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mangothemadmonk · NW Rally Co-ordinator

Hi Terry. Would I have to have a 3 stage charger fit? If so thats an extra cost as well.

As I have solar which trickle the batts during the day would this affect the amount of times I would need to check?

Cheers.

Johnny F

DABurleigh

I check them around every 6 months, more to get advance notice of a cell going off by measuring the SG than checking for loss of electrolyte. No topping up has yet been needed after 3 years.

The secret is to charge them to no higher a terminal voltage than 14.4V. Some 3 stage chargers go up to 14.8V so it is not simply a question of using any old 3-stage charger. If you look at the charging characteristics for your charger when switched to gel, you will find this will serve you nicely for nil-maintenance cheap wets Smile

I'll keep on saying it, but MHF members will still buy expensive gels off dealers "because they know best" and they "really want maintenance-free". Ho hum. Whatever makes them happy I guess.

Dave

mangothemadmonk · NW Rally Co-ordinator

So Dave, lets get this right...

I don't need to "really" check wet batteries that often say every 12 months? (6 months min)

I would need to change the setting of my on board charger from gel as it is set at now over to wet if changing to wet batts?

I would need to drill a couple of holes and fit pipes to vent wet batts?

Using the solar wouldn't make me need to check battery electrolyte more than every 12 months? (6 months min)

Should I leave my MH plugged in when at home (as I do now [on a timer to come on at night]) or would this damage wet batts.

Cheers Dave.

Johnny F

DABurleigh

Johnny,

"I don't need to "really" check wet batteries that often say every 12 months? (6 months min)"

That really depends on the extent to which you understand what your charging voltage profile is. But if it doesn't go above 14.4V, I'd probably check after, say, 1 month, then another 3 months, then another 6 months, and take it from there according to what you see happening - it may be 'never again'.

"I would need to change the setting of my on board charger from gel as it is set at now over to wet if changing to wet batts?"

No. Quite the reverse. Read what I said again Smile

"I would need to drill a couple of holes and fit pipes to vent wet batts?"

I would never counsel against this need, and it is trivially easy to do (I have a photo posted on a thread that shows mine). But equally I doubt much venting at all is happening with mine.

"Using the solar wouldn't make me need to check battery electrolyte more than every 12 months? (6 months min) "

In total analogy with your charger, that depends on the extent to which you understand what your solar panel regulator is doing. The 14.4V criterion applies here, too.

"Should I leave my MH plugged in when at home (as I do now [on a timer to come on at night]) or would this damage wet batts."

Again, as I have consistently advised, if the terminal float phase of your charger delivers 13.5 to 13.8V, just leave the van plugged into mains with charger on and forget about it. In my own case, because solar maintains my batteries, I only plug it into mains at home with a frostat radiator in the van when there is likely to be a heavy frost, as I never drain down the boiler.

Dave

mangothemadmonk · NW Rally Co-ordinator

Thanks for that Dave.

One last (yeh whatever) question. Why do I leave it to gel setting on the charger when charging wet batts?

Johnny F

DABurleigh

Johnny,

This is what I said in my post before the last, and to which I referred you in the last:

"The secret is to charge them to no higher a terminal voltage than 14.4V. Some 3 stage chargers go up to 14.8V so it is not simply a question of using any old 3-stage charger. If you look at the charging characteristics for your charger when switched to gel, you will find this will serve you nicely for nil-maintenance cheap wets "

Basically you want to avoid gassing. The penalty you pay is you don't drive as many Ah into the battery. But clearly one is prepared for that sacrifice for gels, so it is not a penalty for "nil maintenance but cheap wets" Smile

Dave

JockandRita

mangothemadmonk · NW Rally Co-ordinator

Thanks Dave and Jock, I now have a head ache Confused

Johnny F

DABurleigh

Yes, Jock, here: