leisure recharge, alternator vs genny vs solar vs theft

[itchyfeet]

Agreed
but campsites are perhaps different from boatyards

Re the fridge beer stolen by kids would be my concern
in my travels in asia fridges are regularly outside and fitted with a padlock

[nicq]

In 30 years of camping the only thing we have ever had stolen was food by animals when we did not put it in containers.

[CovKid]

Depends where you camp I think. North of Stafford can be dicey. Had a friend lose his wheels on a camp site up there. Not much fun if you've got kids with you.

[itchyfeet]

Toured Scotland and no problems so I'd say anywhare close to a big city is a risk.

[keith]

I had a mate who had his van painted whilst asleep.....apparently some nut job with a roller and video camera..

Just north of Coventry i think....

tried to steal his solar panel too..

[CovKid]

Can anyone smell anything?

[keith]

Only wet paint.

[itchyfeet]

Solar charger is flashing battery full, batt voltage smidge over 14v

Is it ok to leave it all day like this or should I unplug?

[keith]

No need to unplug.....thats the job of the controller.

[CJH]

14V is around the level that your alternator would be providing via a split charge relay, but is a smidge over the recommended float charge voltage (13.6V). According to the the Battery University though, you only need to worry if it's going to stay at that voltage for more than 48 hours. Good luck finding a campsite that provides 48 hours continuous strong sun.

The Powerstream website has a table of gassing voltages for different temperatures. If your battery was in the sun and above 30 degrees C, then 14V might be a bit on the high side, so watch out if you're in a really hot place.

Did you notice whether your charge controller provided any more than 14V before it started indicating that the battery was full?

[California Dreamin]

Yup mine flashes at 99% with a float voltage of 13.9, however, the important thing is the amperage, which whilst in this floating state pulses between zero and 0.5/0.7 amps
Turn on a few things and the voltage remains the same but the amps shoot up to a continuous 4 plus amps (45 degree full sun on the panel)

Volts is 'pressure' and amps is 'amount or quantity' .. the latter being much more relevant in the case of 'float'.

A pulsing 0.7 amp at 13.9 volts acting on my 190amp bank (110 + 80ah batteries) is just keeping things ticking over 'floating'. Although that would be a little more significant if you were using just one low amp starter battery.

Martin

[itchyfeet]

Thanks
no ammeter on this one (yet) will keep an eye on voltage see if it's ever much above 14V
if its pwm does that mean I need an rms ammeter?

Might have to get the scope and current probe home from work to see whats going on

[itchyfeet]

Gloomy weather it's not looking good for the Solar argument
May need to start the engine and start looking at gennys again if the sun doesn't come out soon.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Why? - you don't need direct sun. Daylight suffices with most modern panels.

[itchyfeet]

Yeh it's charging but cloudy rainy skies means poor charge, wet and cold means propex is needed so batt level droping daily.