I have 8 x 200 w panels in two strings (4 panels) each connected to an EPSolar ETracer 30 amp controller, fused and each connected to one string of 4 x L16 - 6 volt batteries wired to 24 volts. I run a 2 kw inverter but use little power except for a small refrigerator and a few lights.
I failed to do my regular battery and system maintenance for a variety of reasons. When I recently did my inspection following several days of bleak November weather I discovered my batteries seriously depleted (ranging sg 1150 and lower) I further discovered when I circulated my batteries that I had two bad solder joints(one between batteries and the other from my disconnect switch from one of the controllers to one of the battery strings) which obviously led to my problems.
I set my charger to 40 amps and charged for approx. 6 hours in an attempt to bring my batteries up since we still did not have any sun, but, the ammeter shows only 20 amps charge all the time that I was charging.
I realize that my expectations are great in consideration to the fact that I have only actually charged the batteries for a short time. That is not my main concern. Have I ruined my batteries? Is that why they fail to charge at a rate higher than 20 amps? Any suggestions?
---Mod Note: I have moved this question to its own thread rather than clutter up the sticky thread.
I failed to do my regular battery and system maintenance for a variety of reasons. When I recently did my inspection following several days of bleak November weather I discovered my batteries seriously depleted (ranging sg 1150 and lower) I further discovered when I circulated my batteries that I had two bad solder joints(one between batteries and the other from my disconnect switch from one of the controllers to one of the battery strings) which obviously led to my problems.
I set my charger to 40 amps and charged for approx. 6 hours in an attempt to bring my batteries up since we still did not have any sun, but, the ammeter shows only 20 amps charge all the time that I was charging.
I realize that my expectations are great in consideration to the fact that I have only actually charged the batteries for a short time. That is not my main concern. Have I ruined my batteries? Is that why they fail to charge at a rate higher than 20 amps? Any suggestions?
---Mod Note: I have moved this question to its own thread rather than clutter up the sticky thread.
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