Hooking the batteries back up - Page 3

scrubjaysnest · 04-10-2014, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sopper

One quick question: What is the most effective way to charge the batteries? I may as well try before replacing them...

Also...if the lines are coming from the solar panel control box how can I determine which is + and which is - ?

Hook a digital meter to both leads with sun shinning on the panel, it will show you real quick the polarity.

Sopper · 04-11-2014, 06:57 AM

I hooked the batteries up in series and let them charge overnight. They are holding near 12V with the front light being used on and off and don't seem to be dropping that much. I am going to see how well these work on our next trip and then make the decision to keep or replace.

I have also hooked the multimeter to the two 'excess' cables that were running to the batteries. I tested the voltage going through these cables and depending on which cable I had hooked to the red and black leads on the multimeter, I was getting roughly 2-3V (+ or -) depending on which lead was hooked where. I also tested the voltage when the garage light was ON vs. OFF. Since the voltage was quite a bit higher when the light was on, I can only assume that these wires are coming from the solar control unit in the camper. Yay!

So...here's my new question to the experts! When I am seeing a positive voltage when I have the red multimeter lead hooked to one wire and the black lead connected to another wire, does this mean I should hook the wire attached to the red lead to the + battery terminal in the series and the wire attached to the black lead to the - terminal in the batter series? Would this charge the batteries from the solar panel or should the wires be reversed?

Thanks again for all your help, comments and suggestions with my electrical issue. It is greatly appreciated

tentcamper · 04-11-2014, 07:33 AM

If after a day with no usage they still are the same voltage. They are probably fine for your usage. Try to keep them charged from time to time. Did you check the waiter level of the batteries?

**Bill** · 04-11-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sopper

... I have also hooked the multimeter to the two 'excess' cables that were running to the batteries. I tested the voltage going through these cables and depending on which cable I had hooked to the red and black leads on the multimeter, I was getting roughly 2-3V (+ or -) depending on which lead was hooked where. ... I can only assume that these wires are coming from the solar control unit in the camper. Yay!

So...here's my new question to the experts! When I am seeing a positive voltage when I have the red multimeter lead hooked to one wire and the black lead connected to another wire, does this mean I should hook the wire attached to the red lead to the + battery terminal in the series and the wire attached to the black lead to the - terminal in the batter series?

Yes, that is exactly right. The solar panels act like a 12-volt battery that has a voltage slightly higher than a regular 12-volt battery. Since the panel voltage is higher, the panels force a current backward (that is, INTO) the regular battery. This is the opposite of draining the battery, so the end result is that it charges the battery.

Bill

Sopper · 04-12-2014, 09:38 AM

Hooked up both batteries yesterday and noticed, as a set, they were loosing power. One is maintaining 5.7 volts while one continues to drop over time. Installed the powered tongue jack I purchased last year and while I am hooked up to my truck it works fantastic. When I try to run it off from battery, even with marginal power coming from the solar panel, it doesn't run. Looks like I will be switching to the single 12V 27 series battery soon.

bayoubill · 04-12-2014, 01:12 PM

I have a question. Do all TM's have two batteries? The 2005 3326 that I recently bought had one battery (I think). Do all TM's use deep cycle batteries?

**Bill** · 04-12-2014, 01:50 PM

Bayou Bill -

All TMs come from the dealer with a single 12-volt battery, usually a Group 24 battery from Interstate.You should consider anything other than a 12-volt Group 24 battery to have been added by a previous owner.

Bill

bayoubill · 04-12-2014, 02:37 PM

So I assume that some TM owners switch from the regular single battery to one or two deep cycle battery(s). I again assume from the discuss above that two batteries are connected in parallel to keep the same voltage but twice the capacity.

Thanks for the quick reply, Bill. I like the name Bill. I wonder why?

**Bill** · 04-12-2014, 03:50 PM

Bill -

The only owners who switch to a pair of deep cycle 6-volt batteries (expensive) are folks who plan to boondock a lot. As long as you have a shore power hookup, a fancy battery has no real return.

Series? Parallel? Rummage through my Tech album, especially this picture
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...&pictureid=451

Another Bill