Batteries

2trout · Senior Member

Batteries

landy · Guru

Interesting Trevor I wonder if we will get any other opinions on that. I will watch with interest.
Landy

blaze · Guru

I do much the same, turn a few led lights on for a few days, sometimes a week, then back on the charger
cheers
blaze

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I don't think so.
Cheers,
Peter

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

I have heard the opposite, leave smart charger on all the time to do it's own thing. All 12v power in the van off.

What is correct ?

Barry

Old and Grey · Senior Member

Hi 2trout,

We leave our van plugged into the mains. The fridge is set to No1. Keeps the seals from drying out. smile The van is fitted with a C-tec smart charger. Im in and out of the van every week. Turn the all Led lights on while on board. Check the battery voltage while there. Battery is in its fifth year.

The van is housed in the cave, out of sight, out of mind.

Grey

markf · Senior Member

We use a Victron charger which has a storage end stage. The storage stage kicks in after the battery has not been subject to discharge for 24 hours and reduces the charging voltage to 2.2V/cell (13.2 volts for a 6 cell AGM).

Buried somewhere deep in the data sheets from FullRiver is that their batteries shouldn't be held above 2.3V/cell for extended periods and suggests for long term storage it should be held at 2.15V to 2.2V. I wish I could quickly find the relevant data sheet though - I know I have it somewhere.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Batteries "wear out" by being used.
LA also deteriorate if left partly charged for long periods.
AGMs have low self discharge characteristics so can be left untouched with no loads and no charging for at least 6 months. Make VERY sure that there are NO loads by disconnecting the battery.
If left on charge for long periods (over 6 months) it makes sense to reduce the float voltage or minimise the charge current to mAs so that the electrolyte is not boiled off. This is particularly relevant to AGMs where the electrolyte can not be replaced like it can with some wet cells.
There is no logic at all that I can see to the practice of deliberately applying a load followed by recharging. EDIT: I don't think it will do a lot of harm, but it certainly won't help.
Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Friday 7th of August 2020 12:39:07 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its all up to the quality of the regulator I connect mine to 240v every month or so or when theres cloudy days . The solar regulator seems to keep them healthy, as in
NOT overcharging !

2trout · Senior Member

Thanks for your views team. I have followed Mick's advice as he is an electrician of 40 years standing and also owns a caravan. I believe that he knows what he is talking about. Anyhow, it's up to the individual. Just thought I would share Mick's views. It may be of use to somebody.

Keep healthy and look forward to the end of all this t some stage.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

My Century AGM battery, is not giving me the same life as the Gel before it, so even though it is not connected to anything when in storage, it still goes down, so has to be charged monthly. My gel before that, lasted 7 years, and I did not charge it between, long breaks. It just stayed where it was. Probably will go back to a ritar gel again. I have a battery, A lion Gel battery, that is attached to a 5 watt solar panel, that is 15 years old, still sitting on 12.7 volts, and runs the 2.5 km back fence, to keep the cattle from braking thru on an old ricketly fence. I don't think you can get them anymore, should put it in the van, BUT, then would not have a reliable battery out back for that job.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I assume you mean electric fence ? For cattle ? Sure can buy them . https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303548074003

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 9th of August 2020 11:59:31 AM

Monica W · Veteran Member

2trout wrote:
Thanks for your views team. I have followed Mick's advice as he is an electrician of 40 years standing and also owns a caravan. I believe that he knows what he is talking about. Anyhow, it's up to the individual. Just thought I would share Mick's views. It may be of use to somebody.

Keep healthy and look forward to the end of all this t some stage.

Mick's advice as an electrician is wrong and Mick doesn't know what he is talking about. Mick is a battery dummy.
Discharging a battery uses up battery life. Leaving an AC charger connected harms positive plates. Maximum battery longevity will be achieved with a solar panel and temperature compensated regulator. AGM should be maintained fully charged at all times. AGM have quite a high self discharge rate compared to calcium batteries. Leaving AGM batteries not fully charged results in sulphation.

Monica W · Veteran Member

Old and Grey wrote:
Hi 2trout,
We leave our van plugged into the mains. The fridge is set to No1. Keeps the seals from drying out. The van is fitted with a C-tec smart charger. Im in and out of the van every week. Turn the all Led lights on while on board. Check the battery voltage while there. Battery is in its fifth year.
The van is housed in the cave, out of sight, out of mind.
Grey

Now I have heard everything leaving the fridge running to prevent the seals drying out. Where do you get these myths from ?
Refrigeration is in fact a drying agent and will do nothing to maintain the seals. Best way to maintain the seals is to leave the fridge door ajar when not in use.

blaze · Guru

I reckon he is talking about seals in the compressor and because the oil isnt circulating the seals do get dry and leak, calling kettle black comes to mind
cheers
blaze

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Modern compressors are not called "sealed units" for nothing. biggrin

There are no seals.

Cheers,

Peter

Tony LEE · Guru

Funny how electricians are regarded by some as being an expert on anything remotely connected to anything electrical. Same deal with electrical engineers regardless of experience or speciality and any technician no matter how esoteric his field is. Back in the engineering lab at Adelaide University 50 years ago was a poster picturing a stereotypical dork saying " six muns ago I cuddent even spel injuneer. Now I is one". Regardless of how that applied to me, I know very well how, when I built the BigBus 40 years later, I quickly realised exactly how widely my ignorance in all things RV - related actually spread.

2trout · Senior Member

Well Tony, you could be right. But, I find it a bit ironical that we ask other caravaners, some with no background knowledge at all, questions and opinions about all sorts of technical issues. You may care to read my post. I do not remember referring to this electrician as an "expert". I think that I said that he has is an electrician of 40 years and owns a caravan. I concluded that his thoughts were worth listening to but, of course, I could be wrong!

I refer to my previous comments:-

"...it's up to the individual. I just thought that I would share Mick's view".

Mate, take or leave the advice; it's up to you.

-- Edited by 2trout on Sunday 16th of August 2020 07:02:30 PM

jegog · Senior Member

60 years ago as a PMG Tech in training I saw telephone exchange batteries that had been operating on trickle charge for over 50 years. Just be sure that the charge rate is correct.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I have worked on live electricity since 1980. In the DC world its a little different in that things have changed over the years . Yes what I do and what is convenient for me may not suit others or what works . Funny the same goes for my pool in back yard . I dont exactly follow the chlorine rules . But as my pool chemical supplier says its working ? Dont change !! Being an electrician may not make him an expert in DC . However you where posting what HE does ! If it works for him ? Great !!

oldtrack123 · Guru

blaze wrote:
I reckon he is talking about seals in the compressor and because the oil isnt circulating the seals do get dry and leak, calling kettle black comes to mind
cheers
blaze

Ditto biggrin