Can't figure this out...

laknox wrote:
I have 2 6v golf cart batteries that I've used for going on 4 years. About 3 weeks ago, I decided to put a solar panel (15w) on to charge them up a bit. The display on the controller only shows about 7.6-7.8 volts across the 2 batteries. Both are full of water and have clean terminals. If I take the panel loose, I get 13.6-13.8 volts. Are my batteries toast?

Lyle

What was the resolution to your battery issues while checking out your solar panel?
Scott

Connect the controller to your truck batteries and see if it displays the same voltage.

Can't see your setup from here, but I suspect the controller display is just showing what the panel puts out, not the battery voltage. If so, it will act the same way on your truck batteries.

TXiceman wrote:
Can you borrow one......

Ken

Borrow one, what?

Lyle

Can you borrow one......

Ken

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

laknox wrote:
I have 2 6v golf cart batteries that I've used for going on 4 years. About 3 weeks ago, I decided to put a solar panel (15w) on to charge them up a bit. The display on the controller only shows about 7.6-7.8 volts across the 2 batteries. Both are full of water and have clean terminals. If I take the panel loose, I get 13.6-13.8 volts. Are my batteries toast?

Lyle

Maybe "Guido" - your "toaster" - isn't happy?

.

C'mon. It was a joke! Deal widdit. :-)

Lyle

MNRon wrote:
It sounds like you've used the 3panel set up on these batts when camping successfully. If that's the case I'm betting there's something about the panel making it 1of3, but not capable of 1of1 (maybe the 3 are set up in series?)

Nope. All 3 have +/- terminals and all go on the same post on the controller. I'll just have to get back out there with my meter and see what's up.

Lyle

laknox wrote:
I have 2 6v golf cart batteries that I've used for going on 4 years. About 3 weeks ago, I decided to put a solar panel (15w) on to charge them up a bit. The display on the controller only shows about 7.6-7.8 volts across the 2 batteries. Both are full of water and have clean terminals. If I take the panel loose, I get 13.6-13.8 volts. Are my batteries toast?

Lyle

Maybe "Guido" - your "toaster" - isn't happy?

.

WyoTraveler wrote:
I doubt a 15 watt solar panel is going to do much for 2 6 volt batteries.

I've 400 watts for four Trojan T-105s and although they charge the batteries from 80% to full (by our Triminic) in less than a day, I was told that wasn't enough wattage. Since we don't do a lot of real boondocking, I'm happy with what I've got. Fifteen watts won't even trickle charge two good golf cart batteries.

It sounds like you've used the 3panel set up on these batts when camping successfully. If that's the case I'm betting there's something about the panel making it 1of3, but not capable of 1of1 (maybe the 3 are set up in series?)

I think you still have a problem, though. Adding more panels won't change the way the one acts. A panel shouldn't be a load; if it's too small to do any good it still shouldn't load your batteries like that. That problem needs to be resolved first.

eb145 has a good suggestion - when you get a meter, check to see if the polarity coming out of the panel is correct. And, like TXiceman suggests, check your battery voltage with them disconnected. Go from there.