purchased a commercial unit, so I am not
qualified to comment on them, other than some seem to be
better quality than others.
<als>

In article <66c523.0312090441.5d5ecd51@posting.google.com>, northernpie2002@yahoo.com says...

Here is another opinion ..

http://www.realgoods.com/board/tdoc.cfm?td=655&tm=2640&tstart=15#15

 

[Jim Adney]

On 12 Dec 2003 23:49:12 GMT als73@hotmail.com (als) wrote:

My personal opinion, based on my experience:
Desulfators work on sulfated batteries that are amenable
to desulfators. The battery must be in reasonably good
shape (can take a charge) and no shorted cells or other
serious damage.

I have occasionally recovered lead-acid batteries that had sulfated. I
agree with the statement above.

In general, you can desulfate a lead acid battery if there are no
shorted cells or broken electrodes and if you have lots of time. It's
easy, just apply a very low trickle charge for a long period of time.
50mA for a week is likely, although I had one that actually recovered
in 2 weeks.

The main thing is not to try to speed it up by applying too much
current. You can probe the voltages in each cell as the charging
continues. A shorted cell will show up as 0 volts and always (in my
limited experience) means that further effort will be pointless.

It's probably easier to just measure the overall battery voltage,
which should come up above 12V (for 6 cells) within a day. It's easy
to spot a battery with a shorted cell by the fact that its voltage
just doesn't seem to want to go above 11V (or 8.7V, or...) It's always
a multiple of about 2.2V low....

-
-----------------------------------------------
Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711 USA
-----------------------------------------------

 

[Electric Bike & Scooter G]

Looks like the market for pulsetech battery pulse products are drying.
the prices at e--bay are "walking off a cliff". pulsetech's
solargizers are selling for 1/6 of their suggested retail prices.
another battery pulsers aren't getting any bids. in my mind, this
proliferation of sales at e--bay at heavily discounted prices may be
disguised blow-out or inventory dumping by manufacturers themselves
hiding under an e--bay guise. perhaps the pulse technology makers
realize that their testimonials and "reviews" (posted by vendors!)
aren't snookering the public given the 1-year post office vehicles
study showing lowered cold cranking amps (CCA) after pulsetech
solargizer was installed. ha-ha, too to the pulse tech claim of 47%
mileage increase -- too good to be true, of course imho.


xyzrsxxx@yahoo.com (Libra Goat) wrote in message news:<369642b1.0312092124.49fba63b@posting.google.com>...

Here's one opinion at another forum, worth reading perhaps?

Aryu Real


Another day, another Pulse device newsletter hype
Seems that the pulse hype doctors are very busy again, hoping we've
forgotten about magnets on our fuel lines they sold us in the '70s.

One particularly galling example IMO is the Pulsetech webpage showing
Clare Bell in an "article" insinuating that the Powerpulse or
Solargizer can deliver 47% "more mileage" from an electric car.

Well, I did some searches on the net on Ms. Bell, and in her actual
posts to the Sparrow Electric Car hobby group in Yahoo, she actually
writes to her group that the "results were mixed". Certainly, if the
47% mileage gain was proved, she would have been IMO jumping up and
down telling the whole world the good news about these pulsers.

The "reviews" and "testimonials" by many of the vendor's webpages are
just, in reality, advertising. Someone tried to track down some of the
testimonials and lab tests, and found that not one on the Battery
Enhancement Systems Sulfatak "pulse users" would confirm the
"testimonials" attributed to them.

So much, then, for fair, unbiased, and independent reviews and lab
tests for these pulse technology devices.

Ralph Nader, where are you?



"Louis Bybee" <louistroutbybee@comcasttrout.net> wrote in message news:<OdCAb.253950$Dw6.874642@attbi_s02>...
I haven't had the opportunity to read the Postal Vehicles Government Report
(anyone have a link for it?), but I have had some first hand experience with
the product.

My first exposure to Pulse Tech claims caused me to be rather wary, and
suspect "snake oil" or some similar substance was nearby. A customer that
introduced me to the Pulse Tech claims he ran across after replacing deep
cycle, and automotive, batteries a multiple of times, and suffering loss
other than the batteries when the batteries failed, offered to buy a unit,
and pay me for evaluation.

