Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
On average I'm replacing all 4 batteries at just over 1 year. Need some extra brain power to help solve this.
Batteries:
4 - 850 CCA Kirkland starting batteries
Charging:
215 A Mitsubishi Alternator (<1000 hrs) works 100%
Head 60 max 40 cont amp 13.8v shore charger
Loads:
5a fridge on house batteries
7.3 Diesel
E350 Ambulance
Isolator:
Now ACR... was Vanier diode isolator with VR getting input post isolator from Starting batteries.
Getting to the point:
1) Costco hastled me about last warranty exchange on <1 year old batteries. Stating on average I'm replacing batteries about once a year... may not honour warranty next time.
2) Getting sick of changing batteries
Pre ACR, Alternator providing 14.07 V to batteries. Shore charger rated at 13.8... actually only seeing 13.3 due to load/draw/batteries/???, but plugged in every night.
With ACR, Alternator 14.5-14.6v. Shore charger voltage seems slightly higher... likely higher starting charge level.
Now time will tell, but is there something I'm overlooking?
Any reason batteries keep dying?
Are the batteries simply not up to the job they're speced to do?
I'm also planning to setup a relay to switch the fridge from house power to shore when connected to shore, thereby reducing the load on 40(60)A Head charger. The charger is designed to charge and supply 12v at the same time, but I'm running out of ideas.
Batteries I'm guessing are sulfating... when they did, they seem to charge faster, but a 5 amp draw will kill two of them in <2hrs.
Marine batteries died equally fast, so I switched to starting batteries because they didn't seem to be able to keep up discharges of 250A+ when the inverter had a sudden load... the 215A alternator... or being backups for the starting batteries.
Batteries:
4 - 850 CCA Kirkland starting batteries
Charging:
215 A Mitsubishi Alternator (<1000 hrs) works 100%
Head 60 max 40 cont amp 13.8v shore charger
Loads:
5a fridge on house batteries
7.3 Diesel
E350 Ambulance
Isolator:
Now ACR... was Vanier diode isolator with VR getting input post isolator from Starting batteries.
Getting to the point:
1) Costco hastled me about last warranty exchange on <1 year old batteries. Stating on average I'm replacing batteries about once a year... may not honour warranty next time.
2) Getting sick of changing batteries
Pre ACR, Alternator providing 14.07 V to batteries. Shore charger rated at 13.8... actually only seeing 13.3 due to load/draw/batteries/???, but plugged in every night.
With ACR, Alternator 14.5-14.6v. Shore charger voltage seems slightly higher... likely higher starting charge level.
Now time will tell, but is there something I'm overlooking?
Any reason batteries keep dying?
Are the batteries simply not up to the job they're speced to do?
I'm also planning to setup a relay to switch the fridge from house power to shore when connected to shore, thereby reducing the load on 40(60)A Head charger. The charger is designed to charge and supply 12v at the same time, but I'm running out of ideas.
Batteries I'm guessing are sulfating... when they did, they seem to charge faster, but a 5 amp draw will kill two of them in <2hrs.
Marine batteries died equally fast, so I switched to starting batteries because they didn't seem to be able to keep up discharges of 250A+ when the inverter had a sudden load... the 215A alternator... or being backups for the starting batteries.