aws
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 1
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Post by aws on Sept 5, 2018 0:29:00 GMT
I installed a solar system on my van, it has been in uses three years and I'm noticing that when I turn on accessories the voltage drops more than it used to. Voltage drop with the Fantastic Fan running is from a static charge of 12.9v to 12.5v in the past it only dropped to 12.7v, running it all night along with a bright LED light left the remaining voltage in the morning at 12.2v about what it used to be. Are my batteries starting to get tired? 100w Renology roof mounted panel and wanderer controller, two 35ah SLA batteries. It has been a great system as I have the Fantastic Fan in it for summer fishing trips and a small propane furnace (meant for a VW van) to heat it in the winter. I spent up to 6 months of the year hunting and fishing out of it and am no longer tied to a RV Park saving many times the cost of the solar installation. Power box, it is also set up with a battery isolator on the truck charging system for those times in the PNW when the sun doesn't quite make an appearance for weeks. Furnace installation behind the passenger seat, white PVC is the cold air return, raised off the flood to keep dog hair and dirt out of the system holes are drilled into the bottom of the horizontal pipe.
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Post by tattoo on Sept 5, 2018 0:33:58 GMT
I would say that your batteries are getting old..... The next batteries you buy get as large and as high of an ah battery that will fit in your space....
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Post by bupkis on Sept 5, 2018 13:06:04 GMT
very nice install. your batteries are far from spent. Maybe being undercharged regularly.
I'd prefer a controller that provides some info like current and be able to watch to see if batteries are getting full on a regular basis.
Generally full is some constant voltage charge (like 14.4v for AGM/sealed, find battery maker's specs) till the current tapers to almost nill, the common default constant voltage time of 2 hrs is fairly short for ever day 50% drawn down unless you charged them with more power.
Another panel and longer charge time would be beneficial.
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