Hi Folks,
As mentioned in a couple of recent posts, I added a small 12v, 2-way fridge and upgraded from a single 12V battery to a dual 6V system. My amp-hour capacity went from 75 to 210. Now my 160w solar charger never gets to float mode (where it says batteries "full"). There are 4 battery indicator LED's and it's always on the 3rd one indicating about 3/4 charge. With the old battery it was almost always at "full" when the truck/camper were parked and not being used. On the FWC panel that indicates battery life and water tank level, it shows the batteries are fully charged. I have tested the batteries and they both read close to 7v each. I have driven the truck a bit, but no long drives (over an hour) that might allow the alternator to fully charge the batteries. I also realize it's only March, and we have had some rainy weather, so perhaps in peak sun in the summer the solar panel would fully charge the batteries, but it concerns me because I do a lot of fall and spring camping. So I have a few questions i hope you guys can help me with.
1. How fast should the 120v inverter charge the batteries? I have left it plugged in for over 12 hours and it still won't reach "full" on my solar charge controller display.
2. Would adding a 100W portable panel help significantly? I have the plug on the rear wall of the camper to plug into. If so, any recommended brands that would be easy to transport (folding)?
3. Is it bad for the new batteries not to get to fully charged (float) status?
thanks,
David
As mentioned in a couple of recent posts, I added a small 12v, 2-way fridge and upgraded from a single 12V battery to a dual 6V system. My amp-hour capacity went from 75 to 210. Now my 160w solar charger never gets to float mode (where it says batteries "full"). There are 4 battery indicator LED's and it's always on the 3rd one indicating about 3/4 charge. With the old battery it was almost always at "full" when the truck/camper were parked and not being used. On the FWC panel that indicates battery life and water tank level, it shows the batteries are fully charged. I have tested the batteries and they both read close to 7v each. I have driven the truck a bit, but no long drives (over an hour) that might allow the alternator to fully charge the batteries. I also realize it's only March, and we have had some rainy weather, so perhaps in peak sun in the summer the solar panel would fully charge the batteries, but it concerns me because I do a lot of fall and spring camping. So I have a few questions i hope you guys can help me with.
1. How fast should the 120v inverter charge the batteries? I have left it plugged in for over 12 hours and it still won't reach "full" on my solar charge controller display.
2. Would adding a 100W portable panel help significantly? I have the plug on the rear wall of the camper to plug into. If so, any recommended brands that would be easy to transport (folding)?
3. Is it bad for the new batteries not to get to fully charged (float) status?
thanks,
David