Advice on deep cycle setup?
Hello, I have a Safari van that I've converted into a camper. I replaced the starting battery with a Duracell Ultra Dual Purpose (Starting/Cycling) Battery that cost $105 (got it at batteries ...
Forum Discussion
Hi All,
OK - here's a full report.
Firstly, I accidentally dropped the battery 18" while installing. This banged up one of the top corners and the positive terminal, although everything seemed fine.
This morning, I hooked up the solar - very happy to finally be getting some more juice to my lifeline.
I drove it 10 minutes and then parked for 45 (full morning sun). I then drove 30 minutes and thought I heard some noise, but was in a hurry and brushed it off.
When I returned 2 hours later (full noon sun), I heard gurgling from the battery.
I called a wise friend and he helped me sort it out (thanks to him!). We disconnected everything and reconnected everything, and the controller voltage reset to 12 volts.
Why it set to 24 volts in the beginning is a mystery. The panels were always in parallel.
The manual says "the controller auto-detects and sets system voltage". I don't even know if there's a way to manually set it.
We also tested the voltage of everything and it all seemed fine.
Lastly, when I tried to put the vent caps back on, I noticed that the terminal connector for the negative post pushed up against the vent side plastic in such a way as to encourage it to pop. So - I adjusted, although this was concerning to me. The wires are very short/tight, so this prevents too much mobility. I need to get new wires that are perhaps 1" or so longer.
Questions in a second post.
Yours,
L
OK - here's a full report.
Firstly, I accidentally dropped the battery 18" while installing. This banged up one of the top corners and the positive terminal, although everything seemed fine.
This morning, I hooked up the solar - very happy to finally be getting some more juice to my lifeline.
I drove it 10 minutes and then parked for 45 (full morning sun). I then drove 30 minutes and thought I heard some noise, but was in a hurry and brushed it off.
When I returned 2 hours later (full noon sun), I heard gurgling from the battery.
I called a wise friend and he helped me sort it out (thanks to him!). We disconnected everything and reconnected everything, and the controller voltage reset to 12 volts.
Why it set to 24 volts in the beginning is a mystery. The panels were always in parallel.
The manual says "the controller auto-detects and sets system voltage". I don't even know if there's a way to manually set it.
We also tested the voltage of everything and it all seemed fine.
Lastly, when I tried to put the vent caps back on, I noticed that the terminal connector for the negative post pushed up against the vent side plastic in such a way as to encourage it to pop. So - I adjusted, although this was concerning to me. The wires are very short/tight, so this prevents too much mobility. I need to get new wires that are perhaps 1" or so longer.
Questions in a second post.
Yours,
L
