Got battery temperature probe today

[DamonHD]

Hi,

After my recent major investment in (lead-acid gel) batteries, and given that we are at about the hottest part of the year here in sunny London (~25C today), I finally got my act together and bought and installed a Morningstar remote temperature sensor to go with my MPPT controller.

I'm kinda hoping that I won't see any difference in the voltage graph with the RTS connected, and that having the charger [with in-built temperature sensor] about 2' above the batteries was 'good enough', but using the RTS seems a prudent insurance policy.

Rgds

Damon

[Edited for clarity]

[DanG]

No undercharging for your 11 month London winter or overcharging in August?... oh wait, that's my location.

When the battery man'f defines charge parameters to the hundredths of a volt and ranges of 1/20 or 1/10t volt it's not really a suggestion. If you get the temp sensor reliably reporting the batteries core temperature its a good start on making their warranties look simply like a good start on useful lifetimes.

And... no hedging your bets that it was unneeded by placing it merely in view of the batteries or somesuch

[DamonHD]

I was following your sage advice to me as soon as my finances had recovered from a major splurge on grid-tied PV at my company year-end!

Yes, I'm happy that I have the sensor in place and I hope that it will help with longevity and maximising use of my off-grid PV.

Rgds

Damon

[SparWeb]

If you're like me, one sensor won't be enough for long, and soon begin to wondder about the relative differences in temperature among the batteries.

A bit of air circulation around the cells will help keep them all stay at the same temperature.
When they get closed up inside an insulated box the heat distribution can get worse.
Batteries on a higher shelf are warmer than batteries on the lower shelf if the air in the room is still.
That kind of stuff that makes you wonder "just how much should I baby them"?

[DamonHD]

No, no, no, don't set off my OCD tendencies...

NURSE!  Brain Bleach and quick!  B^>

Rgds

Damon

[SparWeb]

No need for Nurse Wratched -

Just pop 'round the corner to the pub, down a few pints, you'll feel better... 

[DamonHD]

Dear Dr SparWeb,

I am happy to take the medication that you recommend.

Rgds

Damon

PS.  Beer & solar: what's not to like?