Community Forums

Doggie · 09-28-2008, 05:43 PM

I'm full timer and was told I could expect 5+ years from my Interstate U2200's. I have 2 and they are just under 2 years old. These batteries are either going bad or my charge controller has started allowing them to drain once the sun starts going down. I had a fuse blow between the charge controller and the batteries a few weeks ago and the problem started at that point. I have a feeling that the diode in the charge controller may have stopped functioning.
2 questions:
1. Is there a way I can detect a drain coming from the solar system?
2. Is 2 years normal for life expectance of full time lead acid batteries?

Doggie · 09-28-2008, 05:43 PM

I'm full timer and was told I could expect 5+ years from my Interstate U2200's. I have 2 and they are just under 2 years old. These batteries are either going bad or my charge controller has started allowing them to drain once the sun starts going down. I had a fuse blow between the charge controller and the batteries a few weeks ago and the problem started at that point. I have a feeling that the diode in the charge controller may have stopped functioning.
2 questions:
1. Is there a way I can detect a drain coming from the solar system?
2. Is 2 years normal for life expectance of full time lead acid batteries?

RV Wizard · 09-29-2008, 01:17 AM

Do you have a multimeter and know how to check DC current? If so at night when there is not light to cause the solar panel to charge, check to see if there is any current flowing from the battery bank to the panel. We have been fultiming for almost seven years and our 4 U2200 batteries are still good.

Doggie · 09-29-2008, 04:15 AM

Thank you Mike. It is still dark here. I have a digital volt meter and just disconnected the positive lead coming from the solar panels, then tested the voltage between the battery and the lead. The meter indicated 6.7 volts going back to the panels thru the charge controller.

troth · 09-29-2008, 05:53 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have a feeling that the diode in the charge controller may have stopped functioning. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree.

Good luck.