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TexasTwoStep · 05-14-2017, 08:30 AM

After pulling 7 hrs yesterday in full sun I stopped and set up to boondock camp. My Trimetric, Magnum display, and voltmeter showed my state of charge was 12.4v. Trimetric showed batteries 100% with amp/hrs down only 3.9 amps. Help me make sense of this please. Batteries 4-6v Trojan (2013) never equalized.

C&SL · 05-14-2017, 09:23 AM

@ 12.4 your batteries are not at 100% charged, more like a little under 80%. I would check the settings on your charge controller and your Trimetric monitor to see if you have the correct battery parameters sittings.

Presuming batteries have been maintained, Water level and clean terminals.

C&SL
Monaco
Midnite Classic 150
1850 watts
1350 Ah

Smitty77 · 05-14-2017, 09:26 AM

You might want to grab a multi meter and test each battery separately. You could have one of the batteries that has none South on you, and that would drag all of the others down to it's level? (And of course, be sure to disconnect the battery cables while doing the readings, to isolate the batteries.)

At 2013, and if not accidentally abused over the years, you should have some good years ahead on them. But, things can go wrong

!

If they all test about the same, then equalizing them sure would not hurt them. And I also found that in our Bounder, with X's 2 Trojan T125's - that while at home a Battery Tender with automatic De-sulfation sure kept them healthy.

If you do find one of the batteries has a bad cell, IMO, replace them all at the same time.

(Note: All of this based upon the assumption that your solar gear is all working well, and that know problems are on the charging end...)

Will follow the thread to see what develops, and best of luck,
Smitty

twinboat · 05-14-2017, 09:48 AM

Was there something drawing on the batteries, when you read the voltages ?

Volts are only accurate in a standing state. Nothing drawing off them.

TexasTwoStep · 05-14-2017, 06:26 PM

This morning I remembered I had lowered the charging voltage on my controller last year to 14.6 after talking to the Trimetric guy. Problem was I was seeing charging voltage above 15 then and was concerned. Anyway I reset it to 14.8 amps and in the process noticed my disconnect wasn't in all the way. Between these two items the problem seems to have gone away. We'll see. Thanks guys.