Looking for some advice on what might be causing new gel batteries to underperform. Am suspecting solar regulator but this is just a guess. :Blush:
Van has 3x80a exide gel batteries - new with van about 6 weeks ago. Also has 2x85w solar panels with 20a MPPT regulator.
With all the glorious sunshine (now disappeared!) we've had over the last few days, the regulator never once indicated that charging had stopped as batteries were full. From time to time the red light flickered indicating that float charging was going on, but most of the time it's steady red indicating batteries need charge. Have been off hook-up for almost a week now.
Yesterday after a good day's sunshine I went out for the evening. On return, water pump ran while having a quick shower then lights (LEDs) were on for about half an hour. Voltage reading on control panel had dropped to 12.5 after minimal use.
Not used to gel batteries but expect better performance than this! Am now wondering if the solar regulator has damaged the batteries by overcharging them? It's a Juta 20a MPPT and when I rang a supplier to ask if it was suitable for use with gel batteries he said no as it 'didn't have the correct settings'. Can anyone tell me if the regulator is likely to be the cause of the batteries not holding charge as they should? Before I have a go at the dealer who installed the system. :Angry:
Van has 3x80a exide gel batteries - new with van about 6 weeks ago. Also has 2x85w solar panels with 20a MPPT regulator.
With all the glorious sunshine (now disappeared!) we've had over the last few days, the regulator never once indicated that charging had stopped as batteries were full. From time to time the red light flickered indicating that float charging was going on, but most of the time it's steady red indicating batteries need charge. Have been off hook-up for almost a week now.
Yesterday after a good day's sunshine I went out for the evening. On return, water pump ran while having a quick shower then lights (LEDs) were on for about half an hour. Voltage reading on control panel had dropped to 12.5 after minimal use.
Not used to gel batteries but expect better performance than this! Am now wondering if the solar regulator has damaged the batteries by overcharging them? It's a Juta 20a MPPT and when I rang a supplier to ask if it was suitable for use with gel batteries he said no as it 'didn't have the correct settings'. Can anyone tell me if the regulator is likely to be the cause of the batteries not holding charge as they should? Before I have a go at the dealer who installed the system. :Angry: