Hi everyone!
I hope someone can help clarify some concerns I have for my SOLAR set up as well as my interest in an isolator set up for my battery bank.
Background: I live in a 16' ford transit high roof. I have 4x100W renogy solar setup with 40 amp controller with 4 6v 125 aH wet cell batteries in parallel and series. I only use a fridge full time and it is on the lowest setting (1/5).
questions?
1. When I am getting a solar charge, I charge at around 1.5-2 amps and approx. 60-70V. While im receiving solar power batteries appear to charge at these numbers but as soon as the sun goes down, voltage goes down to about 12.6V. When i moved into the van, by the end of my first week, voltage had gone from 13.8 to 12.0 v. I have a 40 amp charger I use to charge them over night every few months, but as soon as i unplug it, the batteries Voltage goes right back down to about 12.8v. is this normal? I have read that wet cells resting voltage is typically high 12v's....is this true?
2. I live in southern california and would like to continue using my fridge through winter this year. I know that there is no way my solar will keep batteries charged up with just a couple hours of true charging power. I have considered a isolator setup to help keep the voltage up on the battery bank. A few concerns on this idea: I hear this can destroy an alternator, is this true? with the size of my battery bank, is an isolator even efficient to charge the bank? are there any other concerns I should be aware of when using this set up to charge?
I am open to suggestions and hope someone can help me out!
I am no electrician and simply installing solar was a learning curve for me! please be thorough and patient with me.
THANKS!
I hope someone can help clarify some concerns I have for my SOLAR set up as well as my interest in an isolator set up for my battery bank.
Background: I live in a 16' ford transit high roof. I have 4x100W renogy solar setup with 40 amp controller with 4 6v 125 aH wet cell batteries in parallel and series. I only use a fridge full time and it is on the lowest setting (1/5).
questions?
1. When I am getting a solar charge, I charge at around 1.5-2 amps and approx. 60-70V. While im receiving solar power batteries appear to charge at these numbers but as soon as the sun goes down, voltage goes down to about 12.6V. When i moved into the van, by the end of my first week, voltage had gone from 13.8 to 12.0 v. I have a 40 amp charger I use to charge them over night every few months, but as soon as i unplug it, the batteries Voltage goes right back down to about 12.8v. is this normal? I have read that wet cells resting voltage is typically high 12v's....is this true?
2. I live in southern california and would like to continue using my fridge through winter this year. I know that there is no way my solar will keep batteries charged up with just a couple hours of true charging power. I have considered a isolator setup to help keep the voltage up on the battery bank. A few concerns on this idea: I hear this can destroy an alternator, is this true? with the size of my battery bank, is an isolator even efficient to charge the bank? are there any other concerns I should be aware of when using this set up to charge?
I am open to suggestions and hope someone can help me out!
I am no electrician and simply installing solar was a learning curve for me! please be thorough and patient with me.
THANKS!