Solar tender

Question

So I would like to keep my battery charged while in storage with a solar system. Doing some searches here I can't tell if I need a $15 Harbor Freight unit or 160 watt unit. Cabelas has panels of 5, 10 and 15 watts with the controller. Would one of those work and if so, what wattage. Simply to keep the battery from discharging while in storage and probably getting some parasitic draw.

lwiddis · Answer

Twenty-five solar watts keeps my two T125s charged. Panel is in full sun and matched to a WindyNation weatherproof charge controller..but I keep the controller under a tarp. If you don’t cover your RV just get a real solar system.

sam_spade · Answer

IF....it has an appropriate controller, a 15 watt panel would be barely adequate for one battery.

In my opinion, if you are going to do this you should avoid Harbor Freight and get a "name brand" unit with controller in the 100 watt range or a bit larger. That will have enough capacity to do some real charging in addition to just float maintenance.

kd4upl · Answer

Only 1 battery? What size? Will you be using a battery disconnect switch to totally cut off all current draw or will you be leaving the LP detector, CO detector, stereo, etc. powered up?

cekkk · Answer

One battery, used for brakes when towing, not much else.  Group?  27??As mentioned,  may have parasitic draw occasionally.

son_of_norway · Answer

I use a 50-watt solar panel and controller that I bought from Amazon to keep my batteries charged during storage. The small panels are barely enough to deal with self-discharge, and will not handle any parasitic loads.

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Solar tender

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