Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-17-2021, 06:49 AM   #1
Almost There
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Raleigh nc
Posts: 86
Best solar batteries???

Hello fellow skoolers… I’ve been living out of my conversion for about 4 years and out of nowhere my batteries started not getting fully charged, and as soon as I put load on the they shot down super quick. I have two hundred watt panels with two 6volt Trojan t105’s and a wanderer charge controller. I’m guessing it is the batteries not the charge controller because when I put the load tester on it reads bad. The Trojans have done me well for 4 years, but they are pretty expensive. Does anybody have some favorite lead acid 6 volts they use?

Lherrlinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 07:55 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH @12V pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club.

NAPA relabels it here: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP8144 Deka self-labeled also sold at Lowes.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 08:04 AM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Make sure for better longevity

charge to 100% Full most cycles, 2-3 times a week minimum, at 12V:

Absorption Voltage = (14.4V -) 14.7V better

Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A

Max Absorption Time = 12 Hours

Float Voltage = 13.4V - 13.6V if long periods, 13.8V - 14.1V for say just a day

Equalization = 15.0V to 15.3V

Equalization End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A

Max Equalization Time = 12 Hours

Temp Compensation = -.018V for every degree °C rise above 25C
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 08:05 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Make sure for better longevity, going below 40-50% SoC is a rare occurrence occasional emergencies.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 08:07 AM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct View Post
Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A
Or just stop when current drops to 0.05C, or 1A per 12V pair
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 12:57 PM   #6
Almost There
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Raleigh nc
Posts: 86
Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct View Post
Make sure for better longevity

charge to 100% Full most cycles, 2-3 times a week minimum, at 12V:

Absorption Voltage = (14.4V -) 14.7V better

Absorption End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A

Max Absorption Time = 12 Hours

Float Voltage = 13.4V - 13.6V if long periods, 13.8V - 14.1V for say just a day

Equalization = 15.0V to 15.3V

Equalization End Point = Current change over 1 hour period of less than 0.1A

Max Equalization Time = 12 Hours

Temp Compensation = -.018V for every degree °C rise above 25C
So I have the renogy wanderer charge controller and it is “supposed” to do all these things by itself I’ve gotten 4 years out of them…. I wish it were more but what can I say. Any idea the power of those duracel batteries vs the t105’s? As well as size? I think my t105s were around 200 a pop as well
Lherrlinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2021, 03:01 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
Google for the Deka/ Duracell sizes

black one is the GC2 - 215AH Deka Pro-Master GC10,

gray one is the EGC2 - 230AH called the GC15,

a 235AH is the GC25

Deka delivers a quality battery, especially for lead, and for the price. But if you can get T-105s locally for within say 15% of the per-Ah price, go for that.

Other top notch true deep cycling FLA makers besides EPM and Trojan include U.S. Battery, Crown and Superior.

Rolls/Surette is in another league and priced accordingly.


_______
Renogy is not great, they just market relabeled low-ball cheap chinese.

They used to have great CS attitude, now not so much.

But never fully trust any charge source, even with an $800 charger, always verify periodically at the bank posts with your own separate known-good DMM and ammeter.
john61ct is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
batteries, help me, power, solar, trojan

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.