Solar panel & old ish batteries

[ozzyb]

As at the moment we are at a boat yard without direct Elec. supply I decided to get a solar panel to keep things up to scratch. However after noticing the charge wasn't what it should be I found one of the three batteries was showing need of replacement. The batteries are just within the 3 year guarantee period, is this just coincidence or has possible damage occurred.

 

[VicS]

As at the moment we are at a boat yard without direct Elec. supply I decided to get a solar panel to keep things up to scratch. However after noticing the charge wasn't what it should be I found one of the three batteries was showing need of replacement. The batteries are just within the 3 year guarantee period, is this just coincidence or has possible damage occurred.

Three batteries presumably wired in parallel as a single bank ? What size are they? ( Ah capacity )

What size solar panel? ( watts max output)

Any regulator?

 

[ozzyb]

Solar panel is a 60w panel via controller to the 2 x 100 amp domestic Batts wired parallel. One of which has failed.
Cheers

 

[VicS]

Solar panel is a 60w panel via controller to the 2 x 100 amp domestic Batts wired parallel. One of which has failed.
Cheers

60 watts should be more than enough to keep 200Ah topped up and to recharge after light use. The controller should prevent any overcharging.

Sensible thing perhaps would be to remove the offending battery bench charge it, hoping for around 12.7 volts after a 12 hour rest, and then monitor it over a reasonable period to see how well it retains its charge. If it fails to charge fully or does not retain its charge it is dodgy.
If it seems Ok probably best to get it properly tested otherwise simply take it back to the supplier and say its duff.