‘Cooked’ Leisure Battery on Solar

[Toby2518]

after some advice please - I have 100 watt solar panel feeding engine and leisure batteries however the leisure is 8.9 v with signs of fluid loss So needs replacing. My question is whether it is safe to disconnect the leisure battery terminals leaving the solar to maintain the engine battery? Complication is that I leave on holiday so this would be for two weeks before I can obtain and fit new leisure battery? Thanks in advance

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Cover the panel with a sheet of cardboard, a rug, an old panel anything to stop it producing.

 

[MisterB]

I think as a safety precaution you should be removing your leaking battery as soon as possible.

I'm also trying to think of reasons why you need to disconnect the vehicle battery from its solar charge, but can't think of any. Hopefully others with more technical knowledge will be along to offer their better qualified advice.

If you remove your leisure battery but keep the solar working, I would make sure that the terminals to the battery are insulated from each other and that the positive cannot come into contact with anything that may 'ground' it.

If you are going to cover your solar panel, don't forget to make the cover wind proof!

 

[funflair]

I am not convinced that the solar regulator will carry on producing once you disconnect it from the leisure battery, so no it won't maintain the starter battery, you could of course disconnect the leisure battery and then connect the starter battery to the solar regulators main terminals as if it was the leisure battery.

 

[Cush]

Is your solar controller a “duo” with independent feeds to hab and cab? Or is the cab battery maintained by a link from hab to cab, if that makes sense? Duo controller probably maintain cab battery. Not if it receives charge via a link from the leisures / hab and the leisure has been removed.

These would be my thoughts but the health warning is I’m no expert.

Cush

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[Jimbohorlicks]

If your solar controller is a dual controller and feeding the leisure battery and starter battery , I would disconnect the solar input first. Then remove the faulty leisure battery and then switch the battery connections from the controller so that battery 1 terminal is connected to the starter battery ,and battery 2 terminal disconnected.
Then reconnect the solar to the controller.
This will allow a charge to your starter batteryvwhilst you are away.

 

[Toby2518]

Further to the above and thanks for your replies I have fallen to getting in an auto electrician, trouble is that this will be in 10 -14 days. Not knowing the exact problem I am not sure how to leave the van during this time?
1. Should I disconnect engine and leisure batteries and isolate the terminals whilst away?
2 Should I disconnect both wires incoming from the panel to the regulator or will it be safe to leave in place and idling with nowhere for the power to go? I had though to detach them and park them into a 30 amp terminal block whilst away, would that be better?

The van was bought new in France and solar panel fitted there. I have no chance of making sense of the relevant wiring.

once again thanks in anticipation of any help, regards Kevin

 

[Jev88]

Is it a Victron controller? Turn it OFF in the app?

 

[Toby2518]

Is it a Victron controller? Turn it OFF in the app?

No, the make is Antarion and sadly cannot see any other markings on the outside. Think I will be discussing a new replacement with the electrician.

 

[autorouter]

If it's Antarion and there are no other markings on it then it's probably the PWM type. The MPPT type is better, and has 'MPPT' in prominent letters on the front. Both types are much the same in strong sunlight, but the MPPT is better in low light and cloudy conditions.

I can't see any problems with leaving it as it is, but to be 100% sure you could disconnect the wires from the panel at the solar controller, and tape them to insulate them. If the panel is not connected it doesn't generate any power. Oh, and take a photo before you disconnect anything, for future reference.

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