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Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Yahoo Message Number: 129543
Hi All
 Hard to believe there are nearly 130K posts.  (I remember when there were 4K) But to the question.
 My 2002RK still has the RV-30S controller in it and while I am religious about adding water the batteries the volume of water used means they're baking and the culprit is the charge controller.
 So after 10 years of this I would like to replace the battery killer.  Net is with what?  No more HPV-22B's are available so what is everyone using now?  I have done a few searches but even up to last December the talk was of the HPV-22B.  So what are people/LD using now?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Gary
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129545
Hi Gary -

How many panels / amps?

Rich '03 MB
2003 MB
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129546
Quote
Hi All
 "So after 10 years of this I would like to replace the battery killer.  Net is with what?  No more HPV-22B's are available so what is everyone using now?  I have done a few searches but even up to last December the talk was of the HPV-22B.  So what are people/LD using now?"

Gary
Gary
 Check AM Solar's web-site, there are several available. Chose the one appropriate to your system.

http://www.amsolar.com/

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129550
Quote
My 2002RK still has the RV-30S controller in it and while I am religious about adding water the batteries the volume of water used means they're baking and the culprit is the charge controller.
Be careful here - one sign of internal battery problems is rapid water loss with a normal charge voltage. A common issue is a shorted cell, which will place too much charge voltage across across the remaining 5 cells. If you find you add little water to one cell, but a lot to the others, this is an indicator. Also, disconnect the batteries for a couple hours, then compare their voltages.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129557
"If you find you add little water to one cell, but a lot to the others, this is an indicator."

Good tip, Steve--I didn't know that!

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: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129563
Good piece of information to know.  I actually saw the reverse of this once.  When adding water I notice one cell was lower than the others.  Took a lot of water.  Then when hooked up aga
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129564
Quote
2 85 watt panels for a total of 190 watts
Or maybe 170 Watts?

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129566
I would look at a Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT 15.
 If you already have a battery monitor like a LinkLite, the sunsaver mppt 15 could be all you need.
 If you need/want a digital readout, you can add the Morningstar RM-1.
 Unless you mount the charge controller very close to the batteries, consider adding the remote temp sensor.
 I see both on the AM Solar website, and they are commonly available from a number of sellers.  You're looking at $250-$400 plus install, depending on which options you choose.

Rich '03 MB
2003 MB
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129568
Quote
I would look at a Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT 15.
 If you already have a battery monitor like a LinkLite, the sunsaver mppt 15 could be all you need.
 If you need/want a digital readout, you can add the Morningstar RM-1.
 Unless you mount the charge controller very close to the batteries, consider adding the remote temp sensor.
 I see both on the AM Solar website, and they are commonly available from a number of sellers.  You're looking at $250-$400 plus install, depending on which options you choose.
I use that model, which is a very sophisticated and well-made design. I like it because it is small, can be hidden, and does not need a cutout in any panels, if you do not need the optional readout. Its mounting does have air circulation requirements, but I have never noticed any heat from ours. It has a maximum rating of 200W of solar input, 15A output. It is protected against over-driving, so 170W will be no problem. I am planning to shortly upgrade to 200W solar, from our current 106W, and am anticipating no issues.
 Although I have no solar readout, I do have a LinkLite battery monitor, which is the more useful tool if you want to minimize read-out clutter.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129570
If your batteries are mounted in the normal "outside" compartment, a remote temperature sensor is always a good addition, no matter how close the controller is to the battery compartment.

Rich - 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129572
Mine is located 6" or so from the battery compartment :)  It makes for short wire runs, and the temps are pretty darn close.
 You do bring up a good point that I didn't make clear.  Don't mount your charge controller _IN_ the battery compartment.

Rich '03MB
2003 MB
 
Re: Current LD Charge Controller or Recommended Brand
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129578
Thanks All.
 I think I have the info I need.  Will post up the results after I get the new parts installed.

Gary