Equalizing Batteries with a solar panel?

[BobnLesley]

For a variety of reasons, we've not been able to equalize our batteries for almost a year and are unlikely to get the chance anytime soon; I would enquire if the panel thinks that if as a stop-gap I would do good or harm, by putting a 19.9V charge to them from the solar panels by bypassing the solar panel's regulator? If it's a good idea, then for how long? I believe our charger's equalization setting was about 16 or 16.5 volts, at which we gave them around 2 hours.

 

[RAI]

You don't say how much solar power you have, or how big your battery bank is. Even if the panel's open circuit voltage is around 20 v, when connected to the batteries it will drop to maybe between 13 and 14 volts. - Unless you have a small battery and big panels.

 

[BobnLesley]

You don't say how much solar power you have, or how big your battery bank is...

Whoops, sorry, that probably would be helpful: The battery bank is 450 amp/hr @ 12 volts (four Trojan 6v/225amp/hr batteries) and the solar panel array, if all three are connected is 215 watts; I could of course split the battery bank into pairs and equalize 225 amp/hrs at a time.

 

[ianabc]

I believe,

Xantrex C60 C80 and perhaps C40 have equilisation built in

 

[RAI]

Whoops, sorry, that probably would be helpful: The battery bank is 450 amp/hr @ 12 volts (four Trojan 6v/225amp/hr batteries) and the solar panel array, if all three are connected is 215 watts; I could of course split the battery bank into pairs and equalize 225 amp/hrs at a time.

Even by splitting your bank into two pairs, I think the panels would struggle to equalize them. I guess the Trojans are wet cell, so you can check to see if they are gassing and replenish as needed. See
http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Equalizing.aspx

 

[TQA]

My bank is 675 ah. 6 x Trojan 105s. My solar panel total 400 watts. I have a Blu Sky controller with a setting for equalization which works well.

With your setup you are most likely seeing 11 to 13 amps max charge. This is just a bit more than a trickle charge for your bank.

I see no problems with by passing your controller and feeding the batteries direct.