Community Forums

SkiSmuggs · 02-19-2017, 08:17 AM

Instead of the usual plugging in the RV fiver over winter, I run a power cord to the battery compartment and use a Battery Minder to keep the dual Trojan GC2s charged. I also have 200w of solar. It was sunny and warm yesterday so I checked on the fiver to find the batteries dead, the Battery Minder power light on but no charge status lights. I removed the BM and plugged into the 30a cord and I now showed 14.8 volts for bulk charging which dropped to 13.2 float after a while. I left it plugged in overnight and, puzzled, took a jug of distilled water out this morning and pumped the remaining quart of water into the batteries. So now I know the batteries had gone dry after being topped off in November. I wonder about the damage done to the 4 year old batteries and what made them boil off. I had planned to put a solar disconnect on, but figured the clouds, low sun and snow would keep output to a minimum.

vsheetz · 02-19-2017, 08:33 AM

Monthly battery checking is usually recommended. Is the solar controller a quality three stage unit? Are both chargers working as they should? As for the batteries current health they have had there life shortened. By how much is not easy to know unless the loss of capacity is obvious. I would get a good charge on them, check specific gravity and do a breakdown test. Then go from there.

SkiSmuggs · 02-19-2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Monthly battery checking is usually recommended. Is the solar controller a quality three stage unit? Are both chargers working as they should? As for the batteries current health they have had there life shortened. By how much is not easy to know unless the loss of capacity is obvious. I would get a good charge on them, check specific gravity and do a breakdown test. Then go from there.

Thanks, the solar controller is a 3 stage ViewStar set to Trojan specs with equalizing on the 28th of every month. I will get a hydrometer and check them in a couple of days. I just looked at the Trojan manual and they do say to check monthly, but the watering system caps are difficult to remove as I found out today and pumping water in often 10 or 20 degree temps is not much fun. We have a week of warm weather ahead so I will check them out.

vsheetz · 02-19-2017, 05:47 PM

Equalizing monthly, especially while in storage, may well be the source of the water consumption.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-20-2017, 12:34 PM

Note that as the electrolyte (water) level gets lower, the battery heats up more under charge and boiling increases. It's a vicious cycle once it starts.

I can't imagine equalizing monthly, especially during winter storage, if the solar was in fact able to generate a equalizing cycle that often in the winter climates.

Reid · 02-20-2017, 12:59 PM

Getting access to my battery compartment was impossible; I had to use mirror when filling with water. Bought a Flow-Rite and adding water is now a breeze. The battery caps are replaced with Flow-Rite. When adding water, just connect unit, put end of hose in jug of distilled water and squeeze. You cannot overfill.

NW Explorers · 02-20-2017, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Thanks, the solar controller is a 3 stage ViewStar set to Trojan specs with equalizing on the 28th of every month. I will get a hydrometer and check them in a couple of days. I just looked at the Trojan manual and they do say to check monthly, but the watering system caps are difficult to remove as I found out today and pumping water in often 10 or 20 degree temps is not much fun. We have a week of warm weather ahead so I will check them out.

The batteries in many RVs, including ours, are almost impossible to 'water.' That's the main reason I went to AGM batteries.

I hope yours survive.

Happy trails,

SkiSmuggs · 02-21-2017, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Note that as the electrolyte (water) level gets lower, the battery heats up more under charge and boiling increases. It's a vicious cycle once it starts.

I can't imagine equalizing monthly, especially during winter storage, if the solar was in fact able to generate a equalizing cycle that often in the winter climates.

Thanks, I plan to add a disconnect to the solar system.

SkiSmuggs · 02-21-2017, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reid

Getting access to my battery compartment was impossible; I had to use mirror when filling with water. Bought a Flow-Rite and adding water is now a breeze. The battery caps are replaced with Flow-Rite. When adding water, just connect unit, put end of hose in jug of distilled water and squeeze. You cannot overfill.

Yes, I have that, thanks.

okcnewbie · 02-21-2017, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Thanks, I plan to add a disconnect to the solar system.

A properly setup solar system/charger will not kill the batteries if left hooked up. Matter of fact I suspect many batteries have been saved just because the solar takes care of them during the winter.

SkiSmuggs · 02-21-2017, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW Explorers

The batteries in many RVs, including ours, are almost impossible to 'water.' That's the main reason I went to AGM batteries.

I hope yours survive.

Happy trails,

I am letting it charge a few days before checking specific gravity, but I am pretty much resigned to a new pair. Glad I got 4 years out of them and hope to make the new ones last longer with the input I got here. Thanks, everyone!

SkiSmuggs · 02-24-2017, 07:52 AM

After filling the dry batteries and running the on board converter/charger for a few days, I've confirmed that the batteries are dead. In shopping for replacements (I paid $125 each for the T-105 five years ago), I found 3 suppliers in VT at $145, $175 for T-105 and $148 for Interstate plus 6% tax. Called my original supplier in NH and T-105s are $130 with no sales tax. Sounds like a road trip. Even with the cost of fuel in a 30mpg Subaru, I should come out ahead.

SkiSmuggs · 02-24-2017, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

A properly setup solar system/charger will not kill the batteries if left hooked up. Matter of fact I suspect many batteries have been saved just because the solar takes care of them during the winter.

It is set up to Trojan specs, but I plan to at least turn the equalization down from 15.6 to about 15.2 or reduce the hours that equalization runs. But mostly, I need to top off batteries monthly.

TLGPE · 02-24-2017, 04:01 PM

One more thought: Sam's Club or Costco will have good batteries for about $85 each. The total AH rating is a little less, but the cost is a lot less. Unless you boondock a lot, the standard 6V wet cells will serve just as well.

If you don't have a solar controller, you need to get one; they are pretty cheap. Check Amazon.

HTH

Tom