Disconnected solar panel.

sydnsue

sydnsue

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I am about to remove 2 leisure batteries for overwintering on a smart charger. I also have a 120W solar panel. Is it ok to just remove the batteries or do I need to do anything with the solar charger?
 
I'd just leave them connected if they get any sun they will assist the charger.
 
Thanks everyone. I phoned the co8that installed the solar and they said to just remove both batteries. The solar panel is fine even if there is nothing connected.
I am removing the batteries because the solar panel does not keep them at optimum charge through the winter or at least, that's what I've been reading. I shall keep them on a smart charger in a warm workshop.
 
If the panels are getting full sun IE not in shadow, unless you have a high load on them that will probably keep them topped up, I would leave them as is for few weeks, see what sort of drain you are getting, then consider if you need to do anything at all.
 
200w solar here is keeping my batts up, yes disconnect the pos wire or if a fuse pull it before removing batts, does you van not have a smart charger or are you not close to a powerpoint, I have never had to remove batts but plug in on dark overcast days over xmas.
 
trevskoda said:
200w solar here is keeping my batts up, yes disconnect the pos wire or if a fuse pull it before removing batts, does you van not have a smart charger or are you not close to a powerpoint, I have never had to remove batts but plug in on dark overcast days over xmas.
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I am on the drive for 240V but all I read states the van charger and the solar are not as good as a smart charger.
 
sydnsue said:
I am on the drive for 240V but all I read states the van charger and the solar are not as good as a smart charger.
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I would agree with that if I was starting with a flat battery, but if the solar controller is a MPPT type they are pretty good it is of course what they were designed to do unlike most vans onboard chargers which are getting better but still fitted based on price, when I built my van I fitted a smart charger but I never turned it on except to test it, I had 2 x 110ah leisure batteries and the 100w solar panel kept them nicely topped up and also the starter battery via a fused link wire, I'm up in not so sunny West Yorkshire
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I would agree with that if I was starting with a flat battery, but if the solar controller is a MPPT type they are pretty good it is of course what they were designed to do unlike most vans onboard chargers which are getting better but still fitted based on price, when I built my van I fitted a smart charger but I never turned it on except to test it, I had 2 x 110ah leisure batteries and the 100w solar panel kept them nicely topped up and also the starter battery via a fused link wire, I'm up in not so sunny West Yorkshire
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pudsey why not fit a switch and relay and use battery cable to join up, good point is you can use the switch/relay sys to jump start the van should the starter battery go low, my van is as so and very handy it is, on for driving and of when camping so not to discharge the starter batt.
 
trevskoda said:
pudsey why not fit a switch and relay and use battery cable to join up, good point is you can use the switch/relay sys to jump start the van should the starter battery go low, my van is as so and very handy it is, on for driving and of when camping so not to discharge the starter batt.
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Over complicated.
 
Thanks for everyone's advice but the facts have now changed. The twin batteries are suspect. Just tested them by running a headlight bulb after a full charge with a smart charger.
Battery 1.
Start voltage 13.06V.
12.05V after 5.5 hours.

Battery 2.
Start voltage 13.26V.
12.0V after 5.5 hours.

Would you agree these batteries are knackered? If the bulb is drawing 5A and the battery is 110AH, I reckon it should take 10 hours to reach 12V. Or am I doing something wrong?
 
sydnsue said:
Thanks for everyone's advice but the facts have now changed. The twin batteries are suspect. Just tested them by running a headlight bulb after a full charge with a smart charger.
Battery 1.
Start voltage 13.06V.
12.05V after 5.5 hours.

Battery 2.
Start voltage 13.26V.
12.0V after 5.5 hours.

Would you agree these batteries are knackered? If the bulb is drawing 5A and the battery is 110AH, I reckon it should take 10 hours to reach 12V. Or am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...

Did you disconnect the load, wait an hour and measure the voltage?
 
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