Keeping that battery(ies) topped up when not in use (1 Viewer)

GeriatricWanderer

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Feb 1, 2015
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This is a very popular subject with lots of input from the knowledgeable techies here.
I'm not one of that elite group but just experienced my own "over winter" experience.

I run a Toyota HiAce Devon Sunrise equipped with a 5 year old 110ah leisure battery and 2 X 89ah engine batteries of unkown age.
Towards the end of last year, with lots of guidance from the experts here, I mounted a lowly 80ah panel to my pop top. Just a cheapo regulator. The total cost was less than £100.
We've been away for 8 weeks from early January. The camper has been sitting on our south facing drive and I understand there's not been a great deal of sunshine in that time -:) Just the immobiliser running.

Just checked the leisure... 14.3v and the Battery Master (fitted prior) LED glowing red :). Engine started immediately at the first turn.

Well pleased.

Possibly encouraging to those who have to leave in open storage over winter.
 

pappajohn

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Cover the solar panel, leave an hour or two, then check battery voltage again.
The voltage (14.3) is the panel charge voltage, not the actual battery voltage which, if fully charged, should be 12.6v.
I'm not saying your battery isnt charged but that will give you a more accurate state of charge.
 
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GeriatricWanderer

GeriatricWanderer

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Cover the solar panel, leave an hour or two, then check battery voltage again.
The voltage (14.3) is the panel charge voltage, not the actual battery voltage which, if fully charged, should be 12.6v.
I'm not saying your battery isnt charged but that will give you a more accurate state of charge.

Thanks, I will be back :)

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gerry mcg

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My on my new van, my battery master light is normally green, indicating the Starter battery is less than 0.75?A below my habitation battery charge. If your light is red, then current is being drawn from your habitation batteries to recharge your engine batteries..
Are your engine batteries okay? I don't think I've seen my BM go red even when the solar panels is putting out lots in bright sun tbh, but my batteries are new.
I'll check mine again tonight when I get home (in daylight)
 
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GeriatricWanderer

GeriatricWanderer

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Feb 1, 2015
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My on my new van, my battery master light is normally green, indicating the Starter battery is less than 0.75?A below my habitation battery charge. If your light is red, then current is being drawn from your habitation batteries to recharge your engine batteries..
Are your engine batteries okay? I don't think I've seen my BM go red even when the solar panels is putting out lots in bright sun tbh, but my batteries are new.
I'll check mine again tonight when I get home (in daylight)

Yes, that's what I want it to do.
Solar tops up leisure and if leisure then reaches a level higher than engine, the overflow go to engine, so the solar is topping up both. Perfect.

I'll come back in an hour or so and give the actual leisure reading - see earlier post.
 
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GeriatricWanderer

GeriatricWanderer

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Feb 1, 2015
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Cover the solar panel, leave an hour or two, then check battery voltage again.
The voltage (14.3) is the panel charge voltage, not the actual battery voltage which, if fully charged, should be 12.6v.
I'm not saying your battery isnt charged but that will give you a more accurate state of charge.

OK - solar has been covered for 2 hours and I'm now showing 12.7 so I think I should be happy with that?

My original purpose for fitting solar was to try and extend the charge life of my leisure so as to extend the running hours of my compressor fridge so as to increase the number of possible wilding nights - if you follow that!
Maintaining the levels of all the batteries while it's parked on the drive when I'm away in the winter sun, is an unexpected bonus. :)

........ and my Battery Master is back to green where it normally is unless leisure is on charge.

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funflair

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12.7 volts is good with the panel covered and confirms the batteries are fully charged assuming they are not Gel's, if the batteries were anything less than fully charged the battery volt meter would not be showing 14.3 volts as the undercharged batteries would be sucking the power away from a 80 watt panel.

Martin
 

Camping Gaza

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May 7, 2016
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Converted a Fiat Ducato PV a while back
GW, You may find the following a useful reference for lead acid batteries:

Voltmeter reading Approx state of charge

12.7V or over 100 per cent

12.5V 75 per cent

12.4V 50 per cent

12.2V 25 per cent

12V or under Discharged

11v or under Damaged needs replacing
 
May 6, 2010
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IMG_1687.JPG

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