I think they’re just fleabays finest Chinese, aka probably starters branded as leisure. 130amp times two.
Panels don’t seem to produce much
- Thread starter Tiagoo
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Solar Wizard
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No, they are not ruined.
As I suspected, it's cloudy, raining and your panels are flat mounted.
You need more panels under those conditions.
I would also recommend swapping to lithium batteries but a couple more panels and expensive lithium may not be in the budget.
Absolutely love those canal boats! You're a lucky man!
mikefitz
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The voltage readings show the battery volts way below 10.5 volts, that's a very discharged unhappy battery.
This treatment is likely to have damaged the battery.
What battery type do you have, most of batteries sold for RV and boating are not suitable for daily cycling?
Solarcabin Channel
Solar Addict
That doesn't appear to be a true deep cycle battery and either a starter battery or maybe a marine trolling battery?
A starter battery will be killed fast with any deep cycling and it eats up the lead plates and can damage them even in 6 months.
I would suggest better batteries if they are not holding a charge and get true deep cycle not marine deep cycle.
Haha thank you. We do love the lifestyle. It comes with its own issues but it’s nice to wake up and see the ducks swimming about…
Would tilting the panels make that huge a difference? I can build the stands and tilt them but if it’s to increase 10 or 20% doesn’t seem ideal.
Also lithium apart from expensive, the boat can get pretty cold where the batteries are stored, and I’m just thinking they might not like it..
How do I know I’m getting true deep cycle?
mikefitz
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In the UK you will have to pay over £300 for a deep cycle leisure 100Ah lead battery. The best option is a Fogstar lithium battery,
Lithium Leisure Battery - Fogstar Drift 12v 280Ah
280ah 12v Fogstar Drift Lithium Leisure Battery | Grade A LiFePO4 cells, JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.
www.fogstar.co.uk
Solarcabin Channel
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Most are known by their brand name and it won't say marine cranking deep cycle.
Trojan, Vmax, Sok etc.
You might consider the LFP Lithium Iron Phosphate for a replacement as half the weight and twice the capacity and cycles.
littleharbor2
Solar Addict
You'll need a BMS if you build your own from cells. Your charge controller can be set to the right charging settings.
So it would work out even more expensive then..?
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Solar Wizard
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1) Your batteries are not ruined. Give them a good charge with shore or generator power and pencil some lithium replacements into the budget. If your batteries won't charge off shore or gen, only then will you know if they are bad. At 6 months old, I guarantee they are fine.
2) Tilting can help but when its cloudy and raining, you don't really have any direct sunlight to tilt to so I wouldn't worry about that right now. If the sun pops out, tilting them will make a huge difference but when you're down in the shadowed canal and it's overcast and raining etc, I would get more panels first.
You would need a dedicated BMS to manage the cells.
This might help to get an idea on DIY LifePO4 battery;
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Solarcabin Channel
Solar Addict
Making your own batteries from cells is not for inexperienced people.
They make ready to use drop in Lifepo4 batteries that are deep cycle and weigh less and have more cycles and capacity.
I don't know what you can get there on Amazon but look at Li Time, Enjoybot or many other brands.
No they're about £80, maybe more if you want a good one
Deep Cycle Leisure Battery 12V 110AH (100AH) HL400 Caravan Motorhome Marine Boat | eBay
Part Number:HL400. Leisure & Marine Deep Cycle Battery. Perfect for Leisure & Marine Auxiliary Use. This is a high performance Wet Cell Flooded Lead Acid Battery with Advance Calcium+ alloy Technology.
www.ebay.co.uk
12V 130AH EXPEDITION PLUS DEEP CYCLE AGM LEISURE BATTERY 4 YEAR WARRANTY | eBay
12V Xplorer 110AH AGM Caravan Leisure Battery UItra Deep Cycle. 5 Year Warranty.
www.ebay.co.uk
This is roughly what I have and paid for but the internet says they’re “fake”. I think they’re starter batteries with a sticker to fool us, the poor..No they're about £80, maybe more if you want a good one
Deep Cycle Leisure Battery 12V 110AH (100AH) HL400 Caravan Motorhome Marine Boat | eBay
Part Number:HL400. Leisure & Marine Deep Cycle Battery. Perfect for Leisure & Marine Auxiliary Use. This is a high performance Wet Cell Flooded Lead Acid Battery with Advance Calcium+ alloy Technology.www.ebay.co.uk
Yea lithium works out a LOT more expensive than lead acid up front ,
BUT... lithium will does work out a good bit cheaper over the long run if it does actually survive it's rated cycle lifespan
Solarcabin Channel
Solar Addict
They say deep cycle but I think they are marine cranking and not true deep cycle.12V 130AH EXPEDITION PLUS DEEP CYCLE AGM LEISURE BATTERY 4 YEAR WARRANTY | eBay
12V Xplorer 110AH AGM Caravan Leisure Battery UItra Deep Cycle. 5 Year Warranty.www.ebay.co.uk
A true deep cycle has thicker lead plates to handle deep draws and they weigh more and cost more.
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Solar Wizard
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Boats are a hungry mistress. They'll bankrupt the best of men.
Also, you have good panels and good charging equipment.
Those batteries are the equivalent of putting wagon wheels on a ferrari. They'll get you by for now but find an extra $800.00 down the road for a couple lithiums.
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