On Jun 18, 3:11*am, Salomon Fringe wrote:
... Does your battery monitor show % discharge of your bank? If so that might be
better than relying on voltage that changes depending on load.

It does, but it's funky. I've fiddled with the Peukert a fair bit
(now trying 1.150) and with the charge efficiency % (97). Still, it
always tells me the batteries are worn down long before the voltage is
weak and then it shows them fully charged while they're still
accepting current. And it periodically has a two's complement / over-
run thing that sends it off into huge negative numbers sounds the
alarms and requires a re-set... It is a nice volt/amp meter, it does
a good job of controlling the alternators and it does an adequate job
of controlling the solar, but it's not all that useful as a battery
gauge.

...
What does your1500w inverter power? I suppose the inverter will be the
heaviest load at possibly 120A @12v.

The computers mostly. I also have some battery powered tools that I
recharge with it and a dremel tool that I run off of it and when we've
got cell phones we charge them, too. Typically it is off.

We're basically a 12v DC boat. Sounds like you're on the other side
of the coin being mostly 230 AC (50 cycle, I presume). In theory,
your way should save a lot on wire and transmission losses.

Anyway, I'm very happy with my AGMs and I'm glad to hear that you're
happy with your tractor batteries. I think we'll all be happier yet
when nickel, lithium or maybe even fuel cells are affordable.

-- Tom.

wrote:
On Jun 18, 3:11 am, Salomon Fringe wrote:

It does, but it's funky. I've fiddled with the Peukert a fair bit
(now trying 1.150) and with the charge efficiency % (97). Still, it
always tells me the batteries are worn down long before the voltage is
weak and then it shows them fully charged while they're still
accepting current.

Seems like you have programmed it for too small a battery? You did check
the correct number of amp hours and if the monitor asks for a c/20, c/10
or c/5 value?
....
Anyway, I'm very happy with my AGMs and I'm glad to hear that you're
happy with your tractor batteries.

Not tractor, more like forklift ;-)

On Jun 18, 9:43*am, Salomon Fringe wrote:
...
Seems like you have programmed it for too small a battery? You did check
the correct number of amp hours and if the monitor asks for a c/20, c/10
or c/5 value?

Well I put in the nominal ah for the c/20 rate. But it could be that
the batteries are conservatively rated. The monitor manufacturers
suggest testing the batteries at a high rate and then a low rate to
get real numbers. I've avoided that as it can't be good for the
batteries to run them flat twice or more (a single test is likely to
have errors) and the numbers will change as the battery ages... All
in all that seems like a high price to pay to have a % remaining
number. I already know if the batteries are doing what I need.

Anyway, I'm very happy with my AGMs and I'm glad to hear that you're
happy with your tractor batteries. *

Not tractor, more like forklift ;-)

Oh darn "cruizhimers" strikes again. I knew it was one of the "T"
words... Sorry

-- Tom.