NeilandRaine wrote:

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Reading the post below about batteries confirmed I know stuff all about solar and batteries.  I had mine set up by professionals so accept it is done properly but I still have unanswered questions.

I have 2x agm gel 100ah batteries. 2x 140 watt panels, a ctek 1400 charger for when on 240. a redarc solar controller I was told is the best and must have.

ok

1. when we stop at a free camp the solar system controller http://etime.com.au/images/isc3022.pdf I have shows the batteries are charging and while the sun is shining it reads 13 to 14 sun goes down it drops to about 12 and in the morning it is about 10.  Sun comes up reading jumps up to 13. Now are these readings the amount of charge left in the battery or is it just the amount going into them. should I still rely on a reading from a multimeter to know the charge in battery. I might add the reading is the same regardless if we watch TV or spend the night in darkness reading our kobo glows. there is always a bit of water pump and lights activity but not excessive.

2. Pre putting on Solar Panels the van sat for about 18mths with no power. When I first got batteries I was told gel batteries can go flat 1000 times and they will still come back. I have been told recently that if batteries do not have current going through them for a long period they will die. What is the case

3 I will be in Broome next week and intend paying a visit to someone who should know and would like a bit of an idea before I go.

I can build things, know my way around a computer and have a survival abilities regarding motors but this has me stuffed, but from talking with others I know I am not alone.

Thanks for any advice in advance

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HI

One at  a time

[1]if the batterriesare @ 10V in the morning several situations can exist :

[a]you are drawing the batterries down to virtualy FLAT

If they are not already stuffed, they soon will be

You need to have them capacity checked for a start.

you then need to look at how much power you use to determine if even the  NEW batterries have sufficient capacity to meet that load

[c]You should have a battery "LOW VOLTAGE cut out" set to around 12V to limit damage to the batteries from OVER DISCHARGING.

[d]A fully charged battery with no load or only a light load should read 12.6<12.7V when NOT being charged

[e]to fully charge lead acid batterries, they need to be taken up to around 14.2<14.5V 

They may then be maintained at around 13.2 to 13.6V

[2]Flooded wet cell lead acid batterrie will be DEAD after   18months without being CHARGED

Gel batterries, if fully charged before storage, do have a longer shelf life but 18Months

My suggestions are :

Have the batterries fully charged to the makers specs

Then do a capacity test.

 Have your charging set up checked

Ensure that your usage does not exceed your battery capacity & recharging ability

If not fitted get a" LOW voltage cut out" fitted

That will minimiize battery damage due to over discharging

PeterQ