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Post by tonyqj on Oct 30, 2016 18:08:06 GMT
I'm still undecided about this. I understand that ideally my solar controller should charge at 14.8, but this is not possible with the one I have. Reading up on Trojans though, the recommended float charging voltage is lower than 14.4. So, if there's enough sun (there's more than enough panels!) I should be able to charge them, even if it takes a bit longer than it should. Does this brand of logic hold good? I'm interested by the suggestion to buy cheap non sealed batteries rather than Trojans. Could do with knowing though; what would the advantage in me having crappy non sealed rather than crappy sealed? Honestly I would not go that route. For Trojans they need 14.8V to charge and a good 15.5V to equalise. OK crappy sealed batteries have a tendency to evaporate their water and you cannot replace it. crappy non sealed you can add water so you don't have a battery failure because of a loss of water. Same apply to the Trojans I wouldn't disagree with any of that Ricco apart possibly from the wording "need 14.8v...". That is their stated optimal charging voltage which is required to get the best out of them but at the end of the day they're just a lead-acid battery and I'd have thought that they will charge (albeit more slowly) at 14.4V. The best thing you could to would be to email Trojan - they're very friendly and responsive and will probably get back to you sane day.
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 18:29:46 GMT
Honestly I would not go that route. For Trojans they need 14.8V to charge and a good 15.5V to equalise. OK crappy sealed batteries have a tendency to evaporate their water and you cannot replace it. crappy non sealed you can add water so you don't have a battery failure because of a loss of water. Same apply to the Trojans I wouldn't disagree with any of that Ricco apart possibly from the wording "need 14.8v...". That is their stated optimal charging voltage which is required to get the best out of them but at the end of the day they're just a lead-acid battery and I'd have thought that they will charge (albeit more slowly) at 14.4V. The best thing you could to would be to email Trojan - they're very friendly and responsive and will probably get back to you sane day. smileypete and I both agree that the best route is to go the ordinary leisure battery route and really get the charging system sorted out. Battery monitor etc. I do not think the Trojan will last with what you have and are doing. Mind you if Tony is happy to pay if it does not last. Tony you are willing to pay if the Trojan does not last aren't you?
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 30, 2016 18:36:04 GMT
I wouldn't disagree with any of that Ricco apart possibly from the wording "need 14.8v...". That is their stated optimal charging voltage which is required to get the best out of them but at the end of the day they're just a lead-acid battery and I'd have thought that they will charge (albeit more slowly) at 14.4V. The best thing you could to would be to email Trojan - they're very friendly and responsive and will probably get back to you sane day. smileypete and I both agree that the best route is to go the ordinary leisure battery route and really get the charging system sorted out. Battery monitor etc. I do not think the Trojan will last with what you have and are doing. Mind you if Tony is happy to pay if it does not last. Tony you are willing to pay if the Trojan does not last aren't you? Why don't we wait to see what Trojan have to say, Graham?
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 30, 2016 18:38:07 GMT
Blimey I go gliding all day and WW3 breaks out. Think I'll go back to CWDF.....Oh, I can't!
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 18:38:36 GMT
smileypete and I both agree that the best route is to go the ordinary leisure battery route and really get the charging system sorted out. Battery monitor etc. I do not think the Trojan will last with what you have and are doing. Mind you if Tony is happy to pay if it does not last. Tony you are willing to pay if the Trojan does not last aren't you? Why don't we wait to see what Trojan have to say, Graham? Well if they say the same as they said to me a few months ago then it is as I posted. I can see no reason for them changing. I still don't know where Ricco is going to get 15.5 to equalise through the summer.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 30, 2016 18:43:04 GMT
Why don't we wait to see what Trojan have to say, Graham? Well if they say the same as they said to me a few months ago then it is as I posted. I can see no reason for them changing. I still don't know where Ricco is going to get 15.5 to equalise through the summer. Yes, they said much the same to me, but I was asking a different question at the time. I've already mentioned to Ricco that if he can't equalise them at 15.5V that the whole idea is a non-starter.
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 18:49:20 GMT
Well if they say the same as they said to me a few months ago then it is as I posted. I can see no reason for them changing. I still don't know where Ricco is going to get 15.5 to equalise through the summer. Yes, they said much the same to me, but I was asking a different question at the time. I've already mentioned to Ricco that if he can't equalise them at 15.5V that the whole idea is a non-starter. Well maybe you need to be sure he can equalise them and make sure they are fully charged before you say Trojan
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Post by JohnV on Oct 30, 2016 19:10:36 GMT
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Post by peterboat on Oct 30, 2016 21:07:52 GMT
As I said earlier Graham alternator controller will give you the required voltage to equalise the batteries not expensive and works winter or summer
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 21:42:10 GMT
As I said earlier Graham alternator controller will give you the required voltage to equalise the batteries not expensive and works winter or summer I am advised that the alternator is limited to 14.4V at this time. I have no information as to whether it is controlled by a regulator or an alternator controller. In terms of the future there are several things that could be done, but they involve money and decisions by the OP. At the moment I get the impression that the OP only wants to buy a battery. I could easily be wrong but that is the impression I have.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Oct 30, 2016 22:30:38 GMT
I can equalise! My Sterling charger has this option, I'd power it with my generator.
When I look for cheapo batteries they are inevitably sealed units. Can anyone suggest a cheap open one?
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 22:42:49 GMT
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Post by Clinton Cool on Oct 30, 2016 22:56:20 GMT
As it happens Graham, that's the battery I have fitted now, I also have several junked ones in my cratch. I bought them as sealed, had no idea they could be topped up. I'll investigate tomorrow.
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Post by Graham on Oct 30, 2016 22:58:52 GMT
As it happens Graham, that's the battery I have fitted now, I also have several junked ones in my cratch. I bought them as sealed, had no idea they could be topped up. I'll investigate tomorrow. Most of Alpa's batteries can be topped up. The last set I had from them lasted four years and went with the boat when I sold it, they will need replacing though. BTW see if you can't get those junked ones down to a scrap yard you will get a few quid each
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 30, 2016 23:02:16 GMT
As it happens Graham, that's the battery I have fitted now, I also have several junked ones in my cratch. I bought them as sealed, had no idea they could be topped up. I'll investigate tomorrow. If you have a hydrometer then when you've charged to 1% as you've been doing it might be informative to get a relative density reading.
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