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Topic: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar (Read 10 times) previous topic - next topic
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Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Yahoo Message Number: 111287
I have learned so much from forums, this one especially. Changed goal from Born Free to Lazy Daze after reading this one.
 Seats, new carpet being installed in April; new sofa foam being ordered; still hunting for sink I want that fits. It is sureal, I am so excited.
 But first, we are having installed a Progressive Surge Protector, LED brake lights, a 3rd brake light. (Again because of this forum) - and 3 more (we have 1) AM solar panels, Lifeline AGM batteries, Heliotrope HPT-30DR controller, and a Magnum Energy whatever that thing is. To say we are excited is an understatement, but I have a question or two, please.
 The solar installer/RV tech recommended by AM Solar suggests we stay with 6 volt batteries. OK. I know some prefer them.
 (He has only seen photos of our RV so far as he is 3.5 hours away. I don't think he is familiar with Lazy Daze. He should be in for a pleasant surprise.)
 I had mentioned room beneath refrigerator to him. (Andy's 12 volt set up)
 In emails, he informed us it is OK to split the battery bank... "as long as they are either all outside or all inside due to the temperature sensor for the charge controller."  How are y'all able to put some of yours inside? Am I missing something? Or are y'all just using a different type controller and it does not matter with yours? Or you have the experience to flaunt "rules"?
 Also, told I did not need all the panels to tilt, though they could and that mixing it up and running some front to back and others side to side on the roof is not a bad thing, but could work to our advantage in different parking scenarios.

(Our summers will be in the Pacific Northwest.)
 If he holds strong to not mixing the batteries inside in out, did I not read here that the lower storage areas were not strong enough for AGM batteries?
 I think it was Bumper (?) who said he had put his batteries beneath the rig. Has that worked out well?  Any other successful places "outside" for batteries by y'all?
 I'll try to keep it shorter next time, it's just that it is sinking in that we actually bought an RV -and - we are not second guessing our decision - and - it will be ready to use in a month. I appreciate your posts and your time! Thank you.
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111294
"The solar installer/RV tech recommended by AM Solar suggests we stay with 6 volt batteries. OK. I know some prefer them. (He has only seen photos of our RV so far as he is 3.5 hours away. I don't think he is familiar with Lazy Daze. He should be in for a pleasant surprise.)"

Marcia
 Unless your LD is VERY special and unique, the techs at AM Solar will be extremely familiar with your LD. They have install dozens of solar systems in them.
AM Solar is a first-class act.
 Tilting panels are only significantly effective if all the panels tilt the same way and the orientation of the MH is perfectly aligned to the sun at allow the panels all-day exposure.
Get it off a few degrees and you may get less power with tilting panels.
It is also a bit of work and adds a layer of danger to get on the roof and tilt them every time you move. It's worth it if you will be parking for long periods without hookups.
 Batteries should all be installed in the same operating environment. They should all operate at the same temperature for maximum charging efficiently and battery-life. The battery pack can split but you will not get the full benefit of the expensive installation.
Batteries, operating at different temperatures, have different charging requirements and discharge rates.
Split batteries packs can have some or all the batteries being charged at the wrong rate, depending on the temperature differentials.
This is why when I added two more batteries; I move all four to a tray mounted under the LD's frame.
All the batteries are in the same operating environment.
It's the right way to add batteries.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602104740457/
 Changing all the batteries to AGMS, mounting two extras inside the coach is another way to correctly add batteries. Lead-acid batteries cannot be mounted inside unless stored inside a sealed compartment that is vented to the outside of the MH. This prevents the buildup of explosive hydrogen gas inside the MH.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111295
Larry,

Aren't your two statements contradicting each other?

Rich
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111297
Quote
Unless your LD is VERY special and unique, the techs at AM Solar will be extremely familiar with your LD. They have install dozens of solar systems in them.
AM Solar is a first-class act.

 While it is true that AM Solar is very familiar with Lazy Daze, Marcia said she was using an installer recommended by AM Solar.  I take that to mean that she won't actually be *at* AM Solar in Springfield, OR.

Regardless, it doesn't require one to be familiar with a particular brand/model of RV in order to install solar.  After all, it's not rocket science (for the knowledgeable solar installer...it *would be for me ;-) ).

