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BLS systems

Yahoo Message Number: 105014
Do any of you guys use a BLS (battery life saver) on your batteries? Do they work? What is the feedback on them for use on coaches like ours? I see they consume some voltage to operate, so if permanently mounted, it would appear you have to constantly be charging the batteries, or install a shut off switch when stored without power.

Greg

2006 Magna

Re: BLS systems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105019
Greg, I have used battery desulfaters for years with excellent results. They don't drain your battery as they shut off somewhere around 12.8 volts and below. That way they only run when the battery is charging. I don't know the particular device you are looking at but so can't comment on that.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: BLS systems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105023
I echo George's comments and findings

Have used desulfators / reconditioners on both chassis and leisure banks for a couple of years now - well impressed and will continue to use

Example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/battery-desulfator-and-reconditioner-restore-lead-acid-batteries-12-24-Volt-/252120721226?hash=item3ab390e74a:g:7a0AAOSwxYxUvlmU

Am sure you guys will have something similar on your side of the pond - steer clear of the 'cheap' chinese ones in plastic boxes (although I suspect these are actually manufactured in China !!)

Bought larger units (based on total amp hours) so only have one unit across each battery bank - as opposed to one on each battery - use the crocodile clips to fix to battery posts (wasn't room for more permanent mount - yet !!)

They have a low voltage cut out - also nice to be able to check each bank's voltages when in the locker

Specific gravity of individual cells seem to hold up better and are more even than before fitment

(Came across them when leisure bank (lead acid) would lose charge quickly - purchased desulphator units and with continual use, battery bank 'recovered' / survived another several months allowing us to get back to the UK before replacing) have connected to replacement batteries to work in the background

Ian S.
Exeter, UK

2005 Allure 430 # 31321

Re: BLS systems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105026
I have to ask why you don't just use this same feature that is built in to most inverter/chargers already installed in our motor homes?

Just asking.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

---In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com,  wrote :

I echo George's comments and findings

Have used desulfators / reconditioners on both chassis and leisure banks for a couple of years now - well impressed and will continue to use

Example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/battery-desulfator-and-reconditioner-restore-lead-acid-batteries-12-24-Volt-/252120721226?hash=item3ab390e74a:g:7a0AAOSwxYxUvlmU

Am sure you guys will have something similar on your side of the pond - steer clear of the 'cheap' chinese ones in plastic boxes (although I suspect these are actually manufactured in China !!)

Bought larger units (based on total amp hours) so only have one unit across each battery bank - as opposed to one on each battery - use the crocodile clips to fix to battery posts (wasn't room for more permanent mount - yet !!)

They have a low voltage cut out - also nice to be able to check each bank's voltages when in the locker

Specific gravity of individual cells seem to hold up better and are more even than before fitment

(Came across them when leisure bank (lead acid) would lose charge quickly - purchased desulphator units and with continual use, battery bank 'recovered' / survived another several months allowing us to get back to the UK before replacing) have connected to replacement batteries to work in the background

Ian S.
Exeter, UK

2005 Allure 430 # 31321

Re: BLS systems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105028
Hi Lee,I think you'll find they are one in the same. Below was copied from the Trojan Battery website:EQUALIZING (FLOODED BATTERIES ONLY)Equalizing is an overcharge performed on flooded lead acid batteries after they have been fully charged. It reverses the buildup of negative chemical effects like stratification, a condition where acid concentration is greater at the bottom of the battery than at the top. Equalizing also helps to remove sulfate crystals that might have built up on the plates. If left unchecked, this condition, called sulfation, will reduce the overall capacity of the battery. Many experts recommend that batteries be equalized periodically, ranging anywhere from once a month to once or twice per year. However, Trojan only recommends equalizing when low or wide ranging specific gravity (+/- .015) are detected after fully charging a battery. Step by Step Equalizing:1. Verify the battery(s) are flooded type. 2. Remove all loads from the batteries.3. Connect battery charger.4. Set charger for the equalizing voltage (See Table 2 in the Charging section).5. Start charging batteries.6. Batteries will begin gassing and bubbling vigorously.7. Take specific gravity readings every hour.8. Equalization is complete when specific gravity values no longer rise during the gassing stage. NOTE: Many chargers do not have an equalization setting so this procedure can't be carried out. Barney07 Inspire 52059---In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com,  wrote :Could be wrong, but inverters do 'Equalization,' not the same as  'desulphation.'Lee (leozbrowski@...)President, CCI2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153CAT C-13

