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this battery is a FLA from my van. previous two batteries, yes, were gels and i *think* i set my controller to gel. in any event, it charged them at voltages in the 18 to 19v range, but at 2 amps or less.  how do i tell if the gels are ruined?  i'm careful to unplug the panel first, plug...

i'm in the bay area, oakland...  if there's a reputable place nearby, that would be cool. i was hoping to use my solar panels and controller as my charger; but now i'm questioning my panels due to a failed current test. i may be doing something wrong in the test --- altho i was pretty careful. i...

thanks brian...... well, i'll leave my battery on it. it's a 2 and 4 amp charger... it says my battery is fully charged. i don't see how that can be, due to how slowly it was charging today and how dead it was. i'll leave the battery on the charger i guess a couple days? it won't hurt it, at...

well, lacking anything else, i'll try to return my new solar panels, which seem to output very little current in bright sun, and just charge my battery on a small charger, and see if it holds the charge... then try to figure out if the van is leaving lights on,e tc....

and bullfrog - thanks. i'll check lights, etc. alas, since i yanked my battery, there's no tell tales left on what happened........ but i guess i gotta look at the automatic features....... i wish new cars were stupider.......

thanks for replies........ i'm trying to charge the battery today. this is to well, charge it, but it's the only way i no to test it, being a noobie, with new controller and panels. i will see if it can be charged, and hold a charge. however, even with bright sun, it's charging at 19v .4 to 1...

ty, malamute................ i actually am going to try to remove them. i just watched a video, etc. i'm not used to new terminals, etc... i'm removing them mainly to remove the battery to charge it tomorrow. i have 300w of solar (dokio) and a controller......... have a good week..........

thanks guys for the responses! as i said, the battery has seemed ok, tho somewhat low, 12.3 to 12.5..consistently. idk if i killed it over the past few months ---- did i? am i a battery killer? sad... terminals look fine, altho i didn't remove them. but i've had it on a solar trickle charger...

I have a 2020 Chevy van that I bought from a fleet in April. I added about 40 ml distilled water to each cell last week, to about the bottom of each well,a it seemed fine for two or three drives. Today voltage was 10. I didn't leave anything on, afaik. However the van does have automatic systems...

am i missing something. this person joined on 7/17/20. they posted one post - this one. in the wrong section. they were last on line on 7/17/20, the day they joined. which was the day they posted this strange post.

thanks hdr, i'll check otu santan.... sounds like they have great prices. you can fit 870 watts on your roof? trebor, i'd like to avoid putting holes in too.... i'll maybe try to sneak in one of the doors... idk, maybe i'll hook up my roof panel as required.... i have my dokio... g

ty for all replies... i'm still a bit concerned about the gases released by the lead acids... i guess at night, not an issue -- ever? since they're not charging. i'm also wondering about just how long it takes to fully charge the lead acids every day. it seems like you'll always be having to...

thanks for the reply, trebor, and instructions. i could do a current test... not used to that, but can. how did you put the panel on the roof with no hole? i am, liek most i guess, not happy to think of putting a hole in my roof. i watch marine videos on solar --------- the guy there advocated...

color me green with envy..............lol.. sounds wonderful............ i'm just trying to get started and have been getting some really good support here........... i guess i did decide that i'd need a solid solar/battery setup, although i don't have a cpap requirement. best of luck

thanks jim. it is an mppt controller, an epever. if i use the panels at my house, they won't be tied in to the grid. i no i don't no how to do that. and thanks jonyjoe, i'll lean to the 190w or more.... i'm kind of trying to be a little stealth, so don't relish a huge panel up there... i'm...

a recycling place near me has used solar panels...  he said 190w for $76, 120w for $48... he said 37v. that sounds appropriate for my controller - that is, for my epever controller, which can take 12 or 24 v dc. does this all sound good for potential vehicle use? what should i look for other...

hdr, ty....................

not to hijack, but one of the stoves i'm considering is a trangia - i actually own three. which would take of the comparatively short burn time for them. (i can switch one in for another). but wondering what is the problem with alcohol burning compared to propane in a confined space. they seem...

ty................. weighing the gas possibilities...........if too troubling, i'll lean to agm...

thanks so much, trebor for the detailed info........... it's helpful to have practical details about what people do with their FLA's and where they store them.... i'll have to think about this..... i do have a batteries plus near me, so that is a positive, and i noticed the duracell golf cart...