Den Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 we have a new MH with a solar panel fitted.i replaced the 1 x 110 ah battery with 2 x 110 ah batteries. When I picked the MH up the digital meter read 12.5 v. I then connected the MH to the mains and left it for 3 days and it reached 14 v. Disconnected it Saturday and this afternoon the meter reads 12.9 with no load and loads of sun. Can't tell if the solar panel is charging, it's very basic. Any ideas Den Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 A simple basic test would be to load the battery overnight (say, hab lights on). This should discharge the leisure battery to a lower voltage. Then see if the voltage rises when the solar panel is active during the day. The current reading of 12.9 volts would indicate a fully charged battery. Perhaps others may be able to provide more definitive advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thanks for that idea. My brother thought 12.5 was flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna miller Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Each cell on a 12volt battery is actually 2.2 volts so potentially full charge is 13.2v. But 12.9v is a good healthy voltage, just keep an eye on it over a couple of days to monitor voltage drop, it should only be minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 According to the Roadpro/Tech tips website the following voltage/state of charge is advised: 12.7 volt - 100% 12.5 volt - 90% 12.42 volt - 80% 12.32 volt - 70% 12.2 volt - 60% 12.06 volt - 50% This a rough guide and could depend on what type of battery you have installed. My AGM battery tends to show 12.9 volts when fully charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thank you both, I'll monitor it over the following week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 It depends also on what your regulator allows as the cut off charge, there will be a fuse [should be a fuse ]between the regulator and the battery connection, pull this fuse out and put a voltage tester in the line and you will soon see if there is a charge.ie Solar panel working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Whilst 12.9v is a fully charged battery, in my experience, in full sun during day 13.5v + would normally be seen with a solar set up. It may be as above that your regulator is set to 12.9v, but I've never seen one set that low. Can you test the input voltage to the regulator from the panel? It's normally possible to put a meter across the input terminals, it should be up around 18v in the conditions you have described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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