Darn clouds!

[2oldman]

Well, I'm enjoying some R&R camping, but, after 3 days of cloud cover, the solar isn't keeping up at all. My 24v system is down to 24v.

You'd think 800w of solar on 4 batteries would do it, but no. I think I'm going to have to have a backup plan of either a 6v charger, a 24v charger, or putting 2-12v chargers in series as suggested by piano.

Drat.

[2oldman]

I found 2-12v chargers and I did try hooking them up in series.

I set both at the 10a rate, but the measured voltage in series was only 22.5v. The older charger at its 10a rate would only pump out 12.7 volts. I tried using its 30a rate which upped the voltage to 13.3, but the amperage was too high and the cables got hot quickly.

I'll just use both chargers seperately at 12v for now.

[2oldman]

BFL13 wrote:
Just clamp across two adjacent 6s.

Yes, in looking at the wiring diagram again I think I can use a 12v charger.

Thanks.

smkettner wrote:
3 days on all that battery? Did you ever put the two extra GC2 in the 12v circuit?

With some MW use, making a couple pots of coffee, 5 hours/day of satellite TV and a sound system, musical instruments.. yeah.

No.

[BFL13]

I got a friend's 36v golf car batteries charged with my 12v chargers.

It had six T-105s in series. I used three Vector 12v chargers, each across a pair, and the three chargers each did 12v charging. I did not have to disconnect any of the golf car battery wiring to form the pairs. Just clamp across two adjacent 6s.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

KJINTF wrote:
Take a look at Google Earth
It is NOT wet on the east side of the state
He lives in a Desert with less than 10 inches of rain per year
Seen some years where they had less than 3 inches

Kelly says your facts will only be valid as long as no one tries to use solar power. Facts of life - tap into geothermal at the south pole, and wham the temperature will climb to climb to 40C.

"We never have tornad....................Yahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

[time2roll]

3 days on all that battery? Time to discover where the leaks are or just hunker down a bit.

I recommend a 24v charger if you are spending money. 15 or 20 amps max driven by a 1000w gen.

Did you ever put the two extra GC2 in the 12v circuit?

[RoyB]

Always got to have a PLAN B. In this case the PLAN B is called a 2KW Honda generator sitting in your truck bed to keep your batteries re-charged up...



Roy Ken

[nelson]

How about adding some wind power Wind

[MrWizard]

we could use some of those clouds and some rain , been in tne 90's all week clear sunny hot ,predicting 99* today

[KJINTF]

Take a look at Google Earth
It is NOT wet on the east side of the state
He lives in a Desert with less than 10 inches of rain per year
Seen some years where they had less than 3 inches

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Awww C'Mon.....

They Don't Call It

THE GREAT NORTHWET

For Nothing !!!!!

[KJINTF]

Please send those nasty clouds EAST across the thin strip of Idaho and on to us
We sure could use more of the clouds and rain w/o the lighting
96F or higher today and not a cloud in sight

My small 550watts of solar has nicley topped off the batteries so back in the covered shed the rig goes - saw 15 plus amps going into the bank when I took a look several hours ago

[Old___Slow]

2oldman wrote:
Well, I'm enjoying some R&R camping, but, after 3 days of cloud cover, the solar isn't keeping up at all. My 24v system is down to 24v.

You'd think 800w of solar on 4 batteries would do it, but no. I think I'm going to have to have a backup plan of either a 6v charger, a 24v charger, or putting 2-12v chargers in series as suggested by piano.

Drat.

Awww shucks,

Mex, will come play "Moonlight sonata" assuming no clouds at night.;)

[2oldman]

downtheroad wrote:
Come on oldman, you should be use to it my now. You live in Washington...:)

Yah.. but I live on the DRY side!

[downtheroad]

Come on oldman, you should be use to it my now. You live in Washington...:)