poss battery problem

solarman216 · 01-09-2015, 22:59

Just had power failure here, grabbed torch went to battery shed, inverter saying low battery voltage, odd as the solar charger connected direct to battery shows 25.2 volts, played with it for a few mins but every time I applied load = same thing, so reason it must be a bad cell connection, so hastily hooked up new battery set (all half ton of it) and disconnected old, all is good again, so another job to do tomorrow, but it might wait till the week end as got a lot on at the mo, Rick

jims-terrano · 02-09-2015, 07:18

At least you have a set to get you back and running again. Must feel good not having a lecky bill coming in. Any chance of some pics of your setup, would love to come and say hi but sadly time and never getting down your neck of the woods put pay to that.

Hope you get it sorted.

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Must feel good not having a lecky bill coming in. Any chance of some pics of your setup, would love to come and say hi but sadly time and never getting down your neck of the woods put pay to that.

New Battery hooked up last night, has about 1000 Ah capacity of which we can use up to 800 but that would take it to its limit of discharge so we do not do that about 600 is good

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:09

Old battery, ten years old now, 800 Ah when new of which we could have 520 but rarely discharged that low, still gives around 340 ah now but we mostly only go to around 250

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:10

looks like the suspect connection

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:12

Solar panels, on a reasonably bright day they can supply all we need except for the washing machine/tumble dryer

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:18

This is how we keep an eye on what we use, state of discharge etc, the r in the display is erroneous it should read 25.9 and this is after we used 57 A hours over night

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:23

This is our primary charging motor 2 cyl Lister with a 12v alternator for the Fridge battery and the big 24v alternator for the main battery I have to keep the revs down or it will charge at too high a rate 150a I keep it at around 80a and a charge controller sorts the rest

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:26

Charge control, this knows when to do an equalizing charge as well as being a four stage charge control

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 10:29

And lastly the battery that only powers the fridge, just shows what a fridge uses,

macabethiel · 02-09-2015, 11:22

Nice looking set up you have.

Mobieus_uk · 02-09-2015, 16:26

what about the power delivery side, I'm guessing your running a invertor of some sorts

jims-terrano · 02-09-2015, 17:33

Looks like a really interesting setup, wish we had something like that. We have some panels on the roof which have brought the bills down and given us a small income.

solarman216 · 02-09-2015, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobieus_uk

what about the power delivery side, I'm guessing your running a invertor of some sorts

Yes correct a Victron inverter/charger, when it works it is good but this is the 3rd one in ten years, this one has lasted the longest albeit the charger packed up about 3 years ago, I guess maybe that it is now just an inverter some of the strain has bee relieved, anyhow I would not recommend them, I have just purchased one from Sterling Power Products as a back up cos this one cannot last forever, the fridge is a Shoreline with the Danfoss 12/24v dc compressor, we do also run a small A rated chest freezer on the 240v system which has proven not to pull much power, Rick

AlexD333 · 02-09-2015, 21:33

I've seen this set up, along with some more clever gizmos very clever set up indeed

quite jeleous actually

01-09-2015, 22:59	#1
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	poss battery problem Just had power failure here, grabbed torch went to battery shed, inverter saying low battery voltage, odd as the solar charger connected direct to battery shows 25.2 volts, played with it for a few mins but every time I applied load = same thing, so reason it must be a bad cell connection, so hastily hooked up new battery set (all half ton of it) and disconnected old, all is good again, so another job to do tomorrow, but it might wait till the week end as got a lot on at the mo, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

02-09-2015, 11:22	#11
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Off Grid Nice looking set up you have.

02-09-2015, 07:18	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	At least you have a set to get you back and running again. Must feel good not having a lecky bill coming in. Any chance of some pics of your setup, would love to come and say hi but sadly time and never getting down your neck of the woods put pay to that. Hope you get it sorted.

02-09-2015, 16:26	#12
Mobieus_uk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Tonbridge Vehicle: Terrano ii SE+2.7tdi Posts: 232	what about the power delivery side, I'm guessing your running a invertor of some sorts

02-09-2015, 17:33	#13
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Looks like a really interesting setup, wish we had something like that. We have some panels on the roof which have brought the bills down and given us a small income.

02-09-2015, 21:33	#15
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	I've seen this set up, along with some more clever gizmos very clever set up indeed quite jeleous actually