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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
I've been busy enough that the amazon option delivered to my address is easiest. Also I got an Amz prime account. Free Supersaving shipping items ship free 2 day shipping, so It is almost that instant satisfaction. I've even ordered on a Saturday and had some items arrive Monday
With the amount of lengthy traffic lights incurred, I got to figure in gas.
The batteries are really behaving well, in terms of minimum overnight voltage. I have to assume plugging in and reaching those high amps at high voltage, is much better than my solar holding those same voltages for just an hour if possible, and that I Have been chronically undercharging despite awareness of it.
Those glass ones, could I still put a little flexi hose on the end without affecting accuracy?
3 cells can not be accessed perpendicularly, without pulling out the fridge 6 inches. Even then, the furthermost one would still protest.
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landyacht318
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02/09/12 11:07pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Okay, I'll get some glass. The East Penn isn't showing free supersaver shipping on my screen. Others are.
The plastic junker I use now, I'll use to just water my batts. The Flexible tube makes a few cells on the left easier to fill, but I'll probably compare the two for grins.
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landyacht318
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02/09/12 07:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery Monitor Shunt Installation Plus Battery Disconnect
Okay, that is clear as mud :)
I have the same Shunt on my IPN pro remote and it wanted a twisted pair going to each side of the shunt. But it gets it's power through a telephone type cord which leads to the solar charge controller.
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landyacht318
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02/07/12 06:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Thanks for the link. http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/medium/ss/temphydro.jpg width=200
I did not see that one in O reilly's yesterday.
My local Ace, which I didn't think to check, usually does not carry what I seek.
http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE3-997934dt.jpg width=200
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landyacht318
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02/07/12 05:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Yeah, I remember Mexbungalows saying the only ones worthwhile were Francis freas.
The one I boughtat Napa was advertised at 3.50$ and rang up as 6.50. I pointed this out but the store just said it was a mistake. I checked 3 other AP stores and they just had the floating ball ones, so I passed.
While the SG readings might not be accurate to true, they should be accurate when comparing cells to each other? No?
I do notice that 2 of the cells with the highest readings are closest to where the charge/ load cables connect to the batteries.
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landyacht318
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02/07/12 04:58pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery Monitor Shunt Installation Plus Battery Disconnect
Yeah, I'd run the disconnect on the (+), and if you have solar, connect the controller right to the Battery + bypassing the cut off switch.
One question about your shunt. Why does the terminal on the left have one twisted pair sense wire, yet the other has only a single sense wire?
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landyacht318
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02/07/12 04:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Okay, the results!!
Battery case temperature: 63 F
Ambient temp was 64.5 degrees F at around noon.
Battery voltage at time of test 14.3.
Solar was contributing 0.3 amps into the fully charged bank at the time.
Ran charger all night on float after it spent a few hours at 15.3 volts accepting 11 amps which tapered down to 6 before it reverted to float.
On Battery 2, cell 3 electrolyte level was lower than all the other cells. I topped it off after the test was complete.
On battery 1, cells 1,2 and 3 were slightly overfilled. All other cells were right about where they should be. I had not added any distilled water at this point.
There were no signs of water being pushed out of any cell, at least on the battery surface, but the caps do show signs of darker matter accumulating. The caps on my previous Crown Batteries were black on the inside.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/Crowncellcap.jpg width=640
These are Crown Deep Cycle Batteries group 27, 115 a/h each, despite having the Crown stickers removed and replaced in front of me. I've owned them about 2 weeks, and they were about a month old when I got them.
Here is the tester I used. I took 2 to three readings on each cell keeping the electrolyte level inside the same and the angle it was held the same. My results should be within 5% of accurate, cell to cell, as some estimating of SG had to be done since calibrations are not numerous enough for my tastes.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/hydrometer.jpg width=400
Okay here are the batteries as tested with demarcations relevant to the following results:
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/Crowngroup27parallelpairdeepcycle.jpg width=640
Battery 1:
______________
Cell 1: 1.280
Cell 2: 1.290
Cell 3: 1.275
Cell 4: 1.280
Cell 5: 1.275
Cell 6: 1.305
______________
Battery 2:
Cell 1: 1.300
Cell 2: 1.285
Cell 3: 1.280
Cell 4: 1.300
Cell 5: 1.275
Cell 6: 1.275
I worked my way from battery 2, cell 6 to battery 1, cell 1.
I wish it were easier for me to do these tests, but it basically takes me an hour to remove things in my cabinet, crawl inside, unscrew the hatch and remove and pry off the caps without gouging the plastic.
What do you think of the variance? I triple checked 3 the cells which read 1.300 or above.
I thought they would all be closer. Perhaps I should have tested them right after the EQ voltages were removed.
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landyacht318
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02/07/12 03:34pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Bright headlight for 1997 dodge b2500 ram van
MauMau, I was not really directing any statement at you. You sound like someone who can certainly aim a headlight properly. No Snarky or accusatory tone was intended.
However in a vehicle like a Van or any vehicle than can handle an extra 150+ lbs in the back can make the light go from projecting in the perfect area, to up in other's eyes. I have some rear airbags and a few psi makes a huge difference in headlight angle. 0 pSI and other cars are flashing me, 15 PSI and the headlights aim where they should, anything over that and they stab the pavement way too close to my Hood. 100 PSI the headlights are a joke, hitting the ground 15 feet in front of the van
Also just wanted to imply other states have different laws regarding extra frontal lighting. I imagine Massachusetts might be Nazi like in this department.
I have dreams of mounting an aircraft landing light in my roof to blast everything in front of me. Perhap even a pair. But it would probably be a felony in California.
