Achieving full charge with solar system

I understand the Wizard is almost mandatory. It was out of stock on. I asked! Should have one waiting for me when I get back from our trip up Island.

Thanks all!

240w solar should charge the battery after the trip just fine.
Could take some time. PD9160 will be way faster(better). +1 for the Wizard.

You need the Charge Wizard to make that 9160 be able to do Bulk and Float.

so, hit all of the cells with the hydrometer. Everything at 12.5 or better at 12.62v after disconnecting system at dinner time and testing the next morning.

Took two of the batts to my battery dealer and he load tested. All good. So, I believe my panic is over for that part anyway.

I think after listening to you guys is that my charger was not a large enough capacity to charge things back up after the continuous weekends out. Things started off fine back in May because the unit had been sitting all spring and the 20 amp charger could top things up because it had all spring.

Even over the May long weekend, I didn't have to run the genie even though we are running dual C-Pap machines, the panel kept things topped up.

By the end of the July long weekend, the 5th wheel had been out a number of weekends and the little charger couldn't' top things back up when sitting back at home base between junkets.

I would look at the cheesy meter that came with the Tracer Controller and it would show 100%. But drop off to 60 or 70 % if disconnected for an hour. I didn't think about it because the voltage was OK. high 12's or low 13v. BUT, that was because it was still plugged in.

I went and got a Progressive Dynamics 60 amp PD9160 yesterday. That should keep things up.

Thanks all, bottom line, I am not going to trust the cheesy meter and I should have paid more attention to the math and not listened to the guy at the battery shop that a 20amp charger would be fine for my VA.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Twist the dial and walk away.

I guess that is my issue. Can't always be right there to twist the knob.

MrWizard wrote:
$229 / 140w = $1.63 per watt

i bought my (3) 100w panels for $138 each thats $1.38 per watt

i used Amazon and got free shipping
although the shipping company somehow screwed up and sent them LATE and in two shipments
the tracking says they all went to the shipper on the same day

anyway, they arrived undamaged at a good price

Ill see your 138 and lower it delivered to 1.19 a watt

http://www.homedepot.com/p/G****-Solar-100-Watt-Polycrystalline-Solar-Panel-for-RV-s-Boats-and-12-Volt-Systems-GS-Star-100W/204211365?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cVF&gclid=CLnR6L-E_8YCFZFafgodmB8I5w&gclsrc=aw.ds#specifications

smkettner wrote:

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"Smart" anything is like allowing the government to think for you. I've got plans to place the "smart" out of circuit from 90% SOC upwards and hammer the batteries direct from the panels -time limited by utilizing a spring wound timer-

Is there a difference between spring wound and electronic timers?

Spring-wound timers last thousands of cycles. They do not have LCD screens that go berserk when a .003 cent chip fails. Don't need 4X reading glasses and a hypodermic needle to fondle the pinpoint buttons. Twist the dial and walk away.

Intermatic timers are not cheap. But they last decades and can be used for AC or DC up to 240-volts. Gotta transient voltage spike that resembles the profile of the Washington Monument? The electronic timer goes Chernobyl while the spring-wound laughs. Not for intermittent timing. One shot, and they are available up to 24-hours duration. No they are not pinpoint precise and neither is a battery undergoing a charge.

One 15-minute timer has lasted 10-years and maybe 3,000 cycles powering a 2,200 watt 120vac instant hot water shower element heatings. That says something.

$229 / 140w = $1.63 per watt

i bought my (3) 100w panels for $138 each thats $1.38 per watt

i used Amazon and got free shipping
although the shipping company somehow screwed up and sent them LATE and in two shipments
the tracking says they all went to the shipper on the same day

anyway, they arrived undamaged at a good price

Wet Coast wrote:
Are you charging at 14.8 volts?
I assume so, default output of the charger
How many hours in absorption?
Can’t tell, no display.
If you get down to 2 or 3 amps they are as full as they are going to get.
I have used the Xantrex and a cheesey Canadian Tire automatic charger, both showing “full”.
The MPPT external meter shows up to 90% and then falls back to 60 – 70% within an hour of disconnecting the charger.
I also have a 500amp shunt and digital meter, shows same voltages.
Are you verifying 100% with a quality hydrometer?
Going to get a hydrometer after work!

Pick up a voltmeter to go with the hydrometer. Too many %%% numbers, not enough voltage readings.

OOPS