Measuring Amps - for Liveaboards :)

[DeanS]

I was only trying to help you. Why a few days ago you said you only had ten quid in the bank.

 

Which is true. However, I pay a boat loan back each month, and Lloyds gives you the option of taking a one month loan holiday (they just add some interest on at the end). That means, I suddenly have access to a few hundred pounds (to buy solar) which I didnt expect to have.

 

So at 12.1V in the morning your batteries have somewhere between 35 and 40% capacity left and are ready for a good charge, not just an hour here or there.

 

Thanks for that. I'm going to buy a SG tester. I think it will help. If I'm getting 12.1 in the mornings, UNDER LOAD, perhaps it's slight more WITHOUT LOAD. I'm thinking an SG tester is the best test?

[smileypete]

These seem a good price. 200Watts....@ £139. What is the difference between mono, multi, type solar panels.....I think I heard that mono are better? I know nothing.

 

Ah c'mon...

 

The answer is here

 

(coz I know you can take a joke )

 

ETA 12.1V with a bit of load on should be fine.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited April 24, 2013 by smileypete

[smileypete]

Thanks for that. I'm going to buy a SG tester. I think it will help. If I'm getting 12.1 in the mornings, UNDER LOAD, perhaps it's slight more WITHOUT LOAD. I'm thinking an SG tester is the best test?

 

Be a lot of hassle to use on a day to day basis, but every few weeks it'd be worth doing a check about an hour after the long weekly charge. If the SGs are all over the place especially after a long charge then it can spell trouble.

 

Halfords and the motor factors should do the big glass ones like a huge pipette with a glass float inside, these are reasonably OK for a comparitive check. Then for £25-30ish on Ebay there are refractometers that just use a drop of acid, they are quite accurate and much easier to use if access to the batts is limited.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~.

Edited April 24, 2013 by smileypete