Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

[Pudsey Bear]

Yeah like I'm going looking for his twaddle, you stick with me.

 

[Wightman]

Ill go out and measure again tomorrow and then get it all ordered. Ill then have to go and read the entire thread again to find out how to fit it all.

Not all Barry, when you get the new battery securely fitted alongside your existing battery remove your negative lead from original battery and fit onto the negative post of your new battery. Leave the positive connection where it is on the old battery. All you need do now is connect your new leads negative (black or may be blue) old battery to negative of new battery and do the same with positive old battery to positive new battery ( lead will be red or brown in colour) they will most likely be the old red and black colours I've just stated could be brown and blue as that's now the new positive and negative modern wiring colours Make sure you have switched everything off and don't worry if you get a little spark when connecting your last connection, it just means something is "drawing" current. Just ensure you don't short negative and positive posts and cables can't "float" about or are trapped. It's a very simples job if you are careful doing it. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[trevskoda]

My next time round im going for lead carbon, saves altering my sys again.

 

[colinm]

Not all Barry, when you get the new battery securely fitted alongside your existing battery remove your negative lead from original battery and fit onto the negative post of your new battery. Leave the positive connection where it is on the old battery. All you need do now is connect your new leads negative (black or may be blue) old battery to negative of new battery and do the same with positive old battery to positive new battery ( lead will be red or brown in colour) they will most likely be the old red and black colours I've just stated could be brown and blue as that's now the new positive and negative modern wiring colours Make sure you have switched everything off and don't worry if you get a little spark when connecting your last connection, it just means something is "drawing" current. Just ensure you don't short negative and positive posts and cables can't "float" about or are trapped. It's a very simples job if you are careful doing it. Good luck and best wishes.

Please learn about wiring colours before posting.

 

[Wightman]

Please learn about wiring colours before posting.

If that's directed at me could you explain further please? Thanks

 

[colinm]

If that's directed at me could you explain further please? Thanks

For positive and negative there is no 'old' colours of red/black, and 'new' colours of Brown/blue,

 

[Wightman]

For positive and negative there is no 'old' colours of red/black, and 'new' colours of Brown/blue,

Thanks for that information but if you read my post properly I clearly stated they would be red and black but I have brown and blue cables also connected to/from the batteries. You just can't help some people so end of from me

 

[trevskoda]

For positive and negative there is no 'old' colours of red/black, and 'new' colours of Brown/blue,

Thats for mains household, cars/vans are still red pos and black neg, here is the correct way to connect.

 

[Wightman]

Thats for mains household, cars/vans are still red pos and black neg, here is the correct way to connect.View attachment 140972

Which is exactly what I informed Barry to do. Thanks Trev

 

[Martin P]

This is how I charge my mobile phone

 

[Wightman]

This is how I charge my mobile phone

OK Martin I'm very impressed but don't think I would have the payload to fit

 

[colinm]

Thanks for that information but if you read my post properly I clearly stated they would be red and black but I have brown and blue cables also connected to/from the batteries. You just can't help some people so end of from me

You quite clearly stated

they will most likely be the old red and black colours I've just stated could be brown and blue as that's now the new positive and negative modern wiring colours

This is not correct, there is no 'old' vs 'new' colours for positive and negative.

 

[Martin P]

OK Martin I'm very impressed but don't think I would have the payload to fit

Not my work.
By a company I used to buy hulls from when I was building canal boats.
Bluewater boats. Amazing company. They build all sorts of steel vessels and now are pioneering electric propulsion..
Amazing stuff.
Thought it might be interesting

 

[Pudsey Bear]

You quite clearly stated

This is not correct, there is no 'old' vs 'new' colours for positive and negative.

I think some Hymers did use blue and brown in their 12v system, so there could be confusion.

 

[mistericeman]

I think some Hymers did use blue and brown in their 12v system, so there could be confusion.

A lot of vehicles use all sorts of colours in the wiring loom ....

BUT all the modern stuff I've come across has used red/black for the main heavy duty battery leads .

 

[trevskoda]

Aircraft are all white but number codes on them, just thought id add some confusion.

 

[Nabsim]

For positive and negative there is no 'old' colours of red/black, and 'new' colours of Brown/blue,

German vans can have brown and blue instead of red and black. Don't think it's old v new or anything just they used a different standard. Hymers were often brown and blue. Don't know if they have changed this on new models now though

 

[colinm]

German vans can have brown and blue instead of red and black. Don't think it's old v new or anything just they used a different standard. Hymers were often brown and blue. Don't know if they have changed this on new models now though

Indeed, for DC systems different colours can be used, there is no old vs new colours. My Globecar is part of Hymer group, the main cables to leisure battery are brown for +ve, black for -ve!

 

[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.