I'm getting ready to use the long holiday weekend to install my solar system on my travel trailer.2 X 140w panels, Bogart Engineering solar controller....I just bought two AGM Group 31 12V deep cycle batteries, but the TT has a new 12V wet cell already installed. I know if I connect all three together they will discharge each other as they are not same vintage or same type.I could put a simple battery switch in the system and manually cycle them to supply and charge.But is there an automatic device that could handle this chore automatically. Any personal experience with such a setup?Thanks

None that I have heard off. I do know that my Magnum charge controller that I use in conjunction with my solar panels wants a setting for the TYPE of battery that is installed. It gives no option to mix and match.

Go with the manual switch or let the wet cell go.I would just let the wet cell go and avoid the switch too.

You =could= separate the flooded battery.Connect a dedicated load to it. Whatever you think suitable. Culling this circuit from the fuse panel would be actual "work".Use a fully automatic battery separator, a truly "smart" relay to allow the separate battery to charge automatically when the AGM batteries are charging. Both Blue Sea Systems and Sure Power sell guaranteed reliable battery separators.I personally do like being forced to remember switches. That cramps my style. You bet I'll forget to flip it.

I forgot about the Bogart needing to know what type and capacity of battery....otherwise will not work properly and the monitor panel will give completely false readings. Thanks for reminding me."For Sale...Nearly New 12V Flooded battery!"

Looks like you've got more than you bargained for, when installed that Bogart combo :) ... My controller doesn't care what type of battery. It works fine as long as setups are correct - Abs, Float, Timer, and max charging current that triggers the transition from Abs to Float. Still, you can "charge" 2+1. It will not be perfect, but it will get to Float eventually. (It won't be the best Float voltage, as it's probably different for AGM vs wet). For real-life use, with loads, you better separate AGM from wet.

2 + 1 battery charging??? | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Almot
Explorer III
Sep 01, 2015
Looks like you've got more than you bargained for, when installed that Bogart combo :) ... My controller doesn't care what type of battery. It works fine as long as setups are correct - Abs, Float, Timer, and max charging current that triggers the transition from Abs to Float.

Still, you can "charge" 2+1. It will not be perfect, but it will get to Float eventually. (It won't be the best Float voltage, as it's probably different for AGM vs wet). For real-life use, with loads, you better separate AGM from wet.
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Sep 01, 2015
I forgot about the Bogart needing to know what type and capacity of battery....otherwise will not work properly and the monitor panel will give completely false readings. Thanks for reminding me.

"For Sale...Nearly New 12V Flooded battery!"
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 01, 2015
You =could= separate the flooded battery.

Connect a dedicated load to it. Whatever you think suitable. Culling this circuit from the fuse panel would be actual "work".

Use a fully automatic battery separator, a truly "smart" relay to allow the separate battery to charge automatically when the AGM batteries are charging. Both Blue Sea Systems and Sure Power sell guaranteed reliable battery separators.

I personally do like being forced to remember switches. That cramps my style. You bet I'll forget to flip it.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 01, 2015
Go with the manual switch or let the wet cell go.
I would just let the wet cell go and avoid the switch too.
Onespeed405
Explorer
Sep 01, 2015
None that I have heard off.

I do know that my Magnum charge controller that I use in conjunction with my solar panels wants a setting for the TYPE of battery that is installed. It gives no option to mix and match.

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2 + 1 battery charging???

15 Replies

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