Cinderella update:: I hauled 6 of these up out of the engine room. If I want to …
Cinderella update:: I hauled 6 of these up out of the engine room. If I want to charge them with the solar panel do I connect them in series or in parallel? When everybody on the island is swamped after the hurricane you do it yourself right? Sure would be nice to have a strong boy on board today!!…
https://www.facebook.com/70684391248/posts/10153819522106249
in parallel
Parallel, but not the way to charge the group of batts I’m seeing there. Flooded and AGM require different charge schedules.
Also, if those have been underwater then they are most likely no good anymore. The blue top Optima is sealed and may be ok but the interstate is not sealed and the outside water would have gotten in and diluted the battery water = toast!
Parallel. You want to be dealing with a twelve volt charging circuit. If the solar panal instructions specify a 24 volt circuit, then set them up as a parallel circuit of 24 volt pairs.
Parallel Connections-
Batteries Connected in Parallel
Figure 3: Batteries Connected in Parallel
Figure 3 shows two 12-volt batteries connected in parallel. The important things to note about a parallel connection are: 1) The battery pack voltage is the same as the voltage of the individual battery. This assumes that the individual battery voltages are the same. In fact, this is an absolute must. Do not mix and match different battery voltages in the same battery pack. In this example the battery pack voltage is 12 volts which is exactly the same as each of the individual 12-volt batteries. 2) The capacity of the battery pack is the sum of the capacities of the individual batteries. Again, make sure that all of the batteries are the same size, that is that they have the same amp-hour capacity.
http://www.batterytender.com/connecting-chargers
You will need a fuse and a controller/regulator between the solar panel and the batteries
As Mark Kling said in his first post concerning parallel vs series, however to clarify the smallest capacity battery will over charge while the larger battery’s are still charging.
I have the charge controller and fuse
And these are my three 12 volt batteries that I want to charge with the solar panel
Like everybody said, parallel. Connect all the positives together and all the negatives together
Cindy – as a guy who professionally works with those specific batteries, here is what I would do:
1. If you don’t have a digital volt meter, go to Lowes and buy one.
2. Read the instructions on how to make DC voltage tests.
3. Disconnect ALL batteries, and test each individually. Any battery testing at 12.6 volts should be considered serviceable.
4. Any battery testing at more than 11 volts should be recharged and tested at an auto parts store.
5. Any battery testing less than 11 volts should be scrapped most likely due to salt water intrusion.
PM me an email address and I will send you some info.
http://www.windynation.com/cm/Complete_Solar_Kit_Manual_R2.1.pdf