I discovered that if there wasn't physical damage to the plates (touching
each other - broken loose from attachments etc.), and sulphation was the
only condition affecting proper operation, the pulse device would bring the
battery back even where an initial attempt to charge with a voltage two, or
three times, the nominal battery voltage wouldn't result in current flow.

I also discovered that the longer the battery had remained in discharged
sulphated condition the lower the AH capacity of the recovered battery would
be.

Another interesting observation indicated very limited success when trying
to recover Gell Cell type Lead Acid Batteries. Enough so that I've stopped
trying to recover them, and now just send tem off to be recycled.

The end result is the customer now has four of the pulse devices for his
various toys, hasn't replaced any batteries due to off season sulphation in
storage, and I even bought one to play with. I do agree that the price seems
rather excessive, but it's my experience they work in cases where physical
damage isn't an issue.

My evaluation didn't involve a great number of batteries (approximately 40
total), and didn't involve as many diversified conditions, and situations as
a formal test certainly would have, but I am a believer at this point
(verified by the shock of those that witnessed my actually opening my own
wallet for my own).

Louis--
*********************************************
Remove the two fish in address to respond

"Northern Pie" <northernpie2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66c523.0312052344.6cdf73d9@posting.google.com...
thanks for your review comment.

On Pulse tech battery rejuvinators

found this opinion also on the net which may be helpful to reviews
here..

On a slightly different note, IMHO the Pulsetech (Pulse Tech?)
Solargizer battery minder pulse desulfator doesn't work from my
reading of the postal vehicles government report. Wow, those Pulsetech
units are heavily promoted and pricey, too.

Seems that only a long-term control test can separate the wheat from
the chaff, as they say.

IMHO, PulseTech Redipulse is all snake-oil hype.



REPORT QUOTE: "the PulseTech test battery decreased at a greater rate
than the control battery."



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message
news:<5a603bed.0312041350.27093208@posting.google.com>...
Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message
news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...
"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What
do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is
there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to
keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer
set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some
hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate
any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a
high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's
inexpensive.

 

[Northern Pie]

I saw 5 "desulfators" in Ebay Completed Bids that didn't attract any
bids, and expired unsold last week.



On the fundamental issue of whether these pulse devices really work,
some people are seeing a "mirage" in battery improvement because they
used a Midtronics conductance battery tester instead of a carbon-pile
battery load tester.

This post claims to describe the "mirage" effect, although I haven't
verified what this poster sez:
http://www.realgoods.com/board/tdoc.cfm?td=699&tm=2661
Pulse testing is a mirage anyway, although Midtronics doesn't tell you
the fact that conductance testers are grossly inaccurate. especially
if you don't wait 12 hours, or overnight, before running the battery
tester. If Midtronics told their customers this tester limitation,
they'd sell a lot fewer digital battery testers. I'd guess that the
"improvement" seen by Solargizer and Batteryminder reviews are mere
mirages because they didn't wait the necessary 12+ hours to let the
surface charge settle down. Some European battery tester vendors are
more honest than Midtronics, OTC-SPX, and KAL EQUIPMENT, imho. Just my
2 cents. Fuggedabout Pulsetech, despite any reviews and testimonials.
Who paid for these lab tests, anyway?
------- end of Realgoods post-----




Here's one "improvement" post in Trawler World forum:
http://lists.samurai.com/pipermail/trawler-world-list/2001-March/030386.html
I have only played with the BatteryMINDer.

The BatteryMINDer will trickle-charge 4 batteries at once. But in
Pulse Mode (this is why we use it) it will de-sulphate ONLY one
battery
at a time.

This poses a problem because we need one Pulse unit for
each battery - not so convenient when you have a bank to do.

How long should it remain each battery? The longer the better as
it will never overcharge or hurt the battery (13.03 volts). While on
the
pulser, a battery will not even sulphate at lower voltages
which normaly allow sulphation.

I find it best to rotate the unit with 4 or 5 days on each battery
(some commercial units claim that only a few hours are necessary).

The GOOD news it that after the plates are polished the CCA/AH
remains high as long as you keep the battery properly charged.

If the battery capacity goes down -pulse for a few days.

The pulser likes batteries to be cycled and rewards you with even more
capacity
after each cycle.

