Solar Storage Protocol?
My Renogy Wanderer requires that I connect the battery to the controller and then the controller to the panels when installing. Do I simply disconnect the panels from the controller when in storage? ...
Forum Discussion
I have stored group batteries for 6 months. 3 months shouldn't be a problem. I have charged four group 27 in parallel with a battery tender that came on for about half an hour a day with a timer. I did it for 7 months but I dont like to leave things unattended. The electrolyte level stayed up. If I had to choose a way to charge when unattended I would choose my Bogart quality stuff over leaving a 120 volt device on charge.
After seeing things like coffee makers, toasters or microwaves that suddenly catch fire when people are not home, the safest way to store is with no energy flow. With solar or 120 the chances of trouble are extremely small but there is always risk. If the battery is sitting there with nothing attached it is as safe as it can be. It could cost some life but that is the trade off or cost of wanting it as safe as possible and not thinking about it.
I would also say that when I did charge that bank for 7 months I placed the batteries in a place on my property that would be the least expensive to replace and the farthest away from more valuable buildings.
My lawn tractor sits for 7 months and also gets little use year after year and the battery life is good.
After seeing things like coffee makers, toasters or microwaves that suddenly catch fire when people are not home, the safest way to store is with no energy flow. With solar or 120 the chances of trouble are extremely small but there is always risk. If the battery is sitting there with nothing attached it is as safe as it can be. It could cost some life but that is the trade off or cost of wanting it as safe as possible and not thinking about it.
I would also say that when I did charge that bank for 7 months I placed the batteries in a place on my property that would be the least expensive to replace and the farthest away from more valuable buildings.
My lawn tractor sits for 7 months and also gets little use year after year and the battery life is good.
