Techni Ice and Freezer

Thanks Mainey,

Not aware of a 12v problem but to eliminate plug/socket possibilities I am replacing the Arrid type cig lighter ones with the good old 2 pin polarised plug and sockets this morning.

I put half a dozen takeaway food containers of frozen curries etc. in the freezer last night and took the techni ice out and the temp this morning was -8.5 on 240v.

When the solar reg. showed 45% the other morning the battery voltage was still at 12.2v so I think that is OK.

Steca solar regs show the battery State Of Charge as a % of the amount of power going 'into' the battery -verses- power going 'out' of the battery, ONLY via the solar regulator.

It works perfect ONLY if you are camped in one spot for long periods of time with-out starting the engine or recharging the battery by ANY source other than the solar panel/s.
If you start the engine, recharge the battery/s by ANY means other than solar or run anything DIRECT from the Aux battery, not through the Steca reg the amount of battery charge going 'in' & 'out' the Aux battery is NOT allowed for, or taken into the calculations as SOC by the % SOC of the Steca solar regulator and it will shut down the 'device' connected to it (fridge ?) by opening the circuit at a pre-set12.6v again.

If you have a Steca solar reg you have a choice of viewing on the LCD screen either 'voltage' (12.6v) or 'SOC' (98%) {numbers for visual appearance only, which will vary depending on the 'type' of battery} as you (probably) would with all other solar regulators also.
If you travel every few days then use 'VOLTAGE' not 'SOC' as you will get WRONG SOC information by looking at the LCD screen.

I have never seen my Steca solar reg get down to anywhere near 45% even in the early morning while still dark with the fridge running after a week of not running the engine, but I only use SOC when camped to get an really accurate idea of what is happening with my 12v power system. The SOC is 100% well before 10am daily.

Hope this explanation assists you

Thanks again Mainey,

I will digest what you have explained and make some changes to the way I monitor my setup. We will be driving most days on the Canning Stock Route but will camp for a few days here and there. That is when the solar will be the only source of charge for the battery.

Thanks for your help. Will keep you informed how it goes.

Correction required....
should read-> "If you start the engine, recharge the battery/s by ANY means other than solar or run anything DIRECT from the Aux battery, not through the Steca reg the amount of battery charge going 'in' & 'out' the Aux battery is NOT allowed for, or taken into the calculations as SOC by the % SOC of the Steca solar regulator and it will automatically shut down any 'device' connected to it (fridge ?) @ 11.1v by opening the circuit and then automatically reconnect the 'device' (fridge) @ 12.6v again"

You can drive all day and still have a miniscule SOC showing as low ~35% while a digital battery gauge will show the same Aux battery is fully charged @ ~12.8v which obviously is not 35% SOC but 100%.

The problem is while driving, the SOC is not calculated correctly because the Alternator will be charging the Aux battery, then when the Aux battery shows as 'fully charged' (which is initially only surface charge anyway) the solar reg will regulate so that no solar power goes to the Aux battery via the solar regulator, therefore only the power 'out' is taken into calculations by the reg and the 'fridge' will be automatically disconnected from a fully charged battery ....by mistake.

Turn off SOC and use the Voltage 'specs' while travelling to avoid these hassles.

Sorry about the long-winded technical post :-))

SA, one is just a Unisolar panel :-)