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111300
Just curious as to which LD unit you have?
 Also, where are you ordering the new sofa foam and sink from, directly from LD?
 These are two items I plan to replace in the near future and would appreciate knowing where to go to get these two items.
 Did you carpet installer find it difficult or relatively easy to replace the carpet?

Thanks,

Ed 94' LD 26.5' Midbath Port Richey, FL
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111303
"Aren't your two statements contradicting each other?"

Rich

I assume you are referring to adding the AGMs inside.
The existing battery compartment in vented but is does stay somewhat close to what the inside battery temperature is, much closer in temperature than what a frame mounted battery would, especially in cold weather. The interior wall of the battery compartment is thin plastic, with little insulative value.
When changing over to AGMs and/or installing additional AGMs, the battery compartment door can easily be sealed and insulated with a fitted sheet of foam to help maintain even battery temperatures. You can even vent the inside of the battery compartment to the interior without much effort to maintain an even temperature in all the batteries.
Splitting batteries is never a good thing. It's even worse when operating large inverters. High current loads require very large cabling to prevent voltage loss and uneven battery discharge rates.
Ideally, batteries should be close together, enabling short cable runs that promote even charge and discharge rates.
Inverters should be as close to the battery pack as possible, once again, to prevent voltage drop.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111309
"When changing over to AGMs and/or installing additional AGMs, the battery compartment door can easily be sealed and insulated with a fitted sheet of foam to help maintain even battery temperatures. You can even vent the inside of the battery compartment to the interior without much effort to maintain an even temperature in all the batteries."
 That's exactly what Mike Sylvester and I did when he installed the five Group 27 AGM batteries in my 2003 midbath. Mike cut a big hole in the back of the plastic battery compartment, so that it shares air with the interior compartment under the fridge where we mounted the other three batteries. And I insulated the inside of the exterior battery compartment door so that the outside air wouldn't get in. I haven't taken preceise measurements, but I'd bet that the two sets of batteries stay within a few degrees of each other in temperature.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111310
I'm not sure which floor plan we are discussing here but in our 1997 RB we had AM Solar install two Lifeline 8D AGMs under the forward dinette seat, plus a 1300 watt Inverter and a battery disconnect switch. No need to cut any holes in the adjacent now empty factory battery compartment.

I was thinking of getting a small quiet Honda generator a few weeks ago and thought the now empty vented battery compartment would be an ideal place for the gasoline container.

best, paul

"Thriving not surviving" ‹(•¿•)› Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside... replacement foam and si
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111342
Thanks, you all! I understand it much better now, both why the installer said that and how you have gotten around it in your rigs - and the tilting. I can relax now.
 Yes, AM Solar recommended Lew when I asked if they had an installer in Florida. He winters in Marco Island.

Panoply is a 2006 26.5 Midbath.
 SINKS: Lazy Daze does sell the white replacement for that model, I believe he said $100.
 I have searched for weeks online, looked at hundreds of sinks. I emailed Lyons, to see if they had another color of acrylic that would fit after weeks of wading through hundreds of sinks online for a stainless one. There is a stainless double sink at Amazon and at an RV parts store that might work, but the pics are not good and does not list the gauge.
 Like everything else in a Lazy Daze, sinks are not easy to take out. They have globs of caulking, even up about an inch high through the two unused holes beneath the faucet cover.
 Replacement foam: We are ordering custom sized mattresses for the RV sofas. Savvy Rest mattresses (and a few others) are pure latex wrapped in pesticide and chemical free wool and organic cotton; the wool is a legal flame retardant. They have to be put on slatted frames because of moisture issues with latex. We are drilling holes through the slats' railing to let air circulate between the wood box and slats. The mattress company verified that should be enough ventilation.

Again, thanks for the help, y'all.
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111396
Quote
Splitting batteries is never a good thing. It's even worse when operating large inverters. High current loads require very large cabling to prevent voltage loss and uneven battery discharge rates.
Ideally, batteries should be close together, enabling short cable runs that promote even charge and discharge rates.
Inverters should be as close to the battery pack as possible, once again, to prevent voltage drop.

Larry
Additionally, batteries separated by more than a VERY SHORT distance should have the connecting cable fuse protected at BOTH ends - an added but necessary voltage drop.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
 
Re: Told can't put some batteries outside and some inside for solar
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 111408
Thanks, Larry, that is good to know.

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