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mgfiest's avatar
mgfiest
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015

Solar Panel with Deep Cycle Battery for winter storage

I have 1 12 volt deep cycle battery hooked up to a 30watt 15amp solar panel it has a shut off mechanism when it reaches the full charge state. I used this to keep the battery charged when not in use. ...
Golden_HVAC's avatar
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
30 watts is barely 2 amps at 15 volts (the charge rate while running from a solar panel).

If your CO meter is still on, that can use 0.8 amps per hour, 24/7. That can use more power than that tiny solar panel is collecting in the short winter months.

I would suggest a pair of 120 watt panels and a 20 amp charge controller.

SunElec.com sells a 140 watt panel for $229. At least one of these will save your battery all winter, if you can keep the snow off of it!

Fred.

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