storage tips for keeping batteries in good shape ????

full_mosey,

From Magnum observations since 2004 it appears that the Magnum suspends charging for a very short time to to check the battery status and is not related to time. ie It determines to some level how to charge the battery.

I haven't found the algorithms used but observing the charger based on various battery conditions it for me appears to be an excellent charger. I have the Magnum charger voltage and amps and ditto with a battery monitor that have helped me to reach that conclusion.

My MS controller has similar setup as you described. Setting and extending solar timers based on a guess or past history is to me a more marginal method of charging vs determining the battery status so as to not over charge or under charge based on some timer.

In addition Magnum has a optional battery monitor which gives it the actual battery amps and voltage. I don't have this option. Both my MS controller and Magnum have a battery temperature probe.

I just ordered two new house batteries. Will pick them up tomorrow and install them. Also going to get me a battery tender to use on them. Thanks for all of the input, lesson well learned. My batteries are 6 yrs old, normally that's old for an auto battery but not sure if that is good or bad for a house battery. Can someone tell me what the avg life span is on a 6volt 235Ah battery ?

I purchased two BatteryMinders - one for the engine batteries and one for the house batteries. I keep them connected to the batteries when we are at home.

As stated, you do not add acid to batteries - you only add distilled water. The easy way to do that is install a battery watering system. You pump water in one house and it tops off all the batteries. You should do this before each trip.

X2 but one hour a day seems to work for me.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
I will "go against the grain" !

Any lead acid battery really does not like to be on a charger/maintainer 24/7 weeks on end. The simple solution is to plug your charger/maintainer into an old fashion, cheap, mechanic lamp timer and only let it run 2 - 4 hours per day.

If the battery is not fully charged before you are storing it, put it on a good charger for 24 hours BEFORE connecting it to your maintainer.

Hi John,

My Magnum appears to use voltage to switch from mode to mode, or at least from bulk to absorb.

full_mosey wrote:
Well, I believe that is not unique to Magnum. When your Magnum is regulating Voltage, it will increase/decrease Amps to maintain the set Voltage.

HTH;
John

I will "go against the grain" !

Any lead acid battery really does not like to be on a charger/maintainer 24/7 weeks on end. The simple solution is to plug your charger/maintainer into an old fashion, cheap, mechanic lamp timer and only let it run 2 - 4 hours per day.

If the battery is not fully charged before you are storing it, put it on a good charger for 24 hours BEFORE connecting it to your maintainer.

CA Traveler wrote:

Maybe I should check the manual after several years...

One aspect of the Magnum I like is that it detects battery charge vs house loads and changes amps but not voltage with house loads. Likely very hard for a solar controller to do this since the panel power is constantly changing.

Well, I believe that is not unique to Magnum. When your Magnum is regulating Voltage, it will increase/decrease Amps to maintain the set Voltage. It doesn't matter if it is the charge or float voltage. Timers are used to switch between charge, float, and standby. I believe this is how most decent chargers work. Does the Magnum adjust the times due to variances in draws?

I use the programming feature of my solar controller to automatically adjust these timings longer/shorter as needed. Each morning when the controller starts up, the overnight low Voltage is read and the length of time is set for charge(Absorption). If the Voltage is low enough then float is cancelled that day. This helps ensure that the charge cycle will catch up even if it takes more days.

I keep the solar connected year round.

P.S. Nice Alaska trip report. My bucket list includes spending the night inside the Arctic Circle on June 21st.

HTH;
John

full_mosey wrote:
CA Traveller;

Perhaps you are not using your Morningstar solar controller to its full capability.

I can assure you that I have programmed my SSMPPT15l to be smarter than your Magnum.

HTH;
John

Maybe I should check the manual after several years...

One aspect of the Magnum I like is that it detects battery charge vs house loads and changes amps but not voltage with house loads. Likely very hard for a solar controller to do this since the panel power is constantly changing.

pianotuna wrote:
CA Traveller,

My solar controller is far more useful than the Magnum. For one reason. You don't have to plug it in.

X2 But they don't work without sun.

CA Traveller;

Perhaps you are not using your Morningstar solar controller to its full capability.

I can assure you that I have programmed my SSMPPT15l to be smarter than your Magnum.

HTH;
John