Solar and Batteries

[Trebor English]

The fact that some people use 13.5 volts as a float setting doesn't mean there is a controller set to 13.5 volts and that the reason for the 13.5 volts is the float setting.  If there is some over night load and it is 11AM it is reasonable that the battery voltage could be 13.5 wired direct to the panel.  

Check the voltage every 2 hours and write them down.  If it gets to 14.5 either turn on loads or disconnect the panel.  BE the solar charge controller.

 

[tripper]

A couple of pictures off your cell phone of the solar panel would b worth 1000 words.

 

[highdesertranger]

ok I have some pics from Duckwonder.  the pic of the solar panel is not good enough to try to figure a size.  it would help if you could get an above shot here's some ideas,

friends with a balcony you could park the van under and get a picture from the balcony.
put your camera on a stick to get it above the panel.
a parking garage you can park next to and walk up to the second level to get a pic.
any type of building with a second story window you can get a above shot out of.
a loading dock you could park next to.
a youngin you could ask to get a pic for you.

so know on to the pics I have.  I am only going to show the important ones.

the warning label.

I posted this because it doesn't say the van will not move but don't move it if the battery is not locked in place.

the infamous battery lock,

this appears to be a pin that simply goes down though a hole maybe it's a bit out of alignment.  try to spray some penetrating oil around the pin where the arrow is let the oil run all the way down the pin while you move the pin back and forth.  no need to try to pull up on the pin until you get the lower portion of the pin well lubed.  then try to lift as you twist.  it should free up.

the second battery,

we need to find out where these cables go I put the yellow circle in.  from your voltage check they appear to be connector to the main battery somehow and a solar charge controller.  but we simply don't know.  highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

That pin looks to me like a spring-loaded locking pin.

As HDR mentioned, maybe some spray lube, WD-40 or whatever you have, then pull up while jostling the tray a bit...it should lift up easily unless its jammed or damaged.

 

[duckwonder]

Will try some light gun oil first and if that does not get it then maybe some wd-40 and if that works follow it with grease.  That lock is something Else.  Will get a pic of the wiring on the main house battery if successful.

The solar panel view from the top, will think about that.  Strong hunch it's a standard 100w panel.  Exact size unknown, can't get up there with my back issues.

The wiring from the second battery in the larger compartment - I will not be able to trace those wires, we have to assume they are connected to the main house battery to the right of the axle.

Still no knowledge of where a solar controller may be if it exists, no way to find out that I know of as I've looked pretty much everywhere.
  
Does anyone have or know how to locate a schematic/design of the van as it was built?  That was an awesome idea.  Manufacturer will not provide.

Thanks to everyone who is helping.  I hope to get on the road very soon.

 

[duckwonder]

I surrender.

It will be a joyful day when I watch a good friend of mine yet to be met blast through metal to create 1/16" around the holes in the battery tray that hold that lock.

Let's forget about my completely mysterious to me and all electrical system.

The prize is the number of days.  I know this.  

I'm going out good people of the forums.

Catch me when I get there?

I'd do it for you.

 

[user 15722]

So, we need to find out what is at the other end of those cables in picture #3... and inverter, or a charger, or a combo unit.
...should be in a cabinet or closet in that vicinity ? Under a bed riser ?
wheels

 

[duckwonder]

So, we need to find out what is at the other end of those cables in picture #3...  and inverter, or a charger, or a combo unit.
...should be in a cabinet or closet in that vicinity ?  Under a bed riser ?
wheels

you'd have to rip out the kitchen wall to see but the kitchen wall looks pretty flat to me.  nothing in cabinets or closet under bed in wheel wells anywhere that is visible.  am beginning to think it is useless speculation.  the thing works, sort of, but i did kill the battery twice on the maiden voyage.  now that i know the battery is only 2 years old, i messed it up with my shenanigans but i did not kill it forever.  both batteries are reading at 13.v.  bad news, no genny.  so it's not like i have a backup.  i need to get that gen fixed and then i'm out of here.

 

[duckwonder]

Ok, I'm looking for a welder but if that does not work out, I'm going with the batteries I have.  Envisioning myself jumping out with the voltmeter several times a day but that is probably a good thing since I'm just learning anyway.  If it dies while I'm on the road, I won't be able to access it to jump it, so that has me a bit concerned.  I really should do a little test run when I get the van loaded and organized.  Trying to figure that out too.  Waiting to fix the gen end of october.  Wish I was on the road to Havasu or to meet this Lesa character that seems so nice.  All is well.  Best to everyone.

 

[Weight]

have you lubricated that pin? looks like someone hammered it down? hammer it up?

 

[duckwonder]

have you lubricated that pin? looks like someone hammered it down? hammer it up?

Light gun oil then wd40.  Someone did hammer it down, wasn't me!  Hammer it up?  My thoughts exactly.  When I find the right welder, that will be our first approach, then we're going to put a real fix on that sucker.  Why don't I hammer it up?  Because the lock is already jammed and I'm likely to damage it further if I do it, then I will really will be stuck like chuck.  When I am able to upgrade the electrical system, which does not look like it will be very soon, I'm going to put a battery box in that spot and store my tools in it.  Won't matter if that lock is snug, will only matter that it holds the tray securely in the space.

 

[highdesertranger]

why do you need a welder? perhaps you mean a fabricator? highdesertranger

 

[duckwonder]

A fabricator, yes, thank you.  Since no one is stepping up in my area, I need to go where the help is, and being winter time, I hear that place is Arizona, which is where I've been hoping to go all along!  I'm coming to you!  I'll be conserving electricity as much as I possibly can and be living in the How to Live on 100 Watts of Solar thread as well as a few others where so many have provided such wonderful suggestions.  I'll also be hoping to sort out this mysterious electrical system of mine and hope to upgrade the solar if that is possible given the challenges of the situation.  I plan to venture over to Jamie's Van Build in Havasu first thing, but I may arrive after Nov 1 because I have to get the generator repaired last week of October. 

I may be out of touch for a minute getting ready, there's much to do!  I have not disappeared, and I know you all are out there, cuz I can feel it in here.  Finding gold for me is about magnetic energy, like the kind that brings life-long friends together.  I can't wait to meet you all.

 

[highdesertranger]

great news. see ya out west. highdesertranger

 

[PhilD1954]

Do a search for handybobsolar. Read what he has to say.

 

[B and C]

Other thing is the generator is now acting up and I have very carefully exercised it according to instructions and it's run like a top every time and was perfect as of 2 days ago.  I cannot imagine what went wrong there.  That whole deal could delay me getting out west, perhaps for the entire winter.  It is not easy getting in to Onan places.  So that's a bummer.  

Just a thought on the generator.  Don't know if anyone has mentioned it.  You need more than a 1/4 tank of gas for it to run.  It can't leave you stranded that way 

 

[duckwonder]

Just a thought on the generator.  Don't know if anyone has mentioned it.  You need more than a 1/4 tank of gas for it to run.  It can't leave you stranded that way 

Thank you, that's the kind of thing I can easily miss, but it does have nearly a full tank.  Appreciate it though. 

 

[breeze]

Do a search for handybobsolar. Read what he has to say.

All I saw was 4 year old and newer spam. Maybe you can provide an informative link - ?? I need to read my 2 solar books, since reading spam is not very productive. ymmv

:huh:

 

[John61CT]

Stuff from 4 years ago is 98% valid.

Take it all in and soon you can filter the chaff yourself.

 

[highdesertranger]

here's a link to Handy Bob's,

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

highdesertranger