Solar float mode: Necessary?
As a practical matter, is float mode necessary with solar charging? As an alternative, the controller would simply stop charging when the battery was full. The next day the process would repeat. ...
Forum Discussion
smkettner wrote:
BFL.... how do you determine 'full' when battery is under some random load?
Must be unattended for proper use of RV. (IMHO)
Probably need a battery monitor connected to the controller.
This is the reason I frequently bring up what a benefit it is to have a controller with a variable absorption time. Still if the mark is missed it is better to remain in float vs off.
I got that now, you meant float is better than off while there is any sun at all.
I determine "full" by comparing my AH counter with my hydrometer reading "Baseline SG" . Once in a long while for the SG part as a cross-check of the AH counter. The AH counter needs a reset every so often--do it when at full by SG reading. there is no set and forget for all summer--you have to adapt to the weather.
Last summer we discussed how my batts were losing water in the long days at Vabs, so I had to drop to Float, trying 13.2v at first, but this was too low for also running loads so I made it 13.6v.
Which was noted as being what converters do too while camping on grid--do 13.6 instead of 13.2.
EDIT- BTW, I am reverting to "lurker status." Thanks everybody for all the help with my questions on how to keep the RV working right!
