Flat 2008 Leisure Batteries revived, sort of

[Nicholas Boff]

We have 2 50W panels they we place in the windscreen are on the dash. Just to keep all of the batteries trickle charging

Oops autocorrect doing its worst. Should read...that we place in the windscreen on the dash.....

 

[Lambeth Cali]

We have 2 50W panels they we place in the windscreen are on the dash. Just to keep all of the batteries trickle charging

Yes I would love that. Plugged into a 12V socket? Which make?

 

[wildslammer22]

Yes I have treated our batteries terribly for 15 years. The van sits months doing nothing. I only plug it in the night before we go somewhere, when packing and filling fridge. Perhaps they like our 2 week holidays driving (generator) and camping around France. Maybe that conditions them a bit. I see on Tayna website they say Varta LA80s are designed for periods of no use - "These batteries are ideal for seasonal use, so when you take your boat or caravan out of winter storage, it’s ready to go." Maybe we're just lucky. I honestly reckon they will survive.

The thing is I see the van as 2 parts - a van and engine that my garage can fix, and the camping stuff that I need to try and maintain. I am loathe to add another complex bit - solar electrics - that can go wrong. I don't really understand it at all.

You have a Midas touch. Mine are goosed after 6 years. I’ve owned it for 2 years and used it as a daily driver. I hit 10.7 about a week ago, the solar on a good day can get them back up to 12.7-9 but it doesn’t hold the charge well and the fridge switches off after 2 days even with the solar.

 

[Nicholas Boff]

Yes I would love that. Plugged into a 12V socket? Which make?

We have 2 X flexi solar panels that are joined by mc4 connectors and Anderson quick connectors (for quick disconnection) and fed to a PWM duo charge controller (looking for a similar MPPT). Under the passenger seat is the VW fitted split charging relay, where I connected each +ve output of the controller to each side of the split charging relay. Each input and output of the controller is fused.
It possibly sounds intricate but is easily carried out.
I hope this helps

 

[Nicholas Boff]

We have 2 X flexi solar panels that are joined by mc4 connectors and Anderson quick connectors (for quick disconnection) and fed to a PWM duo charge controller (looking for a similar MPPT). Under the passenger seat is the VW fitted split charging relay, where I connected each +ve output of the controller to each side of the split charging relay. Each input and output of the controller is fused.
It possibly sounds intricate but is easily carried out.
I hope this helps

Forgot to add that the parts were sourced from Amazon.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

We have 2 X flexi solar panels that are joined by mc4 connectors and Anderson quick connectors (for quick disconnection) and fed to a PWM duo charge controller (looking for a similar MPPT). Under the passenger seat is the VW fitted split charging relay, where I connected each +ve output of the controller to each side of the split charging relay. Each input and output of the controller is fused.
It possibly sounds intricate but is easily carried out.
I hope this helps

Thanks but yes all Swahili to me. I wouldn’t want to be connecting and disconnecting anything I think. I don’t understand any of it. I was hoping it was one of those things you put on dash and plug into 12V cigarette socket.
I mean I’ve coped for 15 years. Will just get new batteries when these konk out.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Showing 12.9 after 36 hrs plugged in.

Will read it in 2 hrs when we set off.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

So I drove to Dorset and arrived Friday late afternoon with the fridge on and 100%.

The voltage went up and down between 12.1v and 12.4v all weekend. Occasionally it would be showing 0 Amps but normally -3.6A. Is that because the fridge is not taking any charge? Turning itself on and off as required?



Eventually before we left I turned the fridge off for 30 minutes to take a voltage reading. On Monday after 65 hours with the fridge and occasional lights on it showed 12.2v.



That’s probably as long as I would go these days without plugging in or driving a bit.



So 12.2v = 60% is not bad after 3 nights camping with 16 year old batteries. I will add to my list of things that may need replacing.