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Post Info TOPIC: New Batteries
Patto44


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I would like your considered opinions of what my problem may be.

I have just replaced the deep cycle (105ah x 2) batteries with 2 new 120 ah batteries.

2 days later #1 battery is down to 11v with the only draw being the portable fridge which uses about 2.4 a/h. #2 battery was still at 13v. I switched them around and now the new #1 is dropping power.

There is no charge going into them.  The controller is reading float charge 13.7v but no solar input.

We are connected to 240v mains as well.

I turned the charger off for a short time and then turned it back on. It showed it was charging for a few minutes.

The system is :

Altron  battery charger model CBC -1245

4 x 80w solar panels.

Powertech mp3 129 solar regulator.

Where do I start to look for the problem.

Thanks Patto



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Crossroads Cruiser 5th wheeler.
Dodge Ram 3500.

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Peter_n_Margaret


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You need to start with a multi meter and someone who knows how to use it.
You are unlikely to get a solution here with the information you have supplied.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Patto44


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I have a multi meter which I have been using for about 40 years.

What other info have I missed???



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Crossroads Cruiser 5th wheeler.
Dodge Ram 3500.

NO FIXED ADDRESS.

 

 
Cadpete


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May sound stupid, but have you connected Battery one to the charger.  If standard wiring of batt + to batt + and also batt -to batt - did you reconnect the links.  Although with the second battery only at 13v it sounds as though the charger is not in circuit or damaged.  Very hard to diagnose without labelled photos / diagrams



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Peter_n_Margaret


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Patto44 wrote:

I have a multi meter which I have been using for about 40 years.

What other info have I missed???

 You need to tell us how it is connected up and where the power is going, how much and when.

All of that can be established with the multi meter.

 

Cheers,

Peter



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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Jaahn


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Hi Just guessing but it sounds like you have not connected both batteries correctly to the system. Only one is taking the load, No1, and the other is not or is being charged seperately ??

Check the connections again. Get the brain in gear and then use the multimeter.cry

Jaahn



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Baz421


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Jaahn wrote:

Hi Just guessing but it sounds like you have not connected both batteries correctly to the system. Only one is taking the load, No1, and the other is not or is being charged seperately ??

Check the connections again. Get the brain in gear and then use the multimeter.cry

Jaahn

Yes this is a distinct possibility. 

You may have one battery taking the LOAD and one taking the CHARGE?????? IE they are in series and NOT parallel.

 



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WAssa41


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You need to connect all your + wires to the + terminal on battery 1 and all the - to the - on battery 2. By doing this you will drain and charge both batteries equally.

Wassa



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madaboutled


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A picture tells 1000 words....

Note that the Power Out Cables are coming from each battery, first battery from Positive and second battery from negitive. This will force the draw and charge to be equally distributed between both batteries (Balanced).

BalancedParallel.jpg

 



-- Edited by madaboutled on Wednesday 9th of March 2016 09:45:55 AM

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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again"
Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
oldtrack123


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Hi Patto
Switch every thing OFF & recheck the wiring & ALL connections [are clean & tight]
Even draw what you have up & post them here.
I assume you also have the mains battery charger connected & it also appears to not be functioning/
Continued use could result in some permanent damage
The only other advice at this stage is take it to a pro .



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Aus-Kiwi


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He's too embarrassed to reply .. Lol we've all made similar mistakes .,

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Whats out there
madaboutled


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Aus-Kiwi wrote:

He's too embarrassed to reply .. Lol we've all made similar mistakes .,

 Nah.... the batteries are too flat.



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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again"
Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
Phil C


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Hi Patto

If the batts are in series the charge current should be charging both equally, if there was a break or high resistance not much would happen.

Suggest you connect them in parallel as the appliances in your van will be 12VDC, OR you have one dud battery which is not accepting the charge.

Please put up a photo of the connections for us to comment on.

Cheers

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