what are your thoughts on Having caravan batteries on mains power and solar power at the same time .We have the van parked up at home here and have it conected to 240v as well as solar on the roof of the van.Just noticed a sulfer smell coming from battery compartment yesterday .Should it be one or the other to charge the batteries.JOHN.
GerryP said
12:07 PM May 11, 2016
It shouldn't matter that you have both connected simultaneously. However, if you suspect the battery is being overcharged, I would check a couple of things...
Firstly, did you check the voltage at the battery before disconnecting it? If the chargers have been on for an extended period, they should have backed off and maintained a voltage of around 13.4 - 13.6. If the voltage is higher, then there is definitely a problem.
Are the chargers multi stage with float capability? If not, then that may be the problem. Do your chargers have the capability to choose battery type? If so, make sure the settings are correct. If you don't know your battery type, choose Gel as that is the lowest voltage setting.
It's also possible that the battery is on it's last legs and the charger is trying to top up a dying battery.
Dougwe said
01:30 PM May 11, 2016
My system chooses the best current coming into the batteries and uses that. So far all works well. I am currently hooked up to 240v at my daughters in Townsville but the solar system is there as well. I still have 12v appliances that I use so the batteries are being used.
Keep Safe on the roads.
Bill B said
04:57 PM May 11, 2016
I would be visually checking the batteries to see if they have become bulged/swollen.
The sulphur/rotten egg gas smell is usually a precursor to this happening.
If so disconnect your charger.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:54 PM May 11, 2016
If lead acid ? Check water level ??
PeterD said
11:15 PM May 11, 2016
If your chargers (mains, solar or DC-DC) are all quality multi stage chargers they can all be connected permanently to your battery. When your battery is being charged from a partially discharged state the charger with the lowest absorption voltage will be the first to switch down to the float charge part of their cycle. The remaining charger(s) will finish off the charging process and then switch to float charge.
You will find that all vans come wired that way.
bill12 said
06:32 AM May 12, 2016
You really need a good battery management system and to keep an eye on it at all times. I have an mppt controlled solar system, and also, an alternator charge system when the motor is running. When available, I also charge with 240v.You just have to keep am eye on the voltage at all times. I have a big digital volt meter that I can read at all times. Don,t let it get too low.
cruisaderhilton said
01:13 PM May 12, 2016
These are a few fotos of my settup in the van ,240 v power has been turned off only using solar panels now .Foto 1 shows battery charge state ,foto 2 shows pwm charge controller ,foto 3 shows 3 stage battery charger .
Sulphur smell says to me that you are using a lead acid battery, having had a near fire involving one of those there is no way that I would ever have one in the van. Get a sealed gel battery. You will pay more but what is that compared to peace of mind??
It shouldn't matter that you have both connected simultaneously. However, if you suspect the battery is being overcharged, I would check a couple of things...
Firstly, did you check the voltage at the battery before disconnecting it? If the chargers have been on for an extended period, they should have backed off and maintained a voltage of around 13.4 - 13.6. If the voltage is higher, then there is definitely a problem.
Are the chargers multi stage with float capability? If not, then that may be the problem. Do your chargers have the capability to choose battery type? If so, make sure the settings are correct. If you don't know your battery type, choose Gel as that is the lowest voltage setting.
It's also possible that the battery is on it's last legs and the charger is trying to top up a dying battery.
Keep Safe on the roads.
The sulphur/rotten egg gas smell is usually a precursor to this happening.
If so disconnect your charger.
You will find that all vans come wired that way.
Sulphur smell says to me that you are using a lead acid battery, having had a near fire involving one of those there is no way that I would ever have one in the van. Get a sealed gel battery. You will pay more but what is that compared to peace of mind??