Struggling to charge more than 80% with Solar?

[Wh05apk]

We are still in the uk, getting ready to head south next week, but just noticed that we are struggling to get to more than low 80's currently on Solar (246AH Gel & 470w of solar) as it then switches to "float" on a very low trickle charge, previously not had a problem getting to 100%

I assume this is normal, with the low sun taking longer to work through the bulk and absorption stages, and then only a couple of hours once it gets to float, which is not long enough to fully charge?

 

[Lenny HB]

Gels need at least 4 hours preferably longer on absorbtion phase to get fully charged, difficult to achieve outside summer months in the UK.
What solar regulator/controller do you have.?

 

[Wh05apk]

Victron Mppt 100/30

 

[Lenny HB]

I think the default on Gel is 4 hr absorbtion maybe it's gone faulty, maybe worth checking the setings.

 

[Wh05apk]

I think the default on Gel is 4 hr absorbtion maybe it's gone faulty, maybe worth checking the setings.

Thank Lenny, I would have no idea about this I have left it on the default setting for gel, but by changing to user defined it provides more info, is there anything here worth changing, or leave it till we get to sunnier climes and see how it goes?

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[Ditcha]

Thank Lenny, I would have no idea about this I have left it on the default setting for gel, but by changing to user defined it provides more info, is there anything here worth changing, or leave it till we get to sunnier climes and see how it goes?
View attachment 682221

You should set it to the pre set for Gels you have adaptive set and absorption at 6h try the preset it should work fine

 

[Ditcha]

Select Gel deep discharge (1)

 

[Wh05apk]

You should set it to the pre set for Gels you have adaptive set and absorption at 6h try the preset it should work fine

By default it is set to position 2, as below which has adaptive and 6hr by default I think the only way to chnage this is to switch to user defined?

What benefit would reducing from 6 to 4 hours have, wouldn't that then go into float sooner?

 

[Ditcha]

Don't use the rotary switch use the battery pre sets

 

[Wh05apk]

Don't use the rotary switch use the battery pre sets

I have switched to preset 1, rather than 2, I think the settings are the same as the rotary (but easier to change)

Will see if that works, thanks for your help.

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[Ditcha]

It should stay in Bulk untill the battery hits 14.3v then absorption for 6hrs according to the preset then float at 13.8v, you might not reach it in a days cycle but you should see a gradual increase in capacity each day as long as your not using more than you are putting in.

 

[Wh05apk]

It should stay in Bulk untill the battery hits 14.3v then absorption for 6hrs according to the preset then float at 13.8v, you might not reach it in a days cycle but you should see a gradual increase in capacity each day as long as your not using more than you are putting in.

Currently apart from about 0.4a draw, we are not using it, it just seems to get to about 80% then goes into slow mode, currently on 13.72v and float, so never seems to get a chance at the moment with the low sun?

 

[Ditcha]

Currently apart from about 0.4a draw, we are not using it, it just seems to get to about 80% then goes into slow mode, currently on 13.72v and float, so never seems to get a chance at the moment with the low sun?

How do you know it's at 80% ? 13.72v is full according to the float voltage

 

[Wh05apk]

How do you know it's at 80% ? 13.72v is full according to the float voltage

I am taking the reading off the display in the van, currently at 82%, I do wonder if it has just "glitched" and showing 82% when actually it is full, as I can't believe with 470w of solar and a parked van even with the low sun we can't get to 100%

 

[Ditcha]

I am taking the reading off the display in the van, currently at 82%, I do wonder if it has just "glitched" and showing 82% when actually it is full, as I can't believe with 470w of solar and a parked van even with the low sun we can't get to 100%

You could try plugging in and using your charger and see if it puts anymore in ?

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[Wh05apk]

You could try plugging in and using your charger and see if it puts anymore in ?

I will do that.

Just twigged, we were next to you at Wyre Piddle at Easter!

 

[bigtwin]

How much current are the batteries accepting?

If the tail current is down to circa 2% then you can consider the batteries fully charged. At that point you need to perform a synchronisation to reset the SoC to 100%.

Ian

 

[Wh05apk]

It goes down to about 1a, do I think we must be full. Will try on ehu, otherwise no idea how to synchronise the soc, manuals are French translations on line....

 

[bigtwin]

If the suns shining and it’s only accepting 1A from 470W solar then i’d say it’d be fair to assume that they’re fully charged and the issue is that your SoC indication is out.

Ian

 

[Wh05apk]

Just tried ehu, still only taking 0.3a now, so assume fully charged.
Apart from being annoying presumably the soc being wrong won't affect anything?

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[bigtwin]

Just tried ehu, still only taking 0.3a now, so assume fully charged.
Apart from being annoying presumably the soc being wrong won't affect anything?

No, it’s there only to mislead you.

However, if you can google the synchronisation instructions it‘d be worthwhile then it’ll mislead you only a little bit.

Ian

 

[Ditcha]

Just tried ehu, still only taking 0.3a now, so assume fully charged.
Apart from being annoying presumably the soc being wrong won't affect anything?

Spend some of that retirement fund and invest in a smartshunt I never use the soc on the van control panel.

 

[Wh05apk]

Spend some of that retirement fund and invest in a smartshunt I never use the soc on the van control panel.

I probably will, but the "guessometer" has always been good enough.