Victron energy BMV-700 Manual De Instrucciones página 14

3.3.2 About charge efficiency (CEF)
The charge efficiency of a lead acid battery is almost 100% as long as no
gas generation takes place. Gassing means that part of the charge
current is not transformed into chemical energy, which is stored in the
plates of the battery, but is used to decompose water into oxygen and
hydrogen gas (highly explosive!). The 'Amp-hours' stored in the plates
can be retrieved during the next discharge, whereas the 'Amp-hours'
used to decompose water are lost.
Gassing can easily be observed in flooded batteries. Please note that the
'oxygen only' end of charge phase of sealed (VRLA) gel and AGM
batteries also results in a reduced charge efficiency.
A charge efficiency of 95% means that 10Ah must be transferred to the
battery to get 9,5Ah actually stored in the battery. The charge efficiency of
a battery depends on battery type, age and usage.
The BMV takes this phenomenon into account with the charge efficiency
factor: see section 4.2.2, setting number 06.
3.4 Several battery state-of-charge display options
The BMV can display both the Amp-hours removed ('consumed Amp-
hours' readout, compensated for charge efficiency only) and the actual
state-of-charge in percent ('state-of-charge' readout, compensated for
charge efficiency and Peukert efficiency). Reading the state-of-charge is
the best way to monitor the battery.
The BMV also estimates how long the battery can support the present
load: the 'time-to-go' readout. This is the actual the time left until the
battery is discharged to the discharge floor. The factory setting is 50% (see
4.2.2, setting number 16).
If the load is fluctuating heavily it is best not to rely on this reading too
much since it is a momentary readout and must be used as a guideline
only. We always encourage the use of the state-of-charge readout for
accurate battery monitoring.
3.5 History data
The BMV stores events which can be used at a later date to evaluate
usage patterns and battery health.
Select the history data menu by pressing ENTER when in normal mode
(see section 4.3).
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