Battery boomdocking dlemma.
We have been considering doing a bit of boon docking. We have noticed several opportunities in our travels. Unfortunately we barely get two days use out of our battery even though we have installe...
Forum Discussion
yes, the ideal charging current is around C/10. but with a flooded cell lead acid you can exceed that by a great deal without any issues.
First thing is to get a charger that can actually charge at a high rate. If you have a WFCO charger, common on many trailers the short answer is it won't. not even close. get a PD or iota 60A or so charger.
yes, 60A is well over C/10, but it won't hurt them a bit for the number of cycles you will use them for when dry camping.
I have often charged a bank of 2 GC, 250AH at 60A, C/4 and occasionally at over 100A C/2 at the start no issues.
next, stop charging when the batteries are around 80 -85 percent charged. or rely on solar to top off. by that point charging current is very low, and it will take longer to get to 100 percent than it took to get from 50 percent to 80 percent.
as for solar, we have portable panels. leave them in the sun day and night. yes, they could grow legs, but in 10 years haven't had any issues. That way the trailer is in the shade, panels in the sun. best of both worlds.
First thing is to get a charger that can actually charge at a high rate. If you have a WFCO charger, common on many trailers the short answer is it won't. not even close. get a PD or iota 60A or so charger.
yes, 60A is well over C/10, but it won't hurt them a bit for the number of cycles you will use them for when dry camping.
I have often charged a bank of 2 GC, 250AH at 60A, C/4 and occasionally at over 100A C/2 at the start no issues.
next, stop charging when the batteries are around 80 -85 percent charged. or rely on solar to top off. by that point charging current is very low, and it will take longer to get to 100 percent than it took to get from 50 percent to 80 percent.
as for solar, we have portable panels. leave them in the sun day and night. yes, they could grow legs, but in 10 years haven't had any issues. That way the trailer is in the shade, panels in the sun. best of both worlds.
