coolfeet
Mark Keeler
I have what I think is an awesome combined solar and vehicle alternator charging system. However, it failed me miserable.
I have a Lifeline AGM 80 ah battery connected to the CTEK D250s battery isolater and charger. I connected the Ford auxiliary 12 volt charging circuit directly to the CTEK D250. Additionally, I have a 160 W solar panel connected to the D250s.
The system worked fine for 3 days while parked. The house battery, according to the meter connected to the system never displayed less than 12.6 volts while running an ARB 60 liter fridge/freezer.
While driving through northern California in 90 degree weather, the house battery voltage dropped to 12 volts. The following day, I charged the house battery over night to full. The following day, after driving 2 hours, the house battery was at 12. something volts.
After putting on 1000 miles the van had starting issues. Turns out the main grounding cable for battery was loose. I drive a 6.0 PSD with 2 batteries mounted on the van frame rail. No doubt the 2 starting batteries were depleted. I was not in a place with shore power as I was on my way to Hyder, Alaska.
After being on the road for 2.5 weeks, I replaced the house battery with a new Canadian Tire 80 ah AGM battery. I connected the battery to solar panel and got it over 13 volts in less than 4 hours. I connected the ARB fridge/freezer to the cigarette lighter plug for another 8 hours.
The same charging problem occurred again.
Long story short, the house battery charged up to 12.4 volts and usually went down below 12 volts.
I charged both starting batteries and the 2 AGM house batteries. Not sure what to do next.
I emailed and called CTEK 2 days and have not received a response.
Any ideas where I should start testing? Maybe disconnect the alternator charging circuit and charge only with the solar while the vehicle is parked. I can do this with the fridge connected and disconnected.
I have a Lifeline AGM 80 ah battery connected to the CTEK D250s battery isolater and charger. I connected the Ford auxiliary 12 volt charging circuit directly to the CTEK D250. Additionally, I have a 160 W solar panel connected to the D250s.
The system worked fine for 3 days while parked. The house battery, according to the meter connected to the system never displayed less than 12.6 volts while running an ARB 60 liter fridge/freezer.
While driving through northern California in 90 degree weather, the house battery voltage dropped to 12 volts. The following day, I charged the house battery over night to full. The following day, after driving 2 hours, the house battery was at 12. something volts.
After putting on 1000 miles the van had starting issues. Turns out the main grounding cable for battery was loose. I drive a 6.0 PSD with 2 batteries mounted on the van frame rail. No doubt the 2 starting batteries were depleted. I was not in a place with shore power as I was on my way to Hyder, Alaska.
After being on the road for 2.5 weeks, I replaced the house battery with a new Canadian Tire 80 ah AGM battery. I connected the battery to solar panel and got it over 13 volts in less than 4 hours. I connected the ARB fridge/freezer to the cigarette lighter plug for another 8 hours.
The same charging problem occurred again.
Long story short, the house battery charged up to 12.4 volts and usually went down below 12 volts.
I charged both starting batteries and the 2 AGM house batteries. Not sure what to do next.
I emailed and called CTEK 2 days and have not received a response.
Any ideas where I should start testing? Maybe disconnect the alternator charging circuit and charge only with the solar while the vehicle is parked. I can do this with the fridge connected and disconnected.
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