Costco 6V battery charge rate
Hello, I have few questions. I have searched and could not find a direct answer. First, I list what I have: I have a 135W panel on roof. Yes, I plan on expanding with 2 more panels some day....
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I never liked charging my battery at above 14.5 volts, from my Trace M1512 inverter/charger with 70 amps output. My solar system normally went to slow charge rate at something like 14.2 volts, and I was very happy with that. more than 14 volts, and the battery can get warm to the touch, indicating they can be boiling off a lot of water.
Hydrocaps can prevent so much water loss, and I normally check my battery water level every 4-6 months. HomePower.com Magazine has been advertising Hydrocaps for years.
If you can set up the charge controller to limit the voltage to around 13.8 volts, you will see much less water loss. A fully charged resting battery will sit at 12.8 volts. Equalize charge every month or two, and you can run it up to 14.5 volts or so for a couple of hours.
Check out the prices of solar panels at this place. SunElec.com and you might be able to afford them much sooner than you think. If your present panel is 21 volts open circuit, then you want others on the same controller near that same voltage, within about 1 volt.
Fred.
I never liked charging my battery at above 14.5 volts, from my Trace M1512 inverter/charger with 70 amps output. My solar system normally went to slow charge rate at something like 14.2 volts, and I was very happy with that. more than 14 volts, and the battery can get warm to the touch, indicating they can be boiling off a lot of water.
Hydrocaps can prevent so much water loss, and I normally check my battery water level every 4-6 months. HomePower.com Magazine has been advertising Hydrocaps for years.
If you can set up the charge controller to limit the voltage to around 13.8 volts, you will see much less water loss. A fully charged resting battery will sit at 12.8 volts. Equalize charge every month or two, and you can run it up to 14.5 volts or so for a couple of hours.
Check out the prices of solar panels at this place. SunElec.com and you might be able to afford them much sooner than you think. If your present panel is 21 volts open circuit, then you want others on the same controller near that same voltage, within about 1 volt.
Fred.
