Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

[Lefty]

Well it's been virtually a week since we arrived off grid here in south Dorset in the new van with the untested solar and battery.

Bit of a development last night. It all went a bit pear shaped. I figured something was up Friday night when after three days of sun the Swift control panel was showing the last level at bed time on the last green light (around 12v). After a sun free miserable day yesterday around 9pm an alarm went off on the panel and the battery appeared dead right round in the red. It had also dropped to Yellow then eventually red on the solar control box. Interestingly though the lights, water pump etc were not dim.

This morning it's showing two green lights around 12.5 but my guess is it's knackered.

Either that or it's just not up to the job. I've already emailed VanBitz in Taunton who from another thread might be a good option to get it sorted.

The plan was to let it charge today and see what happens tonight and tomorrow.

All we run is two laptops, two smart phones, sometimes a TV and sat system, water and led lights.

I reckon it's a 100 or 120w panel, controller and a boggy basic 110 ah battery. Old van had an mppt controller, 100w panel and 120 AGM battery and would be fine this time of year under similar load.

So. What to do?

Pics and more info to follow.

A multi meter will only tell you the volts available. I have a heavy discharge tester that tells the story when you put that on it. Sounds like your solar is charging but the battery is not holding its charge. Come to my campsite and I will do you a free test. Mill Meadow Campsite.

 

[trevskoda]

A multi meter will only tell you the volts available. I have a heavy discharge tester that tells the story when you put that on it. Sounds like your solar is charging but the battery is not holding its charge. Come to my campsite and I will do you a free test. Mill Meadow Campsite.

There on the way.

 

[barryd]

A multi meter will only tell you the volts available. I have a heavy discharge tester that tells the story when you put that on it. Sounds like your solar is charging but the battery is not holding its charge. Come to my campsite and I will do you a free test. Mill Meadow Campsite.

Very kind of you thanks but we are a bit beyond that now. My threads tend to go on a while.

 

[Wightman]

Please learn about wiring colours before posting.

And then you state:-
My Globecar is part of Hymer group, the main cables to leisure battery are  BROWN for +ve, black for -ve!
So that contradicts your previous post doesn't it Colin?

Maybe I confused by saying "old & new" but in my earlier days it was just red & black - and still is in the majority of vehicles. As Barry was apprehensive in carrying out the addition of another battery I was merely trying to assure him it wasn't that difficult and don't be alarmed/confused should he find he's got different coloured leads.

So it's properly best to put this subject to bed and get on with our lives to something more useful.

Best wishes ALL

 

[colinm]

And then you state:-
My Globecar is part of Hymer group, the main cables to leisure battery are  BROWN for +ve, black for -ve!
So that contradicts your previous post doesn't it Colin?

Maybe I confused by saying "old & new" but in my earlier days it was just red & black - and still is in the majority of vehicles. As Barry was apprehensive in carrying out the addition of another battery I was merely trying to assure him it wasn't that difficult and don't be alarmed/confused should he find he's got different coloured leads.

So it's properly best to put this subject to bed and get on with our lives to something more useful.

Best wishes ALL

You really need to stop digging, as you are just getting in a bigger hole.
I clearly stated their are no 'old' and 'new' colours for the cables, at no time have I contradicted myself.

 

[Wightman]

You really need to stop digging, as you are just getting in a bigger hole.
I clearly stated their are no 'old' and 'new' colours for the cables, at no time have I contradicted myself.

So why did you tell me to learn about wiring colours before posting - I know I'm probably thick in your high fluting expertise world but I just don't get where your coming from. You keep on about old and new which I mentioned above was probably a wrong phrase/ comparison to make but we are not all as perfect as you

Maybe if you had taken the trouble to post an explanation to help Barry add his battery instead of bitching on about my post and my use/terminology then the world would be a better place

Thank you

 

[colinm]

So why did you tell me to learn about wiring colours before posting -

Because you gave false information.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

What!!! false info on a forum, surely not

 

[Wightman]

Because you gave false information.

So what exactly was the false info, I've already explained that maybe I used the wrong terminology - what old and new!!??

Get over it and get a life I was trying to help Barry which is a damn site more than you have done

 

[barryd]

Now now folks. Lets not have a spat on this happy fun thread.

All help and banging of heads in frustration against the wall appreciated.

 

[exwindsurfer]

What seam to be the problem Barry ?

 

[barryd]

What seam to be the problem Barry ?

No problem really. The thread has gone from me putting in an expensive all singing and dancing lithium system to just adding a second battery to my current system with the existing solar panel and controller. Im a bit nervous of doing it myself but hopefully with the help on here ill crack it very soon.

 

[exwindsurfer]

No problem really. The thread has gone from me putting in an expensive all singing and dancing lithium system to just adding a second battery to my current system with the existing solar panel and controller. Im a bit nervous of doing it myself but hopefully with the help on here ill crack it very soon.

Where you at Barry ?

 

[barryd]

Where you at Barry ?

Up between Barnard Castle and Richmond right at the top of North Yorkshire

 

[exwindsurfer]

Well you not that far away from me if you want me to have a look at it for you.

Jeff

 

[barryd]

Well you not that far away from me if you want me to have a look at it for you.

Jeff

Thats really kind of you Jeff thanks. Where are you?

I have had another kind offer of help remotely via whatsapp and tomorrow I am going to revisit it and take a video. Will see where we are at after that.

 

[exwindsurfer]

I am up in sunderland but w e are heading for the Station Inn at Ribblehead on Sunday for a Meal and a beer then off to Skipton on Monday then Ripon Tuesday back home Wednesday so I could call in on the way down if that's OK

 

[Nabsim]

I am up in sunderland but w e are heading for the Station Inn at Ribblehead on Sunday for a Meal and a beer then off to Skipton on Monday then Ripon Tuesday back home Wednesday so I could call in on the way down if that's OK

You going as far as Rion and not calling in on Charlie???

 

[barryd]

I am up in sunderland but w e are heading for the Station Inn at Ribblehead on Sunday for a Meal and a beer then off to Skipton on Monday then Ripon Tuesday back home Wednesday so I could call in on the way down if that's OK

Yeah that might work! I've not ordered the battery yet though or the leads. Ill try and get that done in the morning after I video the set up. Might be cutting it a bit fine but what about on the way back up?

 

[exwindsurfer]

Yeah that might work! I've not ordered the battery yet though or the leads. Ill try and get that done in the morning after I video the set up. Might be cutting it a bit fine but what about on the way back up?

Yeah on the way if you want