:)
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landyacht318
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02/06/12 11:46pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Okay I accquired a Hydrometer from Napa. Is it a or an hydrometer? It makes a lot of claims, like "temperature compensated, gives instant accurate readings for all batteries warm or cold"
I'm not sure how accurate it will be, but for purposes of cell comparison among the same 2 batteries, it should do.
Anyway I'm plugged in now and it is doing the 15.4 volts 10 to 11 amp thing again.
I've been using this charger regularly since 7/2007, with three different sets of batteries. It has never before behaved like it has now. Usually if left alone it would rapidly go over 16 volts then shut itself off when near the 90%range.
Or it would stop after 20 to 200 minutes at 14.8 then drop and hold float and act like a converter until unplugged.
I'm gonna check them in the morning after the charger reverts to float overnight and write down the SG readings per cell/battery
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landyacht318
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02/06/12 07:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Time left from battery
I'd like to see this interstate Deep cycle 12 volt flooded battery. I recently looked at their line up and the only 12 volt batteries were marine/dual purpose batteries, which of course are a compromise.
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landyacht318
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02/05/12 08:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Bright headlight for 1997 dodge b2500 ram van
Be aware that extra lighting can be reason to pull you over and give you a citation in some states/ locals.
Consider others who might be driving toward you. Many times I am blinded by other driver's low beams/ driving light combo. They don't appreciate my high beam flash, and I certainly do not appreciate learning that their lights were not on low beams already.
Proper adjustment of any headlights is Key, and moral.
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landyacht318
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02/05/12 12:48am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Thank you for the continued interest SMK.
Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way of my battery maintenance. I have not yet had the chance to crawl inside my cabinet, Unscrew the hatch, pull the cell caps, and check for loss, or the SG when I knew they were as fully charged as they could possibly be.
Hard to complain having too much work considering the lulls of the last 18 months. Who am I kidding, 3 years.
If they were pushing out large amounts of water, I could see them dripping on the asphalt, which I have not seen any indication of. I am in San Diego. Temps from mid 70's to high 40's, Just Brutal :)
Sorry, had to rub it in.
I have not yet plugged back into the grid since the other night, nor acquired a hydrometer to set a baseline regarding Max expected SG, but it is at the top of my list. Hopefully the Charger decides to to return to those scary voltages next time so I can check SG after it goes to float.
These new batteries have been surprising me with the quick rebounds to 12.6 ,even after my 6.2 amp mattress heating pad cycles off. I have not yet reduced my Solar acceptance rates from 15, to 14.5, but (sunny) today they reached 15 volts far before I expected them to considering I have too little solar for my Bank.
I will update after I find an Hydrometer locally which I can justify purchasing
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landyacht318
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02/05/12 12:27am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Adding another solar panel
I had not considered the second charge controller. My current CC has a tendency to act funny whenever there is another charging source present above 85% SOC. I'd really like to just parallel both panels through the one controller. I do wish I sprung for the sb2512iX which does have a battery temp sensor.
I've been wanting to make use of the expensive 12awg marine tinned cable I already have running through my roof, but it will not reach the new intended location for my charge controller without splicing.
8 AWG should really be enough for anything I can get on my limited roof, but I installed the 12 awg through my fiberglass roof with 3M 5200 adhesive sealant, and might not want to deal with removing that cable and the 3M 5200, just to put the 8 awg in the same place.
Not too hard to drill another hole for it and have 2 wire runs through my roof.
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landyacht318
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02/03/12 06:26pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Okay, fan just shut off. Charger stopped for a few minutes and restarted itself.
13.4 volts, 0.5 amps.
Gonna pull the fuse to let the solar reset what 100% and 0 amp hours from full is tomorrow.
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landyacht318
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02/03/12 12:58am |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Yeah, I'm gonna buy a gallon of distilled tomorrow for peace of mind, crawl inside my cabinet, and have a look.
Now 15.17 volts. 6.4 amps. Charger has green light indicating fully charged. Usually it drops down to 13.2/3 when green light comes on.
Bout to hit the sack. Debating whether to let it keep going at such high voltage
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landyacht318
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02/03/12 12:38am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Adding another solar panel
Thanks. I might just go ahead and order it next payday.
I currently have 12 awg cable from 130 watt panel to charge controller.
I am going to add 8 awg cable. Should I just leave the 12awg in place and combine the 2 panels in the Kyocera's junction box splitting the current among the 12 and the 8, or should I run the 12 awg from unisolar 64 to CC and 8 awg from KC 130tm to the CC?
Since I can only parallel 12v nominal panels with my CC, does it matter where I combine the panels, at the Junction box, or at the controller?
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landyacht318
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02/02/12 11:45pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
Okay it went up to 15.68 at 11.5 amps
Then is started fluctuating between 15.68 to 15.5. amps from 11.7 to 10.5 About once every 2 seconds.
Now it is falling
15.25 volts, 7.1 amps
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landyacht318
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02/02/12 11:09pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
My batteries are under a hatch below the floor, inside a cabinet. Not easily accessible. I got to assume they are bubbling up a storm.
15.59 volts. 11.7 amps. 0 a/H from full.
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landyacht318
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02/02/12 11:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
20 minutes later. 15.54 volts, 11.7 amps. 1 amp hour from full.
Why are the amps still climbing?
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landyacht318
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02/02/12 10:54pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New Batteries, Charger acts much differently
33 minutes later. 15.42 volts, 11.5 amps. 4 a/h from full. Getting uneasy.
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landyacht318
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02/02/12 10:36pm |
Tech Issues
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