Battery temperature

[Richard n Ann]

Went in the battery locker this afternoon and the battery is hot (45+c).

It had been charging at 7.5amps on solar earlier but it had finished the main charge and was showing a trickle charge of 0.2 amps.

This may explain why the battery monitor shows the voltage at 12.9v for many hours into the evening, only really dropping to 12.6 by dawn. I'm glad I opted for the controller's temperature sensor which is fastened to the negative terminal.

I'll take note tomorrow during the main charge (I've put a digital thermometer sensor on it ?) what it gets up to.
Mind you the ambient temperature is going on 30c.

There was no smell from the battery so probably not gassing, I was just surprised how hot it got. Has anyone else noticed their battery temperature?

 

[dpsuk999]

I have lithiums and battery temperature currently 31c in Croatia.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Well it's now tomorrow and the battery is charging at 8.5 amps.
It's only slightly warm but on the left hand side (-ve side) halfway down there's a hot spot ?

 

[Lenny HB]

I would be inclined to replace it before it goes bang, sounds like one cell has a sulphatide build up.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes there's definitely some resistance change going on inside the battery, it's now 3pm and it's still charging at 7 odd amps. Usually it would have dropped off by now.
If I get close I can hear it bubbling quietly but still no smell.

The battery monitor is showing 100%

Think I'll pull the fuse on the solar for now ?

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[Lenny HB]

If I get close I can hear it bubbling quietly but still no smell.

And you have left it charging.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Only just heard it today. I've pulled the fuse now. The votronic controller 80% LED wasn't lit either. So battery goosed definitely, oh well, another week and we're heading home.

 

[tacr2man]

They can get really hot before packing in completely , A few years ago an Aborigine brought his car into my garage (Australia) long story short , he had been into road house and they sent him to me
His alternator was faulty , and was putting a very large charge into the battery , he wanted it fixed to carry on with his 150mile journey , but only had just enough money for fuel . The battery could be smelled before I opened the bonnet . It was red hot , and gassing , and was bulged out as well !! So free of charge I gave him a quick lesson in which wire to pull off alternator , and instruction to refit it when his lights got dim for about 5 minutes only . Then repeat , he was most grateful and off he went . He called in on return journey to thank me again as he got to his destination OK

 

[Richard n Ann]

I've ordered a panel mount blade fuse holder so I can isolate the solar panel from the controller In future.. I've just pulled the battery circuit fuse today ? how naughty is that?! Delishiously un PC ?
I am a rebel ?

 

[funflair]

They can get really hot before packing in completely , A few years ago an Aborigine brought his car into my garage (Australia) long story short , he had been into road house and they sent him to me
His alternator was faulty , and was putting a very large charge into the battery , he wanted it fixed to carry on with his 150mile journey , but only had just enough money for fuel . The battery could be smelled before I opened the bonnet . It was red hot , and gassing , and was bulged out as well !! So free of charge I gave him a quick lesson in which wire to pull off alternator , and instruction to refit it when his lights got dim for about 5 minutes only . Then repeat , he was most grateful and off he went . He called in on return journey to thank me again as he got to his destination OK

I bet he is still pulling the wire off the alternator 5 years later

Martin

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[Richard n Ann]

Well the battery was obviously very ill and sadly passed away during the night ?. RIP Yuasa, you served us well for 5 years.

I got up at dawn to take my usual BM2 readings and it was showing 0% and 10.7 volts ?

We have 12v now from solar and the monitor says it's charging but tonight may be very dark. Don't know what the alternator will do to it when we leave here on Wednesday.
At least we can use the engine battery for recharging headtorch and phones as the solar puts a 1a feed to it all day.

 

[Lenny HB]

I take you are away & somewhere warm & you only have one battery.
No way would I run with the alternator connected to that battery, last thing you want is an exploded battery & acid everywhere.

Either bite the bullet and buy a new battery or wire the starter battery to the hab electrics, then make sure the solar regulator is connected directly to the starter battery, at this time of year with loads of sunshine it should be fine.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If it gets bad I might disconnect the leisure battery and connect the engine battery to the leisure battery terminal so we can just use lights on the way home.
Thanks Lenny I'm just typing this when you replied ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

It is done ?
Engine battery charging at 2.5a ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

"Mission control, Apollo 13 is coming home..." beep

?

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[tonyidle]

I might disconnect the leisure battery

Please go with Lenny HB s advice. It's difficult to overstate how near to disaster that battery is .

 

[Richard n Ann]

I now have a means of isolating the solar panel ??

Got it off ebay, good quality too ?

Oh PS I fitted a new battery... All is well

 

[Stealaway]

Because I now trust your judgement - What batteries did you buy???

 

[Lenny HB]

I now have a means of isolating the solar panel ??
View attachment 318601
Got it off ebay, good quality too ?

Oh PS I fitted a new battery... All is well

60A Blimey have you got a 1000 watts of solar on the roof. ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Because I now trust your judgement - What batteries did you buy???

Exide 80ah gel battery, 170 odd quid ?
Then a nice new charger for it, another 70 ??

Money pit ?

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[Richard n Ann]

60A Blimey have you got a 1000 watts of solar on the roof. ?

No, I don't plan on it ever tripping ? ?