I brought back a 7 year old Delco Voyager from 450 MCA to its rated
720
MCA, but it took almost one month on the pulse charger. This is a
worse case
and on a younger battery normally 7 days use will polish most of the
plate's
surface.
If the plates are not too far gone, you can even raise the MCA/CCA/
rating
higher than stated on the battery's label! I took several small 525
MCA
starting batteries up to 545+MCA! Before pulsing the ratings were in
the
low 400s.

The best way to go would be to have several pulse units and rotate
them
every
several weeks. You still use your ship's charger for the bulk charge,
just
use the
pulsers when you are not cruising or away from the boat to polish the
plates.

I have confirmed the results by a timed discharge test and with the
use of a Midtronics battery tester.

Brian Hall
CHB 45 "Any Sea"
-- end of Trawler World post ------


electricbikesguide@yahoo.com (Electric Bike & Scooter Guide) wrote in message news:<6169fc3a.0312130816.65deab25@posting.google.com>...

Looks like the market for pulsetech battery pulse products are drying.
the prices at e--bay are "walking off a cliff". pulsetech's
solargizers are selling for 1/6 of their suggested retail prices.
another battery pulsers aren't getting any bids. in my mind, this
proliferation of sales at e--bay at heavily discounted prices may be
disguised blow-out or inventory dumping by manufacturers themselves
hiding under an e--bay guise. perhaps the pulse technology makers
realize that their testimonials and "reviews" (posted by vendors!)
aren't snookering the public given the 1-year post office vehicles
study showing lowered cold cranking amps (CCA) after pulsetech
solargizer was installed. ha-ha, too to the pulse tech claim of 47%
mileage increase -- too good to be true, of course imho.


xyzrsxxx@yahoo.com (Libra Goat) wrote in message news:<369642b1.0312092124.49fba63b@posting.google.com>...
Here's one opinion at another forum, worth reading perhaps?

Aryu Real


Another day, another Pulse device newsletter hype
Seems that the pulse hype doctors are very busy again, hoping we've
forgotten about magnets on our fuel lines they sold us in the '70s.

One particularly galling example IMO is the Pulsetech webpage showing
Clare Bell in an "article" insinuating that the Powerpulse or
Solargizer can deliver 47% "more mileage" from an electric car.

Well, I did some searches on the net on Ms. Bell, and in her actual
posts to the Sparrow Electric Car hobby group in Yahoo, she actually
writes to her group that the "results were mixed". Certainly, if the
47% mileage gain was proved, she would have been IMO jumping up and
down telling the whole world the good news about these pulsers.

The "reviews" and "testimonials" by many of the vendor's webpages are
just, in reality, advertising. Someone tried to track down some of the
testimonials and lab tests, and found that not one on the Battery
Enhancement Systems Sulfatak "pulse users" would confirm the
"testimonials" attributed to them.

So much, then, for fair, unbiased, and independent reviews and lab
tests for these pulse technology devices.

Ralph Nader, where are you?



"Louis Bybee" <louistroutbybee@comcasttrout.net> wrote in message news:<OdCAb.253950$Dw6.874642@attbi_s02>...
I haven't had the opportunity to read the Postal Vehicles Government Report
(anyone have a link for it?), but I have had some first hand experience with
the product.

My first exposure to Pulse Tech claims caused me to be rather wary, and
suspect "snake oil" or some similar substance was nearby. A customer that
introduced me to the Pulse Tech claims he ran across after replacing deep
cycle, and automotive, batteries a multiple of times, and suffering loss
other than the batteries when the batteries failed, offered to buy a unit,
and pay me for evaluation.

I discovered that if there wasn't physical damage to the plates (touching
each other - broken loose from attachments etc.), and sulphation was the
only condition affecting proper operation, the pulse device would bring the
battery back even where an initial attempt to charge with a voltage two, or
three times, the nominal battery voltage wouldn't result in current flow.

I also discovered that the longer the battery had remained in discharged
sulphated condition the lower the AH capacity of the recovered battery would
be.

Another interesting observation indicated very limited success when trying
to recover Gell Cell type Lead Acid Batteries. Enough so that I've stopped
trying to recover them, and now just send tem off to be recycled.

The end result is the customer now has four of the pulse devices for his
various toys, hasn't replaced any batteries due to off season sulphation in
storage, and I even bought one to play with. I do agree that the price seems
rather excessive, but it's my experience they work in cases where physical
damage isn't an issue.

