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Topic: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings? (Read 2356 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings?
Reply #50 –
While we are on the subject of solar controllers, etc, I would like some advice.  RonB told me to replace my solar controller when we were at the Morro Bay GTG a couple of years ago.  I have attached a photo of my existing controller, which is on the side panel of the refrigerator cabinet next to the entrance.  I also have 2 solar panels, but it looks like this was redone at some time because the holes where the original panel was are quite obvious.

I changed the old trojan 6v batteries to a pair of 12v agm Interstate batteries and, of course, had to change the wiring.  The 12v had a 5 year warranty and the 6v had a 1 year.  For the very high price, I wanted a longer warranty.  My mechanic said that my existing controller would be ok.  But....??

I understand that the controller LD uses is a Blue Sky 3000i?  Is this the one that you would recommend?  And what about a charge wire for the chassis battery?  I currently have a Battery Tender charger hooked up the chassis battery when parked behind my office building.  Would like to use the existing solar.
Re: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings?
Reply #51 –
Perfect!  You were exactly right.  That gray wire contained the temperature sensor red & black wires (see picture below).  Once I took that busbar off the back, I was able to back the sensor and it's wire free from behind the busbar.  Next step was just cutting the old sensor off and stripping the wires.

Now I'm going to cut off the sensor of the new I'm using with the new SB3000i solar controller (sensor shown in the picture below), but before I do, I'm wondering how much wire to leave on the new sensor, because that will be determined by where I put the sensor.  I've seen some people state that the best place is inbetween the two batteries; however, the sensor looks like it's intended to be put on one of the terminal posts (positive or negative???).  If I place it between the two batteries, it will just be wedged in as the space is only about a quarter of an inch wide (narrower than the "neck" of the sensor).

So where is the best place to leave the sensor?

Appreciate it!
Eric
 
Re: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings?
Reply #52 –
Quote from: parussky  - 
While we are on the subject of solar controllers, etc, I would like some advice.  RonB told me to replace my solar controller when we were at the Morro Bay GTG a couple of years ago.  I have attached a photo of my existing controller, which is on the side panel of the refrigerator cabinet next to the entrance.  I also have 2 solar panels, but it looks like this was redone at some time because the holes where the original panel was are quite obvious.

I changed the old trojan 6v batteries to a pair of 12v agm Interstate batteries and, of course, had to change the wiring.  The 12v had a 5 year warranty and the 6v had a 1 year.  For the very high price, I wanted a longer warranty.  My mechanic said that my existing controller would be ok.  But....??

I understand that the controller LD uses is a Blue Sky 3000i?  Is this the one that you would recommend?  And what about a charge wire for the chassis battery?  I currently have a Battery Tender charger hooked up the chassis battery when parked behind my office building.  Would like to use the existing solar.
I'm pretty sure that your current solar controller is not a 3- or 4-stage controller.  I think it pre-dates the one I just replaced (the HPV-22),  and neither have a float charging (lower) voltage mode (around 13.3 V).  Therefore, the charging voltage when your battery is fully charged is too high for the AGM batteries and can damage them prematurely.  The Blue Sky 3000i is a 3-stage solar controller with a float voltage mode.  To address your other question, it also has the ability to use a wire to charge an auxiliary battery (which, in your case, would be the chassis battery).  So far, I haven't elected to do this for the chassis battery as it would require more extensive routing of the wire than I'm prepared to do at this time.  I think that addresses all of your questions.  Keep in mind that I was not knowledgeable about any of this a week ago, but because of all of the great contributors on this forum, I've learned a lot.  If you haven't already, I suggest you read all of the posts in this thread as you seem to be asking very similar questions to what mine have been.
Re: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings?
Reply #53 –
Eric, either location will work OK. If a terminal is used + or - doesn't matter. I went with a terminal but I am sure a difference in temperature, if any, would be insignificant to the controller.

Charles
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
 
Re: Replacing flooded batteries with AGM. Changing Solar Controller settings?
Reply #54 –
Quote from: Morgueman  - 
I'm pretty sure that your current solar controller is not a 3- or 4-stage controller.  I think it pre-dates the one I just replaced (the HPV-22),  and neither have a float charging (lower) voltage mode (around 13.3 V).  Therefore, the charging voltage when your battery is fully charged is too high for the AGM batteries and can damage them prematurely.  The Blue Sky 3000i is a 3-stage solar controller with a float voltage mode.  To address your other question, it also has the ability to use a wire to charge an auxiliary battery (which, in your case, would be the chassis battery).  So far, I haven't elected to do this for the chassis battery as it would require more extensive routing of the wire than I'm prepared to do at this time.  I think that addresses all of your questions.  Keep in mind that I was not knowledgeable about any of this a week ago, but because of all of the great contributors on this forum, I've learned a lot.  If you haven't already, I suggest you read all of the posts in this thread as you seem to be asking very similar questions to what mine have been.
On second thought, maybe yours is 3-stage.  I see the word "float" on the display panel.  That's what I get for trying to share new-found knowledge.