Re: BLS systems

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105029
OK, I accept that, and indeed my Xantrex does Equalize . . .  But the inquiring mind needs to know. Why are they generally not mentioned in the same breath. Maybe it my own misconception. Lee (leozbrowski@...)President, CCI2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153CAT C-13

Re: BLS systems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105030
I apologize for questioning on the equalization/desulfation matter. Found this great description/definition:An equalizing charge is generally performed as a part of periodic battery maintenance. It is generally a procedure that is applied to serviceable flooded lead acid batteries and fundamentally involves overcharging the batteries. The intent of this charging procedure is to remove sulfation that formed as a result of the batteries being undercharged. Another objective is to bring all cells to an equal state of charge. A battery that does not receive a periodic equalizing charge will have cells that are increasingly out of balance. This condition of imbalance is in fact what causes one cell within a battery to become overcharged while another becomes undercharged."‹Learned something valuable today. Lee (leozbrowski@...)President, CCI2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153CAT C-13

Re: BLS systems

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105031
Lee, No apology necessary here, this is how we learn. This is the great thing about forums such as this. I can't believe what I've learned or misunderstandings cleared up from lurking around this forum the last few years. I do appreciate when others chime in to help those in need. Barney07 Inspire 52059---In Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com,  wrote :I apologize for questioning on the equalization/desulfation matter. Found this great description/definition:An equalizing charge is generally performed as a part of periodic battery maintenance.  It is generally a procedure that is applied to serviceable flooded lead acid batteries and fundamentally involves overcharging the batteries. The intent of this charging procedure is to remove sulfation that formed as a result of the batteries being undercharged. Another objective is to bring all cells to an equal state of charge. A battery that does not receive a periodic equalizing charge will have cells that are increasingly out of balance.  This condition of imbalance is in fact what causes one cell within a battery to become overcharged while another becomes undercharged."‹Learned something valuable today. Lee (leozbrowski@...)President, CCI2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153CAT C-13

Re: BLS systems

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105034
I have plenty of room in my bays. These device are not big and require little space and little wiring to install. I just set mine on top of the batteries as I would occasionally move them between house and chassis banks. They mostly lived on the house battery though.

George in BIrmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: BLS systems

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105035
Barney, the desulfation feature is not built into our installed systems. We can equalize which can help, but continuous desulfation is a deffierent strategy.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6198
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: BLS systems

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105036
They are not the same. Equalization is process of overcharging batteries to bring the cells to more nearly equal specific gravity.

Sesulfation is placing a high frequency wave into the battery for the purpose of separating the sulfation from the lead plates in order to reverse lost capacity.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: BLS systems

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105038
George, that's what I originally thought too.

Perhaps we're both correct, that is the process of equalization (bringing the cells to more nearly equal specific gravity) also causes desulfination (separating the sulfation substances from the lead plates)  to occur - a 2 for 1 event.

So two different events, but one process accomplishes both, eh?

That's what the Xantrax literature seems to claim.

Lee (leozbrowski@...) President, CCI

2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: BLS systems

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105049
It looks like there are two different processes to remove the sulfate from the plates. I like the concept of the BLS providing a radio signal which excites the sulfate crystals and breaks them down. It also does it continuously, not batch overcharging event, like that with the Xantrax charger. I'm sure they both remove sulfates, but it sounds like one is a scalpel, the other a hammer... The BLS is only $90, and I am just about to replace 2 chassis batteries that are only two years old (probably $300 each). I believe lot rot did them in, but I think the BLS will help the life of the new ones. Worth a try.