Forum Discussion

FrankShore's avatar
FrankShore
Explorer
Aug 25, 2014

Best Way To Recharge Batteries

My batteries are both dead. I have a portable 150 watt solar panel - should I use it to recharge the batteries, or just plug-in at home?

They're AGM.

Thanks,

Frank

8 Replies

  • Best way is to just keep them charged.
    Get up and mount that panel on the roof already.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Converter holds the answer
    Magnetek 6300 USe solar panels and UPGRADE CONVERTER

    Progressive Dynamics 9200, Plug in at home

    NOTE: Most converters are closer to the 9200 than the 6300 so..

    Parallex 7300 (not T) I think I'd try plugging in first but ... that is the middle of the pack.
  • FrankShore wrote:
    Thanks SandiaMan!

    I've got it in front of the house now, on shore power!


    I'd be curious to know. What convertor do you have AND tell us how long it takes to get them back to full capacity with the convertor.

    That is of course, if they are not permanently damaged from being drawn down too far & won't recover.
  • Thanks SandiaMan!

    I've got it in front of the house now, on shore power!
  • By all means get them charged up via shorepower as quickly as possible, solar works well for topping off, but in this scenario you need to get them back up quickly. As mentioned they may have suffered irreparable damage, get them back up and have them checked. Verify that converter is functional and that it contains multi-phase charging to keep batteries at their peak.
  • Plug it in at home! It will still take some time to get them up to full charge.
  • 150/13=11 amps of solar, for only a few hours. That'll take a long time.

    If the batts are truly dead they may be toast.