My evaluation didn't involve a great number of batteries (approximately 40
total), and didn't involve as many diversified conditions, and situations as
a formal test certainly would have, but I am a believer at this point
(verified by the shock of those that witnessed my actually opening my own
wallet for my own).

Louis--
*********************************************
Remove the two fish in address to respond

"Northern Pie" <northernpie2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66c523.0312052344.6cdf73d9@posting.google.com...
thanks for your review comment.

On Pulse tech battery rejuvinators

found this opinion also on the net which may be helpful to reviews
here..

On a slightly different note, IMHO the Pulsetech (Pulse Tech?)
Solargizer battery minder pulse desulfator doesn't work from my
reading of the postal vehicles government report. Wow, those Pulsetech
units are heavily promoted and pricey, too.

Seems that only a long-term control test can separate the wheat from
the chaff, as they say.

IMHO, PulseTech Redipulse is all snake-oil hype.



REPORT QUOTE: "the PulseTech test battery decreased at a greater rate
than the control battery."



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message
news:<5a603bed.0312041350.27093208@posting.google.com>...
Tried an expensive solar-powered battery maintainer (Solargizer).
Didn't work for me. Sold it at auction for a $90 loss. That's my
review, to add to any reviews of this product.


"Neil Preston" <npreston@no.spam.swbell.net> wrote in message
news:<m_Axb.3092$to5.635@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com>...
"Johan Wagener" <pil(nospam)@webmail.co.za> wrote in message
news:5rudnTBz2pvmv1yiU-KYgw@is.co.za...
Lead Acid batteries die when they discharge completely right? What
do I
need
to keep my battery alive? Will a simple 12V DC power supply do? Is
there a
more advanced circuit that can be used to charge the battery and to
keep
it
charged?



Keeping a garden tractor battery alive over the winter has in the past
proved to be a challenge.

Float chargers on for 24/7 tend to 'evaporate' the electrolyte.

I've found the most effective solution to be to use an appliance timer
set
to turn on a standard battery charger for its minimum time (about 15
minutes) every day. The charge is 'hot' enough to generate some
hydrogen
bubbles to agitate the electrolyte, but short enough not to evaporate
any
significant amount.

To eliminate sulfation, I use a Solargizer, which applies a
high-frequency,
high voltage pulsating current to bust up the sulfate molecules.

The system seems to work well for car batteries, too. And it's
inexpensive.

 

[Northern Pie]

This text below is from GDG Georgia Tech forum on pulse desulfators...

<snipped text starts>

Batteryminder surprise - consumer report
Surprise! BatteryMinder doesn't tell you this until too late.

Batteryminder's website, and the dozens of its dealers are IMHO
misleading. After I got the 4 amp 12v Batteryminder, here's what I
found out, contrary (or Batteryminder failed to so disclose) to
Batteryminder's info.

[Quoting directly from Batteryminders operating instruction sheet]

= If your battery does not have a minimum "resting" voltage* it cannot
be charged or desulphated.

MINIMUM RESTING VOLTAGE:
12V = 10.5V, 24V = 21V, 36V = 31.5V

= Always DESULPHATE - CONDITION ONE (1) BATTERY AT A TIME, unless
batteries are in series. If in series-parallel desulphate 1 pair (2)
of series connected batteries at one time.

= All Batteryminder type Constant Voltage maintenance
charger-desulphators can be used to maintain up to four (4) 12-volt
batteries at a time, providing each battery is fully operational (no
dead-dying cells), free of sulphate and meeting the minimum full
charge "rested" voltage of 2.13 volts / cell, after being fully
desulphated.


= Test sealed (no filler caps) batteries using an accurate DIGITAL
type ONLY, voltmeter.

= Attempting to desulphate more than one (1) battery at a time will
yield very poor results..

= Only batteries of the SAME type, as well as SAME
chemistry-contruction .. should be maintained together. Never mix
batteries of different type construction / chemistry

= This [desulfation] process can take .. several weeks .. Rememer, to
obtain an accurate condition, you must test battery after it has
"rested" = battery that is fully charged 12+ hours ago, without any
load being applied to it.


