Hi Guys, I hope somebody can advise me...

I have a Bushlapa Kewer, bought 2nd hand. Took it on a trip to Kruger over four days last week, on an un-serviced site.

On the last day the battery indicator stopped showing lights. We have a solar panel and there was good, unobstructed sun.

On return we plugged it back into the mains, still no lights on the battery load indicator. The Victron app says that the batteries are only getting 10.1 v absorption.

I can't work out of the batteries are shot, if the solar panel has stopped working, or if the Victron inverter battery charger is not working. My electrician says he feels it maybe the batteries that have failed (batteries and solar panel worked 100% for the first 3 days).

I don't know which way to jump, or which questions to ask !

Also...

If i have to replace the batteries - should I replace then with Li batteries ?

Many thanks

A Victron charger gives a default absorption voltage of 14.2V for a LiFePO4 (lithium) and 14.4V for a Gel or AGM (lead-acid) battery in a 12V system.

Your 10.1V is not correct. Your battery is not being charged by the Victron.

Thanks Paul !!

Could that be a battery fault or a fault in the Victron charger ?

Lithium is the only battery I would use for a UPS / solar system.

You will also have to check if the Victron MPPT solar regulator charges properly with full sun. Maybe it is a blue smart with blue tooth or just measure the voltage on the battery with a multimeter. Should be above 13.2V.

Richard, put your solar panel in the full sun, and connect the electrical lead to it. The measure the voltage on the lead, it must be approximately 18-20V open circuit. Then the solar panel is OK.

Cheapest next test would be to take the batteries to a supplier and get it tested. 

If you need to replace them, and you want to take the expansive route, only buy a LiFePO4 battery, not any Li- battery.  

 The fact that you encounter the problem when connected to the 220V mains, already indicate that the solar panel is not the culprit.

richard C wrote:

Thanks Paul !!

 

Could that be a battery fault or a fault in the Victron charger ?

Charge the battery with another charger. If it charges it is the Victron Multi. I think it is the Victron inverter charger.

Running off just solar for 3 days with a Lead Acid will flattern it if you have fridges and lights and so on connected.

Use a LiFePO4 battery in your solar system. It can go down to 15% State of Charge without damage.

Hi Paul, without knowing Richard set up, your comment above might be incorrect.

If your solar panels can provide enough current, to exceed your consumption [Amp.hr] during sunlight hours, thus having spare current to charge the batteries, the batteries will not flatten out.

It help to switch off the fridges during night time, to "save" the battey capacity.

I utilise 320watt panels, connected to two 105amp.hr deep cycle lead acid battries. That provide enough oemph to operate two National Luna fridges.    

Wessel yes we don’t know his exact setup but the Bushlspa Kewer comes out with a 340W pannel, Victron Smart 100/30 MPPT and optional a Victron Inverter Multi. (Charger and grid tie inverter). 102Ah LA or Lithium ….buyers choice.

that is my inverter. I have a 320 w solar panel (I think) and 2 batteries.

That is just a 12V 15Amp ac mains charger.

I think your batteries are finished. Charge them with another charger that you know works to check if they take charge. Or take them to a battery place to test them…as Wessel suggested.

Thanks everybody for the advice and insight. I'll get the batteries tested.