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
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
If they're wearing shades, and are slathered in coconut oil, you got too much self discharge to store 4-months without a maintenance charger connected.
Seems to be the case. He said "when going up North for summer". Snowbirds or Mex expats.
Gringos in Baja leave their disposable "baja trucks" for summer with 3W panel sitting on the hood.
Without charging it will survive 6 months @90F, when new. Next year it won't start as easily, and in two more years you'll be afraid to shut the engine down when going grocery shopping. 4 years of life instead of 6-7.
With cheap controller and wrong setpoints I would be tempted to let it self-discharge rather than leaving current flowing. 2*6V cost more than starter battery, but running trailer lights is an easy task, they will be able to do this until the last few minute before they die.
