batteries

Grumpy Old Man · Member

batteries

brian · Guru

Provided the panels will be getting sunshine, then just leave it like that.
If the batteries are flooded type, you would be wise to disable the equalization mode (if it has one) on the controller, or alternatively, switch to a VRLA charge regime, this will reduce the watering demand.

Big Gorilla · Guru

I agree with Brian. Turn off all the 12 volt electrical and the solar panels, and PV Controller will do the rest.... If the batteries are not sealed, check the water level periodically.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I was told to disconnect the negative terminal connection. I think Brian and BG will have more knowledge than I, but it will be interesting to see if there are any other ideas pop up here.

brian · Guru

Doug, the problem with disconnecting the battery is that all batteries self discharge while they are left standing. Depending on the standing time, only a couple of months for floodeds to 12 months or so for vrla types, the battery can self discharge to a point where sulphation is significant, and full rehabilitation becomes impossible. By leaving the solar connected, any self discharge or even small external discharges are soon replaced, thus keeping the batteries at float where sulphation cannot occur.

GaryKelly · Guru

My auto elec fitted an AGM house battery. He recommended leaving it connected to the solar charger but to disconnect the leads (inverter) attached to the power outlets inside the camper when not in use as they draw power.

-- Edited by GaryKelly on Friday 29th of November 2013 10:37:00 AM

Big Gorilla · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
My auto elec fitted an AGM house battery. He recommended leaving it connected to the solar charger but to disconnect the leads (inverter) attached to the power outlets inside the camper when not in use as they draw power.

-- Edited by GaryKelly on Friday 29th of November 2013 10:37:00 AM

Basically the same information I gave Gary. I said turn off all the 12 volt electrical. A proper 12 volt installation will have an isolation switch, like a Main Switch in your house. If you turn off that switch, there should be no leakage from the battery. As Brian stated, there will be some self discharge from the battery, but with the isolation switch turned off and solar panels providing charge, problem solved...In the unlikely event there is no isolation switch, ensure all 12 volt items are turned off. i.e. lights, inverters, ref. TV, CD player etc..

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We have left the OKA in the shed for long periods with the solar taking care of them.
The shed has a couple of clear panels in the roof to allow a bit of sun through.
No problems at all.

For extended periods I do re-programme the solar controller to more conservative charge voltages and I also hook the crank battery into the system and the crank battery of the car. The solar looks after the lot.

With AGMs it is OK to leave them disconnected for at least 6 months as their self discharge rate is lower than wet cells which need more regular attention to avoid damage.

Cheers,
Peter

Vanderee · Senior Member

It gets a bit confusing with storing AGM batteries. The battery supplier told me to disconnect the solar
charger and to use a 240 volt constant trickle charger about 1500 ma, best way to maintain them.
I have two in line HD DC AGM 80 series house batteries, I was told to disconnect all + cables and use
two trickle chargers seperatly.????? I was told two in line AGM's develop problems during charging.
I am no expert on batteries, appreciate your advice. I had an AGM blow up a month ago and trying to avoid
another explosion.,and....... getting a bit sus around batteries.

-- Edited by Vanderee on Friday 6th of December 2013 10:13:01 AM

Vanderee · Senior Member

It gets a bit confusing with storing AGM batteries. The battery supplier told me to disconnect the solar
charger and to use a 240 volt constant trickle charger about 1500 ma, best way to maintain them.
I have two in line HD DC AGM 80 series house batteries, I was told to disconnect all the cables and use
two trickle chargers seperatly.????? I was told two in line AGM's develop problems during charging.
I am no expert on batteries, appreciate your advice. I had an AGM blow up a month ago and trying to avoid
another explosion.,and....... getting a bit sus around batteries.

brian · Guru

Vanderee wrote:
. The battery supplier told me to disconnect the solar
charger and to use a 240 volt constant trickle charger about 1500 ma, best way to maintain them.
I have two in line HD DC AGM 80 series house batteries, I was told to disconnect all + cables and use
two trickle chargers seperatly.????? I was told two in line AGM's develop problems during charging.
I am no expert on batteries, appreciate your advice. I had an AGM blow up a month ago and trying to avoid
another explosion.,and....... getting a bit sus around batteries.

-- Edited by Vanderee on Friday 6th of December 2013 10:13:01 AM

1500ma is just 1.5 amps which is OK if the batteries are already at float, but it won't bring them back to full charge any time soon.

Leave all connections as they are, turn off the loads and, provided you are getting adequate sun every few days, just leave the solar to do its job.

Why charge them separately when the van is stored, do you do it that way when you are using it?

The phrase "2 in line AGMs" would tend to indicate a series configuration, which you don't have, but again why the difference when the van is parked?

The only reason an AGM will "blow up" is by overcharging it. Either the wrong charge settings on the controller/charger (ie, set to flooded/vented ) or a faulty controller/charger.

Baz421 · Guru

brian wrote:
Vanderee wrote:
. The battery supplier told me to disconnect the solar
charger and to use a 240 volt constant trickle charger about 1500 ma, best way to maintain them.
I have two in line HD DC AGM 80 series house batteries, I was told to disconnect all + cables and use
two trickle chargers seperatly.????? I was told two in line AGM's develop problems during charging.
I am no expert on batteries, appreciate your advice. I had an AGM blow up a month ago and trying to avoid
another explosion.,and....... getting a bit sus around batteries.

-- Edited by Vanderee on Friday 6th of December 2013 10:13:01 AM
1500ma is just 1.5 amps which is OK if the batteries are already at float, but it won't bring them back to full charge any time soon.
Leave all connections as they are, turn off the loads and, provided you are getting adequate sun every few days, just leave the solar to do its job.
Why charge them separately when the van is stored, do you do it that way when you are using it?
The phrase "2 in line AGMs" would tend to indicate a series configuration, which you don't have, but again why the difference when the van is parked?
The only reason an AGM will "blow up" is by overcharging it. Either the wrong charge settings on the controller/charger (ie, set to flooded/vented ) or a faulty controller/charger.

Agree with Brian, we practice this when van laid up.

Vanderee · Senior Member

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

PeterD · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
GaryKelly wrote:
My auto elec fitted an AGM house battery. He recommended leaving it connected to the solar charger but to disconnect the leads (inverter) attached to the power outlets inside the camper when not in use as they draw power.

-- Edited by GaryKelly on Friday 29th of November 2013 10:37:00 AM
Basically the same information I gave Gary. I said turn off all the 12 volt electrical.

What you actually said was "Turn off all the 12 volt electrical and the solar panels, and PV Controller will do the rest"

I was wondering why you would want to "Turn off all the 12 volt electrical and the solar panels," If you do that then the controller will have no power to do the rest.

03_troopy · Guru

Maybe it was just in the punctuation?

"I agree with Brian. Turn off all the 12 volt electrical and the solar panels, and PV Controller will do the rest.... If the batteries are not sealed, check the water level periodically."

Or

"I agree with Brian. Turn off all the 12 volt electrical, and the solar panels and PV Controller will do the rest.... If the batteries are not sealed, check the water level periodically."

-- Edited by 03_troopy on Saturday 7th of December 2013 06:40:32 PM