I will be storing my caravan that has 2 batteries that are normally charged of the mains or solar panel on the van.(2 X 110 amp AGL)
I will have a cover on the van when stored and no access to power, so i purchased 20 W Solar panel and charge controller from Battery World.
I will mount the controller next to the battery with a 10 amp fuse as advised then run wires to the small 20 w panel
This unit will be only used to keep the batteries topped up as the main switch in the van will be turned off.
How and what is the best way to connect the controller to the batteries?
1/ Just connect =- to one battery and let the charge flow to the other battery?
2 / Connect to the + on battery 1 and - on battery 2?
A diagram if needed would help.
Any advise appreciated
Thank you
Rusell-5458
Vince said
08:49 PM Jun 5, 2016
RUSSELL-5458 wrote:
2 / Connect to the + on battery 1 and - on battery 2?
That's how I would do it
Run wires from controller and connect to battery with alligator clips would be ok, or if possible connect direct to poles on batteries.
Cheers
Vince
RUSSELL-5458 said
09:12 PM Jun 5, 2016
Thank you
Russell
Aus-Kiwi said
02:00 PM Jun 6, 2016
I have permanent 6amp staged on house, motor batteries switchable . First was conected to regulator wires for house batteries . All fine . Fitted after low battery on motor batteries after a week or two stay . In RV. Not good when free camping !! If you have a timer ? Cheap enough . I would have charging say ?? 2 hours a day ., while stored . Even if charger has trickle charge ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 6th of June 2016 02:06:54 PM
swamp said
05:20 PM Jun 6, 2016
hi
to all .
To give the battery the best chance u can do it 2 ways
INSTALL A BATTERY ISOLATER SO THERE ARE NO PARASITIC LOADS - everything leds displays are all off
1/ install a maintenance charger 1 amp unit 1 day/24 hrs a week
2/ install a ctek charger 5 amp unit 1 day /[24hrs] a week
swamp
Vince said
08:27 PM Jun 6, 2016
Um.... he posts no access to power.
Salty_Dog said
02:51 PM Jun 11, 2016
RUSSELL-5458 wrote:
How and what is the best way to connect the controller to the batteries?
1/ Just connect =- to one battery and let the charge flow to the other battery?
2 / Connect to the + on battery 1 and - on battery 2?
Its been proven that current will favour one Battery more than the other.
People whom are very fussy with DC installation, will actually connect the Charging cable at "mid point"
This also includes when you install 2 x xxxAh Batteries in the rear of a Vehicle, as current draw will also favour one Battery over the other on usage also.
So if you want to be fussy, measure the interconnecting cables and inject the Solar Controller output at the mid point
How you Physically achieve this, is up to you.
But that is the concept :)
Resistance, even a tiny amount does come into play.
So all things being equal, your "Option 2" should work fine
-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 02:53:12 PM
-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 02:58:27 PM
I will be storing my caravan that has 2 batteries that are normally charged of the mains or solar panel on the van.(2 X 110 amp AGL)
I will have a cover on the van when stored and no access to power, so i purchased 20 W Solar panel and charge controller from Battery World.
I will mount the controller next to the battery with a 10 amp fuse as advised then run wires to the small 20 w panel
This unit will be only used to keep the batteries topped up as the main switch in the van will be turned off.
How and what is the best way to connect the controller to the batteries?
1/ Just connect =- to one battery and let the charge flow to the other battery?
2 / Connect to the + on battery 1 and - on battery 2?
A diagram if needed would help.
Any advise appreciated
Thank you
Rusell-5458
That's how I would do it
Run wires from controller and connect to battery with alligator clips would be ok, or if possible connect direct to poles on batteries.
Cheers
Vince
Thank you
Russell
I have permanent 6amp staged on house, motor batteries switchable . First was conected to regulator wires for house batteries . All fine . Fitted after low battery on motor batteries after a week or two stay . In RV. Not good when free camping !! If you have a timer ? Cheap enough . I would have charging say ?? 2 hours a day ., while stored . Even if charger has trickle charge ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 6th of June 2016 02:06:54 PM
to all .
To give the battery the best chance u can do it 2 ways
INSTALL A BATTERY ISOLATER SO THERE ARE NO PARASITIC LOADS - everything leds displays are all off
1/ install a maintenance charger 1 amp unit 1 day/24 hrs a week
2/ install a ctek charger 5 amp unit 1 day /[24hrs] a week
swamp
-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 02:53:12 PM
-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 02:58:27 PM