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Topic: Solar Trickle chargers. (Read 607 times) previous topic - next topic

Solar Trickle chargers.

Greetings All!
Been lurking for a while with nothing to really contribute and dealing with medical issues.  Still planning on leaving the summer place September sometime and "hit the road, Jack".
Do have a question.
When I pickup the rig, I KNOW the batteries will be dead, (Yes, I know not the best thing to do but I had to store her in an emergency situation.) and I have plans for that, but my question relates to preventing this from happening again.
What is the general opinion on solar trickle chargers?  Not wanting to charge coach batteries but to be able to start the motor.
More Watts the better?  Do I really need 10W?  If I throw the boost switch, will the charger keep the coach charged while in storage?
Any words of advice?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #1 –
10 watts is not going to do it. 10 amps will and other than taking life out of the boost switch it will charge both systems.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #2 –
We use 270 watts of solar.  And a auto combiner.  Replaced the boost switch with the combiners control panel.

Finally fixed the issues. 

Once dead all batteries will need replacing. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #3 –
I have a single 170 watt solar panel that was installed last year.  I wanted to be able to keep my house batteries charged without  disconnecting them while in storage over the summer.  It does a very good job keeping 3 8D AGM batteries charged.  The start batteries hold a charge without the panels.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Moby –
  If I throw the boost switch, will the charger keep the coach charged while in storage?
Any words of advice?
Never ever use the boost switch unless it's an emergency or it's winter with dead engine batteries. Aside from drawing a considerable amount of juice, it just masks starting battery problems. No, never, never, never in storage.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #5 –
48 watt panel on my boat keeps 3 group 24 deep cycle up.  Same on coach starting batteries..  You are only trickle charging the batteries to overcome the small self discharge and parasitic draw.  If you disconnect them you will only need a small panel.  Remember 12 watts = 1 amp.  Full sun to achieve full output on most panels.  Then there is a thing called night.  So if the battery manufacture says that self discharge is 1 amp per hour (it won't be that high!) then you will need 1 amp hour x 24 per battery for 1 day. So allow about 8 hours full sun then you need a panel that puts out 3 amp hours per battery.  3 amps x