Isolating batteries for replacement

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Isolating batteries for replacement

June 24, 2018, 02:43:20 pm

Hi folks,

Well, my four new lifeline batteries have arrived, and it is time for me to have a go at replacing them. And I want to make sure I know how to isolate them before starting that work. My existing set up was installed by AM Solar, so I can call them tomorrow, but was hoping this would be pretty standard and folks on this forum might be able assist today.

My set up has two AGM batteries in the cabinet under the fridge, and the other two AGM batteries out in the battery compartment (effectively back-to-back). We also have a Magnum 2000W inverter, Xantrex Battery Monitor, and Heliotrop HPV-30DR MPPT Solar Charge Controller (this was a 2008 installation)

On the inside compartment is a large red switch with on and off positions, along with a 40A fuse with an on/reset and off/trip position. On the outside compartment housing the inverter, there is another identical red switch. Will turning the red switches to off isolate the batteries? Is there anything more I need to do? For example, do I need to:

- turn off anything in my converter, main RV panel?
- unplug electrical feed to the RV?
- turn off or change any settings on my solar, battery, or inverter monitor panels?
- cover solar panels?
- or whatever I have not mentioned that might be key?

I'd like to get confirmation, and any other general guidance on this swap of batteries before I begin.

And if you need any more info, or can just point me to an existing thread, just let me know. A quick search I did came up blank.

Thanks in advance for any quick assistance/replies. Much appreciated.

S-

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #1 – June 24, 2018, 05:59:17 pm

Others on the forum are much more qualified than I, but I have changed the Trojans in my coach, on the fly, in a parking lot. I pulled the fuse for the solar, and of course was not plugged in to any shore power. I threw the red battery switch to the off position. I have a battery monitor as well, and that made for a number of wires attached to various terminals and such. Then, the most important step I took was to use my phone to take photos of everything before I began to disconnect all those wires. I also used a few post-its to attach to certain wires with a note as to where it went. Thus armed, the job went relatively easy. Everything worked. Good luck! — Jon

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #2 – June 24, 2018, 06:57:50 pm

Quote from: Steve and Carol Crisp - June 24, 2018, 02:43:20 pm

Hi folks,

Well, my four new lifeline batteries have arrived, and it is time for me to have a go at replacing them. And I want to make sure I know how to isolate them before starting that work. My existing set up was installed by AM Solar, so I can call them tomorrow, but was hoping this would be pretty standard and folks on this forum might be able assist today.

My set up has two AGM batteries in the cabinet under the fridge, and the other two AGM batteries out in the battery compartment (effectively back-to-back). We also have a Magnum 2000W inverter, Xantrex Battery Monitor, and Heliotrop HPV-30DR MPPT Solar Charge Controller (this was a 2008 installation)

On the inside compartment is a large red switch with on and off positions, along with a 40A fuse with an on/reset and off/trip position. On the outside compartment housing the inverter, there is another identical red switch. Will turning the red switches to off isolate the batteries? Is there anything more I need to do? For example, do I need to:

- turn off anything in my converter, main RV panel?
- unplug electrical feed to the RV?
- turn off or change any settings on my solar, battery, or inverter monitor panels?
- cover solar panels?
- or whatever I have not mentioned that might be key?

I'd like to get confirmation, and any other general guidance on this swap of batteries before I begin.

And if you need any more info, or can just point me to an existing thread, just let me know. A quick search I did came up blank.

Thanks in advance for any quick assistance/replies. Much appreciated.

S-

http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=3433#viewitem

Perhaps this will help.

Chris

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #3 – June 25, 2018, 10:55:44 am

Quote from: Chris Horst - June 24, 2018, 06:57:50 pm

http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=3433#viewitem

Perhaps this will help.

Chris

My house is off grid solar panel operated with a large battery bank so I'm a quasi expert on this stuff. I just replaced all my batteries and did it at night so the panels wouldn't be producing but I'd definitely cover them if you do the switch when the sun's out. From what I've read you can damage the panels if they are producing power and have no place to send it.

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #4 – June 25, 2018, 12:16:25 pm

Thanks for the replies folks.

