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Post by Clinton Cool on Nov 7, 2016 16:33:44 GMT
I know my leisure battery is on the way out, a replacement has been ordered. A strange thing has started happening in the past couple of days, I'd like to understand it before I fit my expensive replacement Trojan.
Previously, whether I charged the battery via the engine or with genny and battery charger volts would start reasonably low, maybe 13.6 or so then slowly rise as the amps into the battery fall, ending up as 14.4 volts when amps are below 1 (110ah battery). All good so far?
With my genny and battery charger this is still happening, I charged yesterday this way. Just now though, with my voltmeter showing 12.1, I fired up the engine. Within 2 minutes volts were at 14.2, the solar controller 'blinked' to suggest the battery was approaching fully charged. I don't think there's a fault with the alternator; my clamp meter showed 6 amps into the batteries. Also I tried switching the fridge on, the tone of the engine changed and volts dropped to 13.8.
As I say I know the battery is knackered but I'd really like to know what's going on here, why voltage is varying so much with 2 different charging systems.
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Post by loafer on Nov 7, 2016 16:38:07 GMT
That's a good one! I'm going to sit this one out and watch!
I would say though, that your solar controller is showing 'full' because it is seeing your raised charging voltage. Ignore the state-of charge reading on your solar controller for the rest of your life!
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 7, 2016 16:48:32 GMT
Perhaps it depends on the max current of the charger vs the engine alternator? The engine alternator might be much bigger and thus get the battery charged more quickly. Bear in mind that if the battery is truly knackered the effect is that its capacity is very small and thus can go from flat to well charged in a very short time.
If the voltage is up at 14.2 with 6A then the charging system is working, but the battery doesn't want to take much current.
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Post by cuthound on Nov 7, 2016 17:07:42 GMT
^^^^
This. Your battery is knackered and has a much reduced capacity, and once in decline, loses capacity ever more quickly.
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 7, 2016 17:15:43 GMT
^^^ As per the above two posts. Your batteries are just about completely shot. I have a battery in my workshop that's 100% charged and I can discharge it in 5 minutes with a small load.
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Post by loafer on Nov 7, 2016 19:07:10 GMT
^^^ As per the above two posts. Your batteries are just about completely shot. I have a battery in my workshop that's 100% charged and I can discharge it in 5 minutes with a small load. What do you use that for then, Tony? |
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 7, 2016 19:20:24 GMT
^^^ As per the above two posts. Your batteries are just about completely shot. I have a battery in my workshop that's 100% charged and I can discharge it in 5 minutes with a small load. What do you use that for then, Tony? 55W headlight. Just around a 5A load which will deplete this knackered 100Ah battery in just over 5 mins. |
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Post by loafer on Nov 7, 2016 19:22:58 GMT
What do you use that for then, Tony? 55W headlight. Just around a 5A load which will deplete this knackered 100Ah battery in just over 5 mins. Is this simply because you can't throw anything away? I'm curious! |
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 7, 2016 19:25:45 GMT
55W headlight. Just around a 5A load which will deplete this knackered 100Ah battery in just over 5 mins. Is this simply because you can't throw anything away? I'm curious! It's because I was playing with a range of battery chargers for Machine Mart and it's good to have a battery that will quickly go through the cycle of flat to fully charged in a handful of minutes. Eventually it'll die completely and then I'll avail myself of the council waste facility  |
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Post by peterboat on Nov 7, 2016 19:32:47 GMT
As above battery completely knackered.
I have 3 ways to charge If the engine and wispergen are running together the wispergen control panel says paired charging and ramps down to 30 amps [engine 160 amp alternator wispergen 72 amps max] if I leave both running it will show 14.4 volts
If out cruising and the batteries are approaching full the solar charger [if sunny] takes over and the alternator light comes on, at the end it is putting nothing in and the volts will show 14.7. Unless it is doing equalisation then its 15. something volts
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Post by loafer on Nov 7, 2016 19:36:01 GMT
Is this simply because you can't throw anything away? I'm curious! It's because I was playing with a range of battery chargers for Machine Mart and it's good to have a battery that will quickly go through the cycle of flat to fully charged in a handful of minutes. Eventually it'll die completely and then I'll avail myself of the council waste facility Ah RIGHT. Respect dude. Where's me coat...! |
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Post by peterboat on Nov 7, 2016 19:37:12 GMT
Is this simply because you can't throw anything away? I'm curious! It's because I was playing with a range of battery chargers for Machine Mart and it's good to have a battery that will quickly go through the cycle of flat to fully charged in a handful of minutes. Eventually it'll die completely and then I'll avail myself of the council waste facility Weigh it in its worth dosh |
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Post by tonyqj on Nov 7, 2016 19:40:27 GMT
It's because I was playing with a range of battery chargers for Machine Mart and it's good to have a battery that will quickly go through the cycle of flat to fully charged in a handful of minutes. Eventually it'll die completely and then I'll avail myself of the council waste facility Weigh it in its worth dosh I got conned the last time I weighed in some stuff. A few hundred kilos of aluminium drive chassis, copper cable and old PCs. I got a cheque for £27! |
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Post by peterboat on Nov 7, 2016 20:12:24 GMT
Weigh it in its worth dosh I got conned the last time I weighed in some stuff. A few hundred kilos of aluminium drive chassis, copper cable and old PCs. I got a cheque for £27! Barstewards |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2016 20:22:00 GMT
Is this simply because you can't throw anything away? I'm curious! It's because I was playing with a range of battery chargers for Machine Mart and it's good to have a battery that will quickly go through the cycle of flat to fully charged in a handful of minutes. Eventually it'll die completely and then I'll avail myself of the council waste facility Don't forget to take council tax receipt with you if dumping at the council facility. |
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