January 8, 2024
I have been struggling with a decision for a few weeks about changes in my battery charging settings. Today I asked ChatGPT for help making the decision. I asked…
Can I talk something over with you? It’s regarding my lithium batteries and charging them with my alternator and Balmar regulator. Right now, the settings on the regulator are such that the charging cuts off too early, especially when we motor long distances. The batteries get to 100 percent, but just. I am considering changing the regulator settings to force the bulk charge time to be longer and setting the absorption voltage to be the same as the bulk voltage.
On the other hand, I’m thinking if it ain’t broke… I worry that the cells in the batteries aren’t getting equalized as they spend very little time at or near 100%. I opened the batteries and measured the individual cell voltages and they are within 0.002 volts of each other after almost two years of use since the last measurement. Maybe I shouldn’t mess something that’s working?
ChatGPT’s Response to Me…
It sounds like you’re carefully considering how to optimize the charging of your lithium batteries to ensure they are maintained in top condition, especially during long motoring distances. Your concern about the batteries cutting off too early in the charging process is valid, particularly with the goal of maximizing their lifespan and performance. Here are some thoughts and considerations:
- Bulk and Absorption Voltage Settings: Setting the absorption voltage equal to the bulk voltage can indeed ensure that the batteries are fully charged, especially if the current setup seems to cut off the charge too early. This adjustment could help in achieving a deeper charge, potentially benefiting the battery’s longevity and usable capacity.
- Equalization and Cell Balance: Your observation about the cell voltages being within 0.002 volts of each other is a good sign of balanced cells, which is crucial for lithium battery health. This balance indicates that your current setup has not adversely affected the battery’s internal equilibrium, which is a positive outcome.
- If It Ain’t Broke: The adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is often wise, especially in complex systems where changes can have unintended consequences. Given the batteries are showing good balance and have been performing well under the current settings, there’s an argument to be made for maintaining your current setup, especially if it has been reliably supporting your needs.
- Risks of Adjusting Settings: While adjusting the settings might improve charging efficiency or depth, it’s important to weigh this against the risk of potentially overcharging or stressing the batteries, which could affect their lifespan. Lithium batteries have specific charging requirements, and deviations from these parameters can sometimes lead to negative outcomes.
- Consulting Manufacturer Guidelines: If you haven’t already, reviewing the manufacturer’s guidelines or reaching out to them (or a knowledgeable community) for advice on charging settings might provide insights tailored to your specific battery type. They might offer recommendations on whether your proposed changes are safe and beneficial for your battery model.
- Monitoring After Changes: Should you decide to adjust the regulator settings, closely monitoring the batteries’ response to these changes would be crucial. Keep an eye on cell voltage balance, any signs of overheating, or unusual behaviors. This vigilance can help you quickly revert any adjustments if adverse effects are observed.
Given the balanced state of your battery cells and your thoughtful approach to their maintenance, either decision requires weighing the benefits of potentially improved charging against the risks of altering a currently stable and effective system. Your inclination to maintain a cautious approach reflects a wise strategy in managing sophisticated marine electrical systems.
My Conclusion:
While Chat didn’t give me any direct, conclusive answers, somehow it moved me more firmly into the “If it ain’t broke” camp. I think I’ll leave it alone and check the cell balance in another year.
I posted this incase it helps someone else, maybe with some other issue. While Cyndi is brilliant, talking things like this over with her isn’t usually productive.
ChatGPT has been a great consultant for technical issues. My last conversation was about our troublesome outboard engine. Again, I didn’t get a direct, conclusive fix for the issue but the discussion helped me figure things out. Now, with a new carburetor, it runs better than new!
-Rich
