davem
New Member
Posts: 3 
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Post by davem on Dec 8, 2016 18:41:40 GMT -8
I've got a fifth wheel that I have installed 2-- 100 Watt Rng panels . When I put my RV in storage, I am parked underneath an awning and the solar panels receive no direct sunlight. I realize that this is not ideal for solar but my question is----shouldn't I be getting enough in-direct light to keep the batteries maintained? I charged the batteries up fully and after a few days of non charging it read 12.65V. About a month after that, It read 12.4v. -----Before I installed the solar panels, the batteries would maintain a constant 12.6 to12.65 charge for a month and now they don't. The solar panels seem to actually draw some power from the batteries??-------
I might have a bad battery? or---should I keep a small 10 watt panel in the sun to maintain the battery |
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Post by rabird on Dec 9, 2016 17:14:52 GMT -8
seems it up to you to determine, disconnect the solar, does the battery still discharge? left something on? CO/propane detector or do ya disconnect? ...?
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Post by jsb2000 on Dec 11, 2016 8:35:07 GMT -8
I've got a fifth wheel that I have installed 2-- 100 Watt Rng panels You didn't mention using a controller. Hopefully you are and aren't just connected directly to the panels. If you are connected directly to the panels, then your batteries are probably discharging through them. The controller contains the blocking diodes that prevent that from occurring. When I put my RV in storage, I am parked underneath an awning and the solar panels receive no direct sunlight. I realize that this is not ideal for solar but my question is----shouldn't I be getting enough in-direct light to keep the batteries maintained? Not necessarily. A lead-acid battery, without anything connected to it, will typically self discharge between 1% to 15% per month. In order to offset this, you need to introduce a "float" charge of between 12.8 to 13.2 volts. If your indirect light in not sufficient to do this, then the batteries will discharge over time. In addition, the controller can drain a slight amount of energy from the batteries when solar input is minimal or non-existent. I might have a bad battery? or---should I keep a small 10 watt panel in the sun to maintain the battery As batteries age, their self discharge rates do tend to increase. Your battery may not be "bad" per se...just getting older. As for the small 10 watt panel, it wouldn't hurt...but it may not help as much as you expect either, depending on the size of your battery bank. |
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davem
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by davem on Dec 11, 2016 15:19:29 GMT -8
seems it up to you to determine, disconnect the solar, does the battery still discharge? left something on? CO/propane detector or do ya disconnect? ...? I have disconnected my solar, and yes, I do lose some voltage--Usually around .1v per month. With solar connected however, I lose around .2v or more even when checking them during the day. That's why I was wondering I one can actually lose more power when shaded. When connected to solar, I have a disconnect switch on the battery |
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davem
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by davem on Dec 11, 2016 15:29:45 GMT -8
I've got a fifth wheel that I have installed 2-- 100 Watt Rng panels You didn't mention using a controller. Hopefully you are and aren't just connected directly to the panels. If you are connected directly to the panels, then your batteries are probably discharging through them. The controller contains the blocking diodes that prevent that from occurring. When I put my RV in storage, I am parked underneath an awning and the solar panels receive no direct sunlight. I realize that this is not ideal for solar but my question is----shouldn't I be getting enough in-direct light to keep the batteries maintained? Not necessarily. A lead-acid battery, without anything connected to it, will typically self discharge between 1% to 15% per month. In order to offset this, you need to introduce a "float" charge of between 12.8 to 13.2 volts. If your indirect light in not sufficient to do this, then the batteries will discharge over time. In addition, the controller can drain a slight amount of energy from the batteries when solar input is minimal or non-existent. I might have a bad battery? or---should I keep a small 10 watt panel in the sun to maintain the battery As batteries age, their self discharge rates do tend to increase. Your battery may not be "bad" per se...just getting older. As for the small 10 watt panel, it wouldn't hurt...but it may not help as much as you expect either, depending on the size of your battery bank. Sorry, I should have mentioned that I am useing a RNG 30A charge controller that I got with my single 100w panel. Yes, I realize that there is some self discharge going on with my batteries but since installing my panels, It seems to be drawing more from the batteries then before? Is that possible? Batteries are less then 9 months old. You were saying that a controller might have a slight drain on the batteries---that might be my problem as I am completely shaded in storage. I am out in the open, but shaded completely. l |
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Post by spiderbob on Dec 18, 2016 12:43:15 GMT -8
You can disconnect the present panels and plug into a panel for the roof over the RV while in storage. That would be direct and best. Or you can get a remote panel that sets outside, but not as safe. Your going to discharge while plugged into the panels from your controller as well. Your making the system work with ambient light, that is a draw, just not enough charge.
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I charged the batteries up fully and after a few days of non charging it read 12.65V. About a month after that, It read 12.4v. -----Before I installed the solar panels, the batteries would maintain a constant 12.6 to12.65 charge for a month and now they don't. The solar panels seem to actually draw some power from the batteries??-------
