Thread: Battery problem?

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Pedro, you need to check both the size of your cabling and the connections.

You should not be seeing 0.5v differences in voltage readings, unless you have undersized cabling and/or a high current discharge occurring.

If you have 6G cabling with good connections, and a short run between the reading points, you would need a discharge current of at least 100 amps to cause that sort of voltage difference.

Something is very wrong with your setup?

I'm pretty much a novice here Tim, but could it be as simple as a bad joint? There certainly seems to be some untoward resistance causing that voltage drop. Or, as someone else mentioned, a poor earth return? KISS first?

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

There is a slight difference between software and terminal, varies between .01 and .1V.
and a difference between output terminals and batts of around half a volt, I can only assume the cable into and out of the controller is the maximum size,
6awg.


Batt Voltage this morning before reconnection- 12.88V



full sun for days,,

This is why I asked about the lack of bootlace crips to terminate at the MPPT controller.
See the difference.
crimp.jpg

Originally Posted by trout1105

This is why I asked about the lack of bootlace crips to terminate at the MPPT controller.
See the difference.
crimp.jpg

For screw down terminals I couldn't agree more. Before bootlace crimps I used to solder the bared ends, although this can create its own problems, but it stopped the screw from spreading, and often cutting, the wire strands. Bootlace crimpers are cheap.

Oh yeah. In 2009 I had a major house fire. The cause? A bad joint behind a power point. Sure, 240V AC is different, but the principle is the same.

I know this isn't really related to Pedro's issue, but it's often the little things....

Originally Posted by trout1105

This is why I asked about the lack of bootlace crips to terminate at the MPPT controller.
See the difference.
crimp.jpg

Yes Thanks Trout...
Never seen one before...


at least two reasons why Crusader didnt use them--
They cost extra money
and
They cost time (money).

If you spent this amount of money on a new BMW Merc etc you would NEVER accept half the things that go on in new vans...

(maybe after bootlacing the crimp wouldnt fit in a 6awg hole anymore??)

[QUOTE=Pedro_The_Swift;3176318]

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

(maybe after bootlacing the crimp wouldnt fit in a 6awg hole anymore??)

Yes it would.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

If you spent this amount of money on a new BMW Merc etc you would NEVER accept half the things that go on in new vans...

Off the rack vs bespoke.

Originally Posted by Tins

I'm pretty much a novice here Tim, but could it be as simple as a bad joint? There certainly seems to be some untoward resistance causing that voltage drop. Or, as someone else mentioned, a poor earth return? KISS first?

Hi and Yes, it could be something that simple.

The problem is finding the cause in the first place and this is usually not that simple.

In Pedros case, I think he is going to have to do quite a bit of detective work before he resolves his issue or issues.