I have installed what is phase one of a solar system in our new 21.5' TT. I have a Morningstar TS-45 controller, a 120 watt (folding) portable panel, and a Trimetric 2025-RV. Phase two in the off-season will be installation of two 130-140w solar panels on the roof, two golf cart batteries, probably from Sams Club, and an inverter. But for the couple of camping trips we will take yet this season, that is my base system, plus I have the OEM 12V battery.
The solar system and the Trimetric are all working fine. But I want to program the additional parameters into my Trimetric, P1, P2, & P3. I can't find out a couple of parameters for this cheapo OEM battery. I'm hoping someone can advise me. I need to determine the voltage setpoint to program into the Morningstar controller for this battery. I know that for Trojans it is 14.8V. This is far from a Trojan, but it is a flooded battery, so at this point I have it set for 14.8V, since I can't find a mfg recommendation for this battery. Is 14.8V OK, or should it be set to slightly less?
The other parameter I need to program into the Trimetric is the battery system capacity in amp hours. I googled my battery make and model number and don't find that spec. My battery is branded Mighty Bruin, DP24-85. Height of the box is 8 1/4", or 9 1/4" to top of posts. Length of box is 10 1/8" and 10 3/4" including lip extensions on both ends that hold the carry strap. Width is 6 1/2"
Is this a Group 24 battery? If not, what group is it? Based on the group of the battery, what figure should I assume for battery capacity in amp hours?
Looks like that's either a starting battery or some kind of hybrid marine/deep cycle. I found one cached post from some website that stated it was a group 24 battery with the following specs.
"660 ca, 540 cca, 90 min. reserve capacity"
I would assume it's 85 amp hours based on the model number having 24 and 85 in it. I'd charge it at 14.4V instead of 14.8V.
Give them a call and see if you can get the specs you need...
I see they have an email address as well...
My guess it is a GROUP 24 85AH DUAL PURPOSE deep cycle starting battery.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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I agree group 24 and about 80 amp hours. 14.8 for a couple hours when just in storage seems like a bit much but fine while in use. For storage I would go shorter time (10 to 30 minutes) or lower voltage (14.2v to 14.5v) possibly both. If controller has the extended absorbtion option use that to extend absorbtion time to a couple hours while in use.
I would charge it at a max 14.4 and float it at 13.5 or so, not knowing the previous usage, age, or weight. Even at those lower rates, I'd keep an eye on the water levels and temperature when charging. It's easy to expend the last usefullness out of an older battery with just a few higher voltage charging cycles.
It has been my experience that if you leave anything above 13.6VDC on the battery for any length of time you may start boiling out battery fluids. Actually most of the newer smart-mode converters like to drop to 13.2VDC after a few hours to prevent this from happening.
Using the 14.8VDC should only be for a couple of hours. This is what is used for quick re-charging of deep cycle batteries. Most smart-mode converters/chargers will run 14.4VDC for two hours then drop back to 13.6VDC for one hour and then back to 13.2VDC after 6-7 hours of no battery demands activity.
Using 14.4VDC-14.6VDC-14.8VDC on your battery more than two hours will most likely start boiling out your battery fluids. Happens on my battery bank...
These are my experiences with charging my batteries.
Thanks to all for your helpful responses. Much appreciated!
On my Morningstar TS-45, the only setting as far as volts to push into the battery is the max set point. It is considered a pretty sophisticated solar charger. But the time to charge at that set point, float charge, and so on, are all pre-programmed in. Those items are not user adjustable. I do have a remote temperature sensor hooked to it, so currently, when it is parked at my home here in the summer heat of southern AZ, I have not seen it go above 14.4 volts, even though I have the max set point at 14.8V. I believe that is due to temperature compensation. It does not seem to be boiling off my battery water.
As I measured my battery and consulted a chart online of Battery Groups and the size for each, a question came to mind: When they measure a battery for these charts, on height, are they measuring just the battery box, or are they including the posts? And for length, should I include the lip extensions on each end that the carrying strap hooks to, or just the actual battery box?
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I'd charge it at 14.4V instead of 14.8V.
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