Equalize battery

[g1g]

I have heard where some equalize their batteries. My friend who I call the battery expert that maintained batteries at a microwave site, never mentioned that to me. Since mine is really on a float charger most of the time, like those batteries were, and only really gets used once in a while is it necessary?

[markopolo]

I've never done it. Most of us won't have the type of charger needed. I think the Tripp Lite charger in my van can do it but I'd have to read the manual. The process needs 16 volts or thereabouts so maybe it's best to remove the batteries from your RV.

Equalization seems to do two things:

1. breaks up the sulphation on the plates (our desulphators do that for us)

2. mixes the electrolyte thus preventing stratification

I copied this from Xantrex:

Over time, the electrolyte tends to stratify into layers of acid and water with higher concentrations of acid near the bottom of each cell and more diluted electrolyte near the top. This causes uneven specific gravity within a cell and further reduces its capacity and efficiency.

hmmm, I wonder if driving around in our RV's helps to mix the electrolyte?