--------

My view of all this: With so many caveats and "preconditions",
Batteryminder in my opinion is over-marketed and over-promoted by its
dealers and the Battery Minder website. At a very minimum,
Batteryminder should have revealed the device's limitations, up front,
and have included this information in its reviews, independent lab
tests, testimonials, and endorsements. I can't recall a single
Batteryminder review that mentioned these preconditions and
limitations. Is it any wonder that it seems that mainly
Batteryminder's sales dealers have good reviews about Batterminder's
pulse maintainer?

If Batteryminder calls its device a "battery charger", why is this
precondition in its owner's manual:

"BatteryMinder will have no electrical output unless it is connected
to a "healthy" battery .. If your battery does not have a minimum
"resting" voltage, it cannot be properly charged or desulphated.
Replace battery (*Resting voltage = Voltage in a battery that has not
been charged or discharged within 12 hours MINIMUM)."


Is this a joke on Batteryminder purchasers? In my view, it sure seems
to be.

I feel totally misled by Batteryminder's advertising. It is b-ll, or
worse, im my view.

<snipped text ends>



bicycleinsights@yahoo.com (MeditationMan) wrote in message news:<5a603bed.0312091245.391acf7@posting.google.com>...

Reason that the Solargizer lowered the battery (CCA) capacity? IMHO it
is likely because the Solar Gizer is flawed because it may not have a
blocking diode on the solar panel. Can anyone confirm or correct this?

northernpie2002@yahoo.com (Northern Pie) wrote in message news:<66c523.0312090441.5d5ecd51@posting.google.com>...
Here is another opinion ..

http://www.realgoods.com/board/tdoc.cfm?td=655&tm=2640&tstart=15#15

text from that site is below,

Here are my views after looking at the CSIRO test summary of the
Megapulse lab tests:
One battery outfitted with the Megapulse showed a lower output curve
than the "control" (non-Megapulse) battery

The lab did not reverse the batteries that were tested to make sure
that it was the Megapulse that provided a "benefit" to the two other
batteries.

Only 3 batteries (plus 1 control battery) were tested. The report
itself concuded that "more testing" was necessary, with a larger test
population, to come to any solid conclusions about the Megapulse pulse
technology device.

This CSIRO independent test report, in PDF format, had odd "??" and
"?" characters where "bullet points" or "/" characters were expected.
Does this mean that the report was a "draft" of some kind? Personally,
I don't believe that a professional lab would release a final report
with such obvious, typographical errors.

Aside from the CSIRO test, Megapulse also touts an "Austrian report"
as proof of its efficacy.

Here are my views of the Austrian lab report.

Buried in the report is a telling statement that in my view explains
why the tested batteries were benefited by the Megapulse
pulser/desulfation device: The review states: "To achieve an adequate
amount of energy, this current is fed additionally to the battery?."

To be perfect clear, in my view, this Austrian Megapulse test review
was skewed by the application of "external power source" to the
Megapulse desulfator during the test. However, many people might have
missed this item in the report, if they didn't read it very, very,
very carefully.

In other words, the batteries were being EXTERNALLY RECHARGED while
under test, and any "benefit" was attributed (incorrectly, in my view)
to the Megapulse device. In other words, the Megapulse acted as a
battery charger, so therefore, the battery would be stronger after
many hours on the "Megapulse".

As a judge of the Austrian lab and CSIRO reports, my view would be
that, in conclusion, that BOTH REPORTS ARE UNCONVINCING as to whether
the Megapulse provided any benefit whatsoever.

"Caveat Emptor" to anyone considering pulse type desulfation
desulfator-type technology devices. This echoes the sentiments and
opinions of other reviews and tests of users and consumers reporting
"snake oil" results. Other pulse charger devices, which may or may not
have true merit, include Batterymax, Sulfatak, EuroPulse (Euro Pulse),
Can-Pulse (CanPulse, Can-PULSE battery energizer), PowerPulse,
RediPulse, BatteryMINDer, (Battery Minder), Desulfynator, Desulfator,
Desulfytor, RessureX, Battery Pacemaker, and Solargizer (Solar Gizer)
devices.

Just some additional opinions on the Can-Pulse device(s):

The (formerly Solartech) Canadus website provides only "transcribed"
testimonials, not original documents. There are no addresses (Mitch
Oakes, Pal Dee Farms, Norbert Hirschken, Bale Bandits, Diesel Highway
Tractor Cab Heaters) on some of these testimonials, that these
testimonials can be verified. At leat one name (Pal Dee Farms) does
not all come up under Google searches.