Scout
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- Apr 4, 2009
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Autotrail batteries and extra solar panels
My new to me van has 3 leisure batteries all different and of unknown age
I tested them by charging them for 3 days with the on-board charger Sargent in the ec500, they were showing 13.7volts at the autotrail 480 control with charger off. I then unplugged the mains. I put on the inside lights and the panel showed a current draw of 4 amps, within 4 hours the battery alarm was going and the panel said 10.5 volts.
I took this to mean 1 or maybe all of the batteries was duff, as I’ve no knowledge of the age of the existing batteries and the fact that they all appear to be different makes so I’ve decided to start fresh with two new batteries of up to 130ah, which I will order later this week. (Recommendations of types welcomed)
I spoke to Sargent electrical a few times and they said if I fit extra solar, I will
A: need a separate controller feeding the leisure batteries
B: need to program the existing panel going into the Sargent ec500 to feed ONLY the hab battery? Has anybody done this? Is it correct?
They said this because if two feeds from two different solar controllers feed the same bank of batteries it can cause confusion to the controllers and end up being worse off not getting a full charge.
The other thing I could do is disconnect the existing panel from the Sargent ec500 and connect it along with any new panels into my new regulator using that to feed both banks of batteries.
My new to me van has 3 leisure batteries all different and of unknown age
I tested them by charging them for 3 days with the on-board charger Sargent in the ec500, they were showing 13.7volts at the autotrail 480 control with charger off. I then unplugged the mains. I put on the inside lights and the panel showed a current draw of 4 amps, within 4 hours the battery alarm was going and the panel said 10.5 volts.
I took this to mean 1 or maybe all of the batteries was duff, as I’ve no knowledge of the age of the existing batteries and the fact that they all appear to be different makes so I’ve decided to start fresh with two new batteries of up to 130ah, which I will order later this week. (Recommendations of types welcomed)
I spoke to Sargent electrical a few times and they said if I fit extra solar, I will
A: need a separate controller feeding the leisure batteries
B: need to program the existing panel going into the Sargent ec500 to feed ONLY the hab battery? Has anybody done this? Is it correct?
They said this because if two feeds from two different solar controllers feed the same bank of batteries it can cause confusion to the controllers and end up being worse off not getting a full charge.
The other thing I could do is disconnect the existing panel from the Sargent ec500 and connect it along with any new panels into my new regulator using that to feed both banks of batteries.