Where do I start, our van has two big batteries for breakaway system and battery power for out bush! My problem is,the van has been in storage for nearly a month with no power, now we have no lights,( but power to the appliances from the 240volts at the park) the battery charger is on, it has a red light but it has not turned over to bulk charge! We have no idea if the batteries are stuffed or not!
The system is called ProStar photovoltaic system controller
Any help or advice would be great thanks in advance.
Aus-Kiwi said
08:46 PM Sep 15, 2018
How old are the batteries ? Is there voltage at batteries ?
herks said
09:21 PM Sep 15, 2018
A great deal of the newer electronic multistage chargers will not charge a totally flat battery because there is no plate voltage for the internals of the charger to register. If you have an older style "dumb" battery charger then stick it across each battery for about an hour and then reconnect your ProStar.
Alternatively you could use a set of jumper leads off your car battery (with the motor at a fast idle) to achieve the same result.
Or remove the batteries and take them to a battery centre.
Warren-Pat_01 said
10:32 PM Sep 15, 2018
Bushbaby,
Do you or a friend have access to a volt meter (multimeter).
I wouldn't have thought providing nothing was left switched on while the van was in storage that it should have gone completely flat even for a month.
As A-Kiwi asked - how old are the batteries? You say you have "two big batteries for breakaway system and battery power for out bush". The break-away system should have a small 12v battery, most power is supplied by one or more 100aH batteries. It is possible for one "dud" battery to drag its mate down.
Ensure nothing is turned on (including the battery charger) & measure the battery volts with a meter. It (they) should read more than 12v. I have seen batteries with a lot less & with the exception of one that read zero volts & I was able to resurrect it, the rest became boat anchors! If you have voltage at the battery terminals, the next search is for a blown fuse.
Let us know your findings.
swamp said
06:58 AM Sep 16, 2018
Hi
2 items that prevent battery draining when using or storing van .
A low volt disconnect in the pos cable
A batt isolator on/off in the neg batt cable
Bill B said
09:52 AM Sep 16, 2018
Bushbaby wrote: The system is called ProStar photovoltaic system controller
Any help or advice would be great thanks in advance.
I think you will find that the Prostar you mention is a solar regulator not a 240v battery charger.
Bushbaby said
01:48 PM Sep 16, 2018
Thanks everyone, still working on it, will post results soon!
PeterD said
09:34 AM Sep 17, 2018
Bill B wrote:
Bushbaby wrote: The system is called ProStar photovoltaic system controller
Any help or advice would be great thanks in advance.
I think you will find that the Prostar you mention is a solar regulator not a 240v battery charger.
What is the size of the solar panels on the roof? With those "two big batteries" it will take quite a while to get any sort of charge back into the batteries. Flat batteies(if they are not already stuffed) do take a fair bit to start to take a charge.
Most systems will have a mains powered battery charger. Search around for one of those boxes that is or should be plugged into a power point. Make sure it is properly plugged in and switched on. To assist us a little more read all the bits on the ProStar and tell us exactly what it is particularly the type number. We can then tell you where to download a handbook for it. Look around the van, find any other device you are not sure of, tell us what is peinted on it or supply a photo. We may be able to identify it and assist you finding details about the device(s.)
Bushbaby said
09:47 AM Sep 20, 2018
Hi everyone thanks for your input but our battery problem is solved! We had to put new batteries and a new charger in. The batteries went flat when the van was in storage because there was no power! Its all good now!
Where do I start, our van has two big batteries for breakaway system and battery power for out bush! My problem is,the van has been in storage for nearly a month with no power, now we have no lights,( but power to the appliances from the 240volts at the park) the battery charger is on, it has a red light but it has not turned over to bulk charge! We have no idea if the batteries are stuffed or not!
The system is called ProStar photovoltaic system controller
Any help or advice would be great thanks in advance.
Alternatively you could use a set of jumper leads off your car battery (with the motor at a fast idle) to achieve the same result.
Or remove the batteries and take them to a battery centre.
Do you or a friend have access to a volt meter (multimeter).
I wouldn't have thought providing nothing was left switched on while the van was in storage that it should have gone completely flat even for a month.
As A-Kiwi asked - how old are the batteries? You say you have "two big batteries for breakaway system and battery power for out bush". The break-away system should have a small 12v battery, most power is supplied by one or more 100aH batteries. It is possible for one "dud" battery to drag its mate down.
Ensure nothing is turned on (including the battery charger) & measure the battery volts with a meter. It (they) should read more than 12v. I have seen batteries with a lot less & with the exception of one that read zero volts & I was able to resurrect it, the rest became boat anchors! If you have voltage at the battery terminals, the next search is for a blown fuse.
Let us know your findings.
2 items that prevent battery draining when using or storing van .
A low volt disconnect in the pos cable
A batt isolator on/off in the neg batt cable
I think you will find that the Prostar you mention is a solar regulator not a 240v battery charger.
What is the size of the solar panels on the roof? With those "two big batteries" it will take quite a while to get any sort of charge back into the batteries. Flat batteies(if they are not already stuffed) do take a fair bit to start to take a charge.
Most systems will have a mains powered battery charger. Search around for one of those boxes that is or should be plugged into a power point. Make sure it is properly plugged in and switched on. To assist us a little more read all the bits on the ProStar and tell us exactly what it is particularly the type number. We can then tell you where to download a handbook for it. Look around the van, find any other device you are not sure of, tell us what is peinted on it or supply a photo. We may be able to identify it and assist you finding details about the device(s.)