12V battery getting over charged.....

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello solar forum, I don't often post in here!

My shed has had solar power for the last 2 years.

It has a 120W solar panel, PWM charge controller (see pic below) and a 105aH non-sealed deep cycle battery. I have not been looking after the battery properly and let the levels get too low for too long. I now have a new battery.

The charge controller allows the battery to be charged to 13.7V (well that's what it says, my volt meter says 13.4V) and then keeps it at that voltage (at least during the day, drops lower at night). Is this voltage too high for my battery to be kept at and would this cause my battery levels to drop more quickly?



Ps.. dont suppose anyone recognises this charge controller and can tell me what the 3 buttons do? I bought the kit from Bimble solar, nice chaps and helpful so they may reply but thought I'd ask here as well.

 

[oracle]

That's the same voltage that your motor car charges up to, so that's not the problem. Being unsealed you do need to keep an eye on the electrolyte levels in your battery.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

That's the same voltage that your motor car charges up to, so that's not the problem. Being unsealed you do need to keep an eye on the electrolyte levels in your battery.

Thanks oracle, I've just been told the same thing by a friend. looks like it's more to do with the fact that I haven't been checking the levels often enough (at all!).

 

[telectrix]

should alway check your levels....look after your broom.

 

[gnuuser]

battery chargers whether vehicle or solar, charge at 13 to 15 volts as it must overcome the output of the battery to build up and store a charge.
If the charger is exceeding 16 to 18 volts however then it regulator circuitry is or has failed.