Since I waited until today anyways, I called AM Solar (who installed the system).

Here is their advice:

1. Turn red switch (under fridge) to off to cut solar input
2. Turn circuit break (under fridge) to off
3. Unplug from shore power
4. Turn off red switch (inside inverter storage bin)
5. Turn off/pull fuses/isolate DC system (as much as possible),
6. No need to cover solar panels

After replacing new batteries, reverse these steps from #5 to #1.

Perhaps that will help someone else with a similarly limited understanding of their RV solar/electrical system as I have ;-)

All the best,

S-

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #5 – June 25, 2018, 01:43:28 pm

Steve, your steps are unique to an installation done by AM Solar.
I just swap em out.

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #6 – June 25, 2018, 02:06:49 pm

Quote from: Steve and Carol Crisp - June 25, 2018, 12:16:25 pm

1. Turn red switch (under fridge) to off to cut solar input
2. Turn circuit break (under fridge) to off
3. Unplug from shore power
4. Turn off red switch (inside inverter storage bin)
5. Turn off/pull fuses/isolate DC system (as much as possible),
6. No need to cover solar panels

Not sure why you need to pull fuses as long as the battery switch is turned off, shore power disconnected and the fuse for the solar controller pulled.
That's all I do during any type of battery replacement. Beyond that is just wasted time in a futile attempt to increase the safety factor.

Larry

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #7 – June 26, 2018, 07:33:21 am

Quote from: Larry W - June 25, 2018, 02:06:49 pm

Not sure why you need to pull fuses as long as the battery switch is turned off, shore power disconnected and the fuse for the solar controller pulled.
That's all I do during any type of battery replacement. Beyond that is just wasted time in a futile attempt to increase the safety factor.

Larry

Thanks Larry,

I'm sure you are correct. The AM Solar tech mentioned that as a precautionary step to protect the DC circuitry.

S-

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #8 – June 26, 2018, 10:22:21 am

Quote from: Steve and Carol Crisp - June 25, 2018, 12:16:25 pm

Thanks for the replies folks.

Since I waited until today anyways, I called AM Solar (who installed the system).

Here is their advice:

1. Turn red switch (under fridge) to off to cut solar input
2. Turn circuit break (under fridge) to off
3. Unplug from shore power
4. Turn off red switch (inside inverter storage bin)
5. Turn off/pull fuses/isolate DC system (as much as possible),
6. No need to cover solar panels

After replacing new batteries, reverse these steps from #5 to #1.

Perhaps that will help someone else with a similarly limited understanding of their RV solar/electrical system as I have ;-)

All the best,

S-

Interesting that they told you no need to cover solar panels. Backwoods Solar where I got the system for my house told me to cover them anytime they are unhooked and I've read in off grid forums that it's essential but maybe it's because they are so much bigger than RV panels? I dunno, one of life's little head scratchers.

Re: Isolating batteries for replacement

Reply #9 – June 29, 2018, 06:25:02 pm

Hi folks,

Just thought I would this topic regarding new batteries and installation. Turns out it was not all that difficult. Under the fridge was simplest (most room to work, and smaller batteries, Lifeline GPL-4CT). So those were done first.

Next came the outside battery bay. Here the challenge was that the the larger batteries (GPL-6CT) just barely fit in the first place. But amazingly (to me), once disconnected the battery tray still slid out (I supported it just in case) and the batteries were somewhat manageable. The one issue I faced was that during my 2008 AM Solar install, the tech zip-tied the battery temperature sensors to the battery handles *after* pulling excess cable through the wall and securing the hole. Since I did not know there was no slack, when I pulled gently, one of the battery temp sensors separated from the battery terminal. Ugh!

So in the end I contacted AM Solar and they graciously offered to send me a new one at no cost. In the meantime, I dug out the old filler, and tried glueing it back together with epoxy. It looks like it worked, so I will try to test it. If it isn't working, I'll probably splice the new sensor/terminal connector onto the old wire, as it the cable run is otherwise unaccessible.

So we are all set with new batteries for an upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador adventure this summer! I'll ask folks if they have any tips for that in a new thread.

Anyways, I appreciate all of the feedback I have received.

S-

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