Solar constantly charging

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ally
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Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #1
I have a suspiscion that our last van, an america RV, dmamaged our leisure batteries. The on board charger fluctuated the LED lights so we were warned not to use it until it was looked at.

We had a second alternator that was solely for recharging leisure batteries - 3 x varta LFD90's, so thats all we used, now I think loooking back that might not of charged them fully?

The three batteries are now in our current van with 200watt of solar and an good MPPT regulator, we have no problems with power but I have noticed the regulator/controller never stops putting a charge in. Previoulsy the same MPPT controller would of shut off when batteries were full.

Damaged batteries? Faulty Controller?


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #2
Does your MPPT controller tell you what current it is supplying? Not when van is in use and batteries under load, but when it is parked up for a couple of days.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #3
I looked at it last night (Tuesday) and it was puting in .8 amps, batteries where at 13.3. Everything is off and the van hadn' tbeen used since the weekend.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #4
ID disconnect the 3 batteries and let sit 24 hr, test the 3 and they should be reading the same (hopefully for you 12.7v or very near)
If 1 is reading a lot lower than other 2 it would explain it 👍🏻


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #5
13.3 is low if fully charged. Is anything draining them


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #6
Whack a digital multimeter in series from the controller to the batteries set on the 10a scale. It will be a true reflection on the current going in and also if there is a problem in the controller it should read a 'minus' figure if the controller is permitting a back drain. this would happen if one of the diodes went down in the rectifier within the controller.
Likewise as others have stated, fully charged batteries should read the same overnight/next morning and if one is faulty it would show low on a voltage test.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #7
12.8 at rest surly?

I know they go high in the sun, but this controller seems to peak at 13.3 IIRC.

@baguette you have the same one, what does yours switch off at?


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #8
I'll check the idea's above, I did do a quick test with two of the batteries and they seemed good, the other one is awkward to get at, so I may start there this time.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #9
Oh,, it’ll be the awkward one


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #10
Quote by Ally

12.8 at rest surly?

I know they go high in the sun, but this controller seems to peak at 13.3 IIRC.

@baguette you have the same one, what does yours switch off at?


I have the same controller as you, 2 X 100 W panels and 2 120 Amp leisure batterys. Just out at van and checked voltage on display...exactly 13 V at rest......Will check in the morn and when I get home from work tomorrow and give you readings.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #11
I have the same controller,
My one switches off at 13.3v when sun is out and batteries are charged


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 12.06.2019  ·  #12
If your controller peaks at 13.3 V it will never charge you’re batteries to %100. But I say ‘if’. It could be your batteries are fully charged so your controller is only float charging, but is capable of exceeding 14 V when called upon to do so. I would let the batteries sit, disconnected for 24 hours as recommended and see if they maintain 12.7/12.8 volts as already recommended. If they do and you are still worried about your controller, then maybe run down your batteries a bit and see if the controller tries to charge them above 14 volts. And just be sure your controller is set to match your batteries, i.e. wet, AGM etc.


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 13.06.2019  ·  #13
On this topic. Sat down tonight after a good drive. Dark. Batteries sitting at 12.6. Ohh
Everything working a ok, practically new batteries. I’d prefer 12.7. Am I splitting hairs. Has been 12.7 since I fitted them last November 🤔


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 13.06.2019  ·  #14
Quote by Ally

I looked at it last night (Tuesday) and it was puting in .8 amps, batteries where at 13.3. Everything is off and the van hadn' tbeen used since the weekend.


Isn’t 13.3v about right for float charge? Maybe a touch low depending on the battery. Yuasa L36 are 13.6 +\- 0.2v


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 13.06.2019  ·  #15
Maybe that's what it is? The last batteries Unused were Banners and it the controller stopped charging when they were full. Maybe it's the difference in the batteries?


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 22.06.2019  ·  #16
aandncaravanservices.co.uk might be worth reading


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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 23.06.2019  ·  #17
They answered me here


Ally
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Re: Solar constantly charging

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Posted: 21.09.2019  ·  #18
Reading A and N's website, linked here: https://motorhomeireland.com/?p=2687

It would seem, if I am reading it right that my controller is doing exactly what it is meant too. They have said my Varta LFD90's have a float charge at 13.2


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