Bad Converter Charger

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Charging CONCORDE LIFELINE at their max rate makes their cost worthwhile. Five hours versus ten. Then stare at the several thousand dollars for the generator. Myself, I stare at the thirty two dollars for fuel each time I need to drive to the gas station. Plus time plus hassle
This isn't a set piece evaluation. You need to do your own audit. Yes, half an acre of solar panels is neat until a tropical storm brings a week of dense clouds or golf ball size hail greets glass.

Fuel adds up quickly no doubt about it but most enjoy travel.

I have the OE Onan Gen (propane) that came w/the camper.. just adjusted a voltage screw towards the top b/c I noticed it was only putting out 116v under no load & 15 min runtime. I brought it up to 124v the manual recommends. New plug & oil change. 321 hours

My primary gen. (gas) it was $800 new & 50 hours on it so far. I use it to run my A/c at times. no complaints so far.

As for solar... It allows me to stay away from shore power & gen pays for itself as a backup. Even fuel & hassles.

I consider Solar & Modern batteries to be one of our greatest inventions of all time! :C

You mentioned storms (Wind) would it pain you to know I taped all 4 solar panels down to the roof? ha ha Good thing about solar panels is they've come down in price & in the 5 years I've used solar nothing crazy has happened yet. Its weather so it has great forces anything can happen though.

Checked out Lifeline DC & Thought I'd read where they claim over 1000 Cycles @50% if that's true incredible. Put against my current AGM's that claim 700 cycles @50% DOD that cost $180 a Piece LESS according to Amazon prices I just can't see much value in them except for perhaps the "Prorated" warranty after 1st year warranty is over. Basically, I can almost buy 2 of my currents vs 1 Lifeline. Yes, my group 31 batts are "Deep Cycle" designed & weigh over 70lbs.
Lifeline says 0.5% C20 End Absorption at like 14.3v & Rolls says 3% C20 at 14.7v. Interesting. "Conditioning" from lifeline shows 14.88v @ 160F for 8 hours.. Holy Smokes! All these batteries seem solid & informational material they have is priceless for getting them to last under your specific needs.

BFL13 wrote:
Good research on that talking to Rolls. Helps clarify things.

I'm learning!..Ha

BFL13 wrote:
Another point on deep cycling AGMs is what member LY has reported with his. He finds it gets "tired" after some shallow cycles, and a good deep cycle smartens it right up. He see this when it starts his van better--he uses his a both starting and house batt.

This is what is being told to me as "possible sulphation" or just not being fully charged during those Shallow cycles. Maybe both?

BFL13 wrote:
In my case, I don't go below 75% just to do a deep cycle. I do 50-90s while camping off grid with no solar, so I recharge starting in the Bulk stage. I leave the campground in the morning with the batts low and do the recharge to true full at home later that day.

You had me worried there for a bit but now I understand what your doing here. If what your doing is working.. carry on.

BFL13 wrote:
When off grid for a few weeks on solar, it is all shallow cycling if the sunshine holds. So now you have to create a deep cycle if it can't wait till you get home.

When were out overnight I can see about 50% SOC Under Load. I don't think we'll have much trouble. If it isn't the microwave the wife wants to bake a potato for 6 minutes it'll be the future coffee maker bringing it down. :B

BFL13 wrote:
Thanks again for getting that clarification from Rolls.

Thanks for all the help thus far!