Bailey solar charging problem

andytyneandwear
andytyneandwear Forum Participant Posts: 113
edited March 2023 in Caravans #1

I have a Bailey Unicorn 3 Valencia and it seems to have a problem with Solar charging over the winter my battery has totaly died, disconnected voltage 6.3v (Banner 110ah 3 years old) . The output from the charger depending on sunlight 12.6V -14.1v so seems ok, problem is new battery purchased and fitted the disconnected voltage when fitted was 13.2v, after a month in the van 12.4v Everything in the van is off and the charger today reading13.0v any one any ideas?

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2023 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,300 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #3

    If it’s just the standard Bailey panel I doubt it is large enough. As our MH is kept in storage and I need to power an alarm and tracker for insurance purposes I had two x 90 watt panels fitted. Through the 3 winters we have owned it we have had no problems keeping both habitation and cab batteries charged. Our MH is stored in an open location and there are no obstructions such as trees, houses etc, all of which will affect efficiency. Although I didn’t buy them with the intention, the panels have the additional benefit that we can use them on off grid Aires in France.

     

  • andytyneandwear
    andytyneandwear Forum Participant Posts: 113
    edited March 2023 #4

    The van is set up with a 100w factory fitted panel and a Truma SDC20 smart charger and ive had no previous problems over the last 8 winters.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2023 #5
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Club Member Posts: 296 ✭✭✭
    100 Comments
    edited March 2023 #6

    I have a Valencia 3, during Covid i started to plug my Nissan Navara into the spare terminals on the charge controller as its battery kept dropping its voltage due to lack of use. Both batteries were kept fully charged by the single solar panel.

  • ChocolateTrees
    ChocolateTrees Forum Participant Posts: 432
    edited April 2023 #7

    I had the same controller on my 2016 Vigo S3. Last year the controller died and killed my Banner 110aH battery (charged it at 15+v and gassed away the electrolyte). 

    I replaced the controller with one from ebay with an adjustable float voltage and added a lithium battery with a smart BMS, bluetooth monitor and charge protection. The solar panel is  fine, and my battery has stayed well charged all winter. 

    Controller

    Battery

  • Stagdad1962
    Stagdad1962 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited April 2023 #8

    Check that the Solar regulator is working correctly just had similar problem with my panerl and battery ended up that I needed new regulator all working well now. However over the winter if battery remains connected it will need a boost direct from mains power system 

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