Solar up and running

Any decent solar controller will absorption charge the batteries at a voltage in the mid 14 volt range (e.g. 14.4 V). The absorption charge usually takes an hour more or less. After the current drops (or after a maximum time at absorption voltage), the battery is full and it will drop to a float voltage in the mid 13 volt range. If you keep an eye on the voltmeter occasionally, you'll see it go above 14 V. If it later drops to the mid 13's, you're full. You do have to be aware that you're not using something which is drawing the battery down. But if you have enough solar power, you would probably be both powering and charging from solar anyway.