Solar trickle charger
It's usually 2 or 3 weeks between trips with my RV. Anyone know of a solar system I can use to keep 2 12 Deep Cycle batteries charged why the unit is in storage?
Forum Discussion
9 Replies
Kober wrote:
2oldman wrote:
For that short of time you'd probably be better off disconnecting them. If they don't hold a charge for that period of time you probably need new ones.
They're only 6 months old. I guess I'm just a bit paranoid. I know in the winter, cold batteries = dead batteries pretty quickly.
Hmmmm battery self discharge is slower when cold.- I bought one of the little solar battery chargers from Harbor Freight Tools for $13, and it keeps my batteries fully charged while in storage. I did disconnect the batteries from all parasitic drain.
- Actually, the exact opposite is true. The colder it is, the less self discharge there is, provided there are no loads on the bank.
I would just add a 100 watt panel with a charge controller.Kober wrote:
They're only 6 months old. I guess I'm just a bit paranoid. I know in the winter, cold batteries = dead batteries pretty quickly. time2roll wrote:
For the effort I would get about 100 watt panel and a controller.
https://www.solarblvd.com/product-category/solar-panels-systems/12-volt-solar-kits/
Disconnect a battery cable s/b fine for 60 days, longer when cold.
Yes, my batteries sit outside (disconnected) in the winter (below freezing) for 6 months and lose on average about 1/10 of a volt (0.1 volts).- I use a 25 watt solar panel (1.4 AH at max and about $30) on top of my RV cover and a small weatherproof PWM controller from WindyNation ($20) mounted to my propane tank cover. Keeps my two T125s full..TT electric is switched off.
- I use a Battery Minder 15 watt panel on my motorhome during winter storage. This is the first year I have done it and it worked flawlessly.
- For the effort I would get about 100 watt panel and a controller.
https://www.solarblvd.com/product-category/solar-panels-systems/12-volt-solar-kits/
Disconnect a battery cable s/b fine for 60 days, longer when cold. 2oldman wrote:
For that short of time you'd probably be better off disconnecting them. If they don't hold a charge for that period of time you probably need new ones.
They're only 6 months old. I guess I'm just a bit paranoid. I know in the winter, cold batteries = dead batteries pretty quickly.- For that short of time you'd probably be better off disconnecting them. If they don't hold a charge for that period of time you probably need new ones.
