My house battery only ever shows 2 bars on the board, should it charge more when driving and not using any power ie fridge. Or does it need to be looked at??
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Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
Judy,
2 bars on what board? Your Solar Controller or Battery Monitor? With some setups the house battery is not charged via the Alternator, only charged by Solar regularor/240v and charger or a generator and charger. Have seen setups where you need a switch to change over to charge from the vehicle alternator. Have also seen vehicle setups where the 3 way Fridge is only powered from the alternator and when the ignition is turned off the 12v power to the fridge is cut off.
I suggest when you are camped in a CP or rest area and there is a technical person similar camped that you ask him or her for some assistance, and also suggest that you write down the details for future reference.
Getting it looked at by a professional is probablty the best way to go, but could be a costly learning exercise.
I also suggest that you should have a low voltage cutout on your house battery to save the battery from being flattened and shortening the batteries life. Note if all of your load goes thru a solar regulator, this unit may have the low voltage cutout ( and hopefully set at the correct ciut out voltage.)
Judy, 2 bars on what board? Your Solar Controller or Battery Monitor? With some setups the house battery is not charged via the Alternator, only charged by Solar regularor/240v and charger or a generator and charger. Have seen setups where you need a switch to change over to charge from the vehicle alternator. Have also seen vehicle setups where the 3 way Fridge is only powered from the alternator and when the ignition is turned off the 12v power to the fridge is cut off.
I suggest when you are camped in a CP or rest area and there is a technical person similar camped that you ask him or her for some assistance, and also suggest that you write down the details for future reference.
Getting it looked at by a professional is probablty the best way to go, but could be a costly learning exercise.
I also suggest that you should have a low voltage cutout on your house battery to save the battery from being flattened and shortening the batteries life. Note if all of your load goes thru a solar regulator, this unit may have the low voltage cutout ( and hopefully set at the correct ciut out voltage.)
Peter
Thanks....I don't have solar....will get it checked out locally .....
__________________
Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
do you have a switch that you need to hit to charge it..?
By all-right's when the van is getting driven the House battery should be getting a charge..
- if it not getting a charge, you have a major Issue.. You should not have to run a charger[Off 240v] to charge the battery, if you do then it's not done right..
If you can not get the house batteries up to full charge then there is a real good chance that you will shorten the life of the house Battery..
Juergen
__________________
IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
I'm full of Knowledge.. I don't profess to know EVERYTHING, but I'm constantly Learning new thing's..
do you have a switch that you need to hit to charge it..?
By all-right's when the van is getting driven the House battery should be getting a charge.. - if it not getting a charge, you have a major Issue.. You should not have to run a charger[Off 240v] to charge the battery, if you do then it's not done right..
If you can not get the house batteries up to full charge then there is a real good chance that you will shorten the life of the house Battery..
Juergen
I cannot see a switch, but will go to battery world on Sat to get it checked out....Thanks
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Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
The battery problem has been solved. I had dead cells so it has been replaced, none too easy took an 1hr or so but the wonderful guy at Battery World Hoppers Crossing (Vic), got it done. Also purchased a 10amp to 15amp box so I can charge once a week at home, when not being used.....thanks all
__________________
Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
IF it's getting a charge while you are driving that is good..
How big an area do you have on your vehicle to mount a panel..
- If you have enough space.. I would recommend that you get a 200w panel on the roof..
Mount a good solar regulator.. and no you don't need to get a super expensive one to do the job..
A Panel and a solar Regulator should cost about $250Max..
- This does not include the Mounting hardware
- This does not include the cabling
Also the Solar regulator you need to mount as close to your Batteries as you can..
- You Do NOT want to get a Panel that has a Regulator mounted on it.. they only cause issue's of Voltage drop.. etc..
Juergen
__________________
IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
I'm full of Knowledge.. I don't profess to know EVERYTHING, but I'm constantly Learning new thing's..
IF it's getting a charge while you are driving that is good..
How big an area do you have on your vehicle to mount a panel.. - If you have enough space.. I would recommend that you get a 200w panel on the roof.. Mount a good solar regulator.. and no you don't need to get a super expensive one to do the job..
A Panel and a solar Regulator should cost about $250Max.. - This does not include the Mounting hardware - This does not include the cabling
Also the Solar regulator you need to mount as close to your Batteries as you can.. - You Do NOT want to get a Panel that has a Regulator mounted on it.. they only cause issue's of Voltage drop.. etc..
Juergen
Thanks....that is the next purchase, as funds become available. My brother will get up and measure what size panel I can fit on the roof as there is already, Dometic A/C, Vents, TV Arial.
-- Edited by barina on Tuesday 15th of April 2014 05:59:53 PM
__________________
Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
I have mine booked in next week in Emerald to get a 2nd solar panel fitted Judy.
The one already there is just not enough to keep the fridge going.
The guy was happy for me to buy off Ebay and have it sent to him directly. He's a solar specialist with the mines.
I've bought a 140 watt as that is the biggest I can put in the space provided, for $170.
That will then give me 300 in total.
I have mine booked in next week in Emerald to get a 2nd solar panel fitted Judy. The one already there is just not enough to keep the fridge going. The guy was happy for me to buy off Ebay and have it sent to him directly. He's a solar specialist with the mines. I've bought a 140 watt as that is the biggest I can put in the space provided, for $170. That will then give me 300 in total.
Where is your house battery??
__________________
Judy
"There is no moment of delight in any journey like the beginning of it"
