Cheers all for the feedback. I have just recently had a better encounter with a more experienced auto elec in Coffs: Michael Walker. Short story: I wrongly thought that whilst driving that my LC200 would send power through the 12pin plug and charge the van. I have a Waeco 175l fridge in the van and my 40l Engel drawing about 10amps combined day/night abd it was actually only the solar (providing 10amps when sunny) that was charging the battery. Apparently i would need a BCDC charger in the LC200 (Boots in Action mentioned this). I will call the battery place to see if they still have my 200ah battery as there was nothing wrong with it. Highly recommend Michael. Will attach his card.
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Hi Lonski, just new to the site but your issue seems like something along the same lines as mine atm.
Got 2014 Jayco Starcraft OB. So been camped up 2 months on 240V then left yesterday and 12V 100amp battery is sending the low voltage alarm off on the solar controller in about half an hour. So pulled the battery out from under the bed today and it is looking decidedly swollen to the point it frightens. The reading from the multimeter was 12.9V. I'm thinking overcharging issues.
Like you, I'm not keen on getting a new battery fitted until I know for sure there is not something else going on to damage the replacement battery- not cheap, you know.
How'd you end up? Was it Setec, solar controller or 2 dud batteries?
Got 2014 Jayco Starcraft OB. So been camped up 2 months on 240V then left yesterday and 12V 100amp battery is sending the low voltage alarm off on the solar controller in about half an hour. So pulled the battery out from under the bed today and it is looking decidedly swollen to the point it frightens. The reading from the multimeter was 12.9V. I'm thinking overcharging issues.
Like you, I'm not keen on getting a new battery fitted until I know for sure there is not something else going on to damage the replacement battery- not cheap, you know.
How'd you end up? Was it Setec, solar controller or 2 dud batteries?
Hi @Anywhere&Everywhere , battery overcharging is usually caused by the wrong VOLTAGE setting for that particular type (chemical) battery. If it is a GEL battery, they need careful looking after. No high charge rates and max of 14.2 volts as terminal charging voltage, before dropping back through "absorbe" stage to FLOAT of no more than 13.8 volts. And those figures are at 25C too. I doubt it would be the Setec as your problem as it is programmed to charge to 14.1 volts only and float is well within the correct range too.
What sort of solar controller do you have and does it have a setting for different battery types or at least a battery max charge setting that is adjustable?? If just lights, then you would need to have a look at the specs of the controller. Many a good battery has been ruined by neglecting to have the correct setting made for the battery you are using.
If you are going to have to replace the battery, strongly suggest that you go for a quality AGM. They are cheaper, easily available and much more robust. Have a good read of the following site to help you.
https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/gel-vs-agm.html
There are lots of posts on this forum to help you understand the battery/charging/solar setups.
Hi Boots, it's a Top Ray Solar TPS1230 Controller by Camec. Pretty standard for Jaycos.
Had new Neutron 120ah battery in about a week now- 2 x 120 watt panels charging at around 8.5amps in full sun. The max voltage is peaking around 14.5- hanging around 13.5/4 with 40l weaco running. Not sure about adjusting the charge range on the controller but will search the make and model.
Thanks
Hi there @Anywhere&Everywhere, glad to see that you have an AGM battery with 120ah capacity. I had a look on Ebay and it says that the solar controller you have (Top Ray 1230) is a 30 amp PWM type with display screen and "selectable voltage and current readout". I do not know if this means selecting either volts or current READOUT or if voltage is user adjustable?? In any case, 14.5 volts is pretty much in the middle of the normal range for max charging voltage for AGM type batteries (14.2 to 14.7 volts at 25C). This would have been too high for a Gel battery if charged constantly at this higher voltage which can cause problems with Gel type. For your information, here is a colour chart of depth of discharge and power remaining when AGM battery at rest - no load and at least 2 hours after charging has been completed. Unfortunately, the Setec charger in the Jayco vans does not really FULLY charge an AGM battery when it only goes to 14.1 volts.
