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Topic: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries. (Read 19 times) previous topic - next topic
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Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Yahoo Message Number: 147871
I have two 26-1/2 ft Lazy Daze motor homes side by side in our storage yard. Both have the same amount of solar panels.
 LD 1 is a 1999 rear bath and has two 6 volts house batteries and still the factory-installed RV 30S charge controller. .
 LD 2 is a 2001 mid bath and has four 6 volts house batteries and a 3000i Blue Sky charge controller.
 At 2:00 PM in the afternoon LD 1 batteries were reading 14.9 volts and LD 2 batteries were reading 13.5 volts.
Note: Both were connected to solar panels.
 My concern is the input of LD 1. Is this too much input and should I consider replacement of the charge controller? Both batteries individually at rest (disconnected) read 6.33 volts each.

Please advise.

Aad Rommelse
2001 MB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147873
In LD 1 the RV30S is in the process of destroying the batteries if they are not already gone due to over charging. If somebody left the RV30 turned on and it has been there a while. I'd bet the cells are dry and destroyed.

The Blue Sky is a much more intelligent charge controller, and is probably fine to leave turned on. But 13.5 is a bit higher than recommended float voltage, assuming it is an accurate reading.

Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147875
Dave and Ron,

Thanks for your comments.
The 1999 Lazy Daze Rear Bath belongs to our daughter and her family.
Despite that the batteries were reading 6.33 volts individually, you may be correct Dave that the batteries have been damaged already. Our son-in-law has been complaining about having to add water to his batteries frequently in the past, although they were filled properly when I checked them out. I have not talked to him about this yet but I assume that he filled them up before he dropped their Lazy Daze off.
 I was not aware that the RV 30S voltage is adjustable. I plan to look for the DIP switches tomorrow. I also may still have an older RV 30S charge controller that I upgrades with the 3000i Blue Sky. Guess who pays for new batteries again? ? ? ? ???

I always enjoy learning things at my o........age.

Aad
2001 MB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147878
The HPV-22 (non-B) had the same problem. It was set from the factory to land around 14.5 +/-.  That is why I replaced mine with the B model upon arrival at the factory in 2006. At least the B model has a couple of switches including one that just runs it off.  In my case, the LD is stored in my garage out of the sun when not being used, so I just leave the LD plugged in to the wall.

I upgraded the power converter to a 3 stage unit a while back when replacing the batteries. I should upgrade to some kind a multi-stage solar converter too. But have not done that (since the vehicle is garaged, it is not really a big deal).

The RV30S will cook your batteries in short order, if left in the sunshine for long periods of time. I have advised a couple of my Great Lakes LD CC friends to pull the fuse if they are on shore power, but parked outside.

One thing I will suggest, is you might want to borrow a second digital voltmeter and gather a second opinion as to what your voltage really is.  Your instrument might be giving you generous readings, especially if it is older and/or an inexpensive wal-mart class device.   Keep in mind we are talking about tiny differences in readings. 13.2 vs 13.5 for example.  Also if there is any current flowing, measure at the batteries. Voltage drop across the in-vehicle cabling can easily be a few tenths. Particularly if any of your readings are on the solar controller itself.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147882
Aad, you might want to read a thread I started several months ago starting with message # 144647.

I still have my 22B set for 14.8 and found that I have had to add almost no water in these new batteries. When plugged into shore power I change the setting on the 22B to shore power which has a lower set point.

We met you in Q this past Jan which is when we replaced out batts. Hope you are well despite the tranny woes.

Jim C
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147883
Thanks, Jim, for referring me to this thread. As I mentioned several times before, I am always game to learn more.
 I am fairly well convinced that the RV 30S charge controller is the culprit. I checked the output of the solar panels on the roof, which read the same as the input into the batteries. This is well in access of the 14.8 volts. I also did not see any adjustment on the back of this controller. Did I overlook something there?

Aad
2001 MB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147886
I do the same with my 22B, Jim, and have had no problems in 7 years with current batteries.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147896
Jim,
 The controller was indeed the problem. After I changed it with a similar RV 30S the input into the batteries was normal again. Despite my son-in-law telling me that he had to add water to the batteries frequently, they still seem to hold the charge. Time shall tell. Thanks,

Aad
2001 MB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147902
Based on your comments I am concerned that The house batteries in our 04, 26.5, MB may be in the process of being "cooked".
 In the past the RV-30S controller has typically indicated 12-12.8 volts in sunny conditions. For the past several days in bright sun in the Ca. Central Valley, the reading has been 14 volts. I find no way to adjust the controller. I covered the single solar panel with a towel and after awhile the reading came down to 12.6.
 Again, based on previous comments, I researched the cost of a Blue Sky 3000i controller to replace the RV-30S.  Before replacing equipment,  I would like to be sure that the equipment I have is really a problem.  I.E., are my house batteries being "cooked"?
 We bought our LD used a little over a year ago.  In general, it was in excellent condition and we have had no issues with the  batteries that are two years old.  Why would LD install a controller that will not prevent overcharging the batteries?
 I would appreciate knowledgable follow up comments that might help me address my concerns.

Jim, NC
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147905
If you remove the unit from the wall, you will notice a four position DIP switch on the back. This DIP switch allows you to set eight different state of charge voltages. If you would like to reduce the voltage to 13.2, all four switches should be set to the OFF position. A voltage of 13.2 will not cook your batteries.

Kevin
Kevin Lindsay
2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB
Re: Maximum Voltage Input into House Batteries.
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147906
"I am concerned that The house batteries in our 04, 26.5, MB may be in the process of being 'cooked'. In the past the RV-30S controller has typically indicated 12-12.8 volts in sunny conditions. For the past several days in bright sun in the Ca. Central Valley, the reading has been 14 volts."

Trojan, who manufactured your batteries, recommends a bulk (main) charging voltage of 14.8 volts and a float (trickle) charging voltage of 13.2 volts. (See chart here.) Based on your readings, your batteries aren't being cooked. Quite the opposite: they aren't even being fully charged. It's time to replace the old RV-30S.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"