Forum Discussion

laknox's avatar
laknox
Nomad
Sep 21, 2015

Can't figure this out...

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

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  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2015
    The 15w panel is 1 of the 3 included in the HF 45w kit. Yeah, I know, but it's what I could afford and it normally gives me an extra 1-2 days' camping, which is all I really need. All I'm trying to do is to keep these topped up; maybe I should put the other 2 panels on and see what happens.

    Lyle
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2015
    TXiceman wrote:
    Do you have a volt meter to check the voltage at the connection points?

    Ken


    Yes, I have one. No, I didn't bring it with me. :M

    Lyle
  • eb145's avatar
    eb145
    Explorer II
    Sep 21, 2015
    Maybe the solar panel alligator clips are labelled backwards?
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    Sep 21, 2015
    Do you have a volt meter to check the voltage at the connection points?

    Ken
  • Hiking_Hunter's avatar
    Hiking_Hunter
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2015
    Doesn't sound like your batteries are toast, but it does sound like you have a bad panel (defective or improperly wired internally). Looks like it's loading your batteries down; I wouldn't use it.

    Do you know if it is supposed to have an internal protection diode? If it does it would usually be in the specs for the panel.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2015
    Hiking Hunter wrote:
    And the + of the RH battery is connected to the - of the LH battery, correct?

    When you disconnect the panel are you also disconnecting the controller?


    Yes, there is a x-over cable. Been running these batteries for almost 4 years. Solar is just clip-on gator clips, direct to the posts.

    Lyle
  • Hiking_Hunter's avatar
    Hiking_Hunter
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2015
    And the + of the RH battery is connected to the - of the LH battery, correct?

    When you disconnect the panel are you also disconnecting the controller?
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 21, 2015
    Hiking Hunter wrote:
    Could you have the controller connected across only one of the batteries?


    No. Red on + of LH battery and black on - of RH battery. BTDT more'n a few times. :-)

    Lyle

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