Abingdon

The domestic batteries were absolutely flat this morning.  That is, 0% on the Smartgauge, 11.8V.   According to the amp/hour meter we have only used 75 AH.  Yesterday we only has 83% showing at the end of the day, so with didn't start the evening with a full bank, but it is a bit worrying.   Had a look at the batteries this morning.  The green "OK" indicator was not green, but a sample of cells that I have checked were not low on electrolyte.    So today we have run the engine more than necessary and got them up to 98%.  All this has started since we were on mains power in the marina.   The Trace inverter charger appeared to be maintaining a float state as expected and when we left all showed normal.   However, on Thursday morning we only had 57% left which is unusual.   We have experienced this before on mains power at Cutweb and I replaced the batteries, although when I discharge tested them afterwards they were OK. 

So we left at 8:00 and proceeded leisurely.   Clifton Lock was the busiest I have seen since Brentford.  Seven boats appeared out of nowhere and the locky was away at his weir.  However, we managed OK.

Abingdon

 Found a mooring at Abingdon on the wall before reaching the bridge, however, as this was too high for Alfie to get on and off independently, Pat searched out another spot on the grass field opposite the recreation area.   Much better!

Comments

[Bruce Napier]

Hi

Could be the charger is going to float prematurely? canal world is the place to go for good advice about this sort of thing, but do give as much info as you can.

Best of luck with it

Bruce

[Michael Fisher]

Thanks for the thought Bruce. I disconnected the batteries and tested each individually. One was 10.8v, another 11.8v and the two remaining 12.22v. Had a chat with RCR who agreed with my conclusion that the batteries are finished, but suggested that I bypass the 10.8 one and use the remaining 3 until replacements can be found. I have finally worked out that the solar panels, with their trickle charge, make the battery voltages appear normal until a load is put on them when the real underlying situation is revealed. So I am wondering if they fool the Smartgauge into thinking that the batteries are more fully charged than they really are.

[Bruce Napier]

Ah, yes. The 10.8 one has a shorted cell, probably, so it will have knackered the others trying to charge it up. Right enough the SG is only fully accurate on discharge (explanation about that in the manual), and with a stuffed bank, it's bound to be a bit confused…

ISTR Gibbo reckons up to 5% error on charge, so in future, cover the solars and wait 10 mins if you want full accuracy. Normally it doesn't matter that much, of course, you're more interested in things like the reading first thing in the morning as to whether you need to run the engine..

All the best

Bruce