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Vintage465's avatar
Vintage465
Nomad
Feb 09, 2017

Battery Voltage Again!

So I seem to be struggling with a chronic issue....or I'm just struggling with "Modern-day-Trailer" parasitic bleed. My Trailer is equipped with a Samlex 300w/30a Solar kit. I have two 6v interstate batteries, purchased new in August 2015. I did flatten them twice and by flatten I mean zero volts. I have been provided with tons of info on how not to flatten my batteries and how to see if they are still good. I got them up to a full charge disconnected the ground, let it sit 24hrs then checked them with a hydrometer. All the cells were way up into the green and very equal.

Having done all that, I disconnected the power to the trailer that was cooling down the fridge. Lit the fridge and let it sit overnight with with nothing but parasitic lights and the fridge on. This morning my voltage is down to 12.6 volts test and that's at two locations with two meters.

Now I do understand that with nothing assisting the batteries that they certainly won't climb in voltage, but I am surprised that the little parasitic lights all over the trailer and the fridge running off gas would draw that much. Or is the fact that my batteries show good with the hydrometer not telling me everything regarding the condition of my batteries?

I really don't have a problem getting new batteries, I just don't want to spend $300.00 plus on new batteries if it's just going to have the same results.

Thanks!
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2017
    brulaz wrote:
    Load support with the solar works well when the sun's out. No beeping then.

    But I'll be dam*ed if I fire up the 6.4L Cummins just to stop the beeping when heating a litre of water. Large hammer - small nut.


    And I'll be dam*ed if I'm going to drag around more battery than I normally need just for the occasional purpose of powering my inverter, especially when the truck's electrical system is just sitting there otherwise doing nothing. To each his / her own but sometimes a large hammer does serve a purpose. :)
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2017
    Yes, maybe a switch as the beeper does have other uses.

    For example just the other day it alerted me to *high* voltages when my wife accidentally set the solar controller to equalize.

    Load support with the solar works well when the sun's out. No beeping then.

    But I'll be dam*ed if I fire up the 6.4L Cummins just to stop the beeping when heating a litre of water. Large hammer - small nut. The switch idea is good though. Will have to do that when we get back home.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:
    ... IMO only good reason for more batteries is to keep the inverter from alarming off at 11v when you make your morning toast.


    brulaz wrote:
    my 1000W PSW Cantire inverter sounds off at 11.7V
    And that happens when pulling 900W AC from my 4 GC2's for any length of time.

    And it's NOT the cables!!!

    Maybe I need a new inverter. Or AGM or GRP 31 batteries. Or ...


    BFL13 wrote:
    Take the inverter apart--lots of tiny black screws-- find the beeper and wreck it. No more annoying noises.


    Or add a switch so you have a choice. :)

    OR do what I do, powering my own Crappy Tire 1000 watt PSW inverter - load support the trailer battery with my truck (idling) those few times we may want to use the toaster or coffee maker which put the inverter under heavy load and may otherwise cause it to low voltage alarm. Not a solution for those who rely solely on battery power all the time but certainly works for me for incidental inverter use. :)
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:

    ...
    Easy. Take the inverter apart--lots of tiny black screws-- find the beeper and wreck it. No more annoying noises.
    ...


    Of course!
    Appreciate your "out-of-the-box" thinking ...
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:
    Easy. Take the inverter apart--lots of tiny black screws-- find the beeper and wreck it. No more annoying noises. I do that with microwaves. I hate beeping

    Ha, I need you over here to take care of the gas station pumps. :)
    There are a few with multiple selections that have a piercing sound. I should measure the db level with my phone. It is bad.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2017
    brulaz wrote:
    BFL13 wrote:

    ...
    IMO only good reason for more batteries is to keep the inverter from alarming off at 11v when you make your morning toast.


    my 1000W PSW Cantire inverter sounds off at 11.7V
    And that happens when pulling 900W AC from my 4 GC2's for any length of time.

    And it's NOT the cables!!!

    Maybe I need a new inverter. Or AGM or GRP 31 batteries. Or ...


    Easy. Take the inverter apart--lots of tiny black screws-- find the beeper and wreck it. No more annoying noises. I do that with microwaves. I hate beeping :( Also lets me use the MW while DW is still asleep. Also the inverter won't wake up DW and the whole campground.

    The inverter beep is just to save your batteries from going flat but you already have a voltmeter for that.
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:

    ...
    IMO only good reason for more batteries is to keep the inverter from alarming off at 11v when you make your morning toast.


    my 1000W PSW Cantire inverter sounds off at 11.7V
    And that happens when pulling 900W AC from my 4 GC2's for any length of time.

    And it's NOT the cables!!!

    Maybe I need a new inverter. Or AGM or GRP 31 batteries. Or ...
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2017
    The electric fridge is a whole different story of course. More battery makes sense.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2017
    BFL13 wrote:
    westend wrote:
    red31 wrote:
    different sg from different battery makers or different batteries will yield different voltage @ the same temp.

    x2
    I wouldn't be concerned with a voltage of 12.6 in the morning. I sometimes average 12.0 or even lower. As soon as sun hits the solar panel, the voltage is rising. In a perfect world, batteries should only be drawn down to an 80% level for most efficient use. I may increase my battery capacity so that I can get close to 80%.


    Just means lugging around extra weight of AHs you will never use (50-80) IMO only good reason for more batteries is to keep the inverter from alarming off at 11v when you make your morning toast.


    I'm using the inverter 24/7 to power a 120V fridge. I know I would sleep better with an extra 220 AH available. Weight means little to me as my batteries are inside, just forward of the axles. An extra 150 lbs (maybe a bit less) isn't going to mean much. What I plan to do is replace the small 100AH AGM bank with a larger AGM bank. All it takes is cable, a wrench, and a fuller wallet.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2017
    westend wrote:
    red31 wrote:
    different sg from different battery makers or different batteries will yield different voltage @ the same temp.

    x2
    I wouldn't be concerned with a voltage of 12.6 in the morning. I sometimes average 12.0 or even lower. As soon as sun hits the solar panel, the voltage is rising. In a perfect world, batteries should only be drawn down to an 80% level for most efficient use. I may increase my battery capacity so that I can get close to 80%.


    Just means lugging around extra weight of AHs you will never use (50-80) IMO only good reason for more batteries is to keep the inverter from alarming off at 11v when you make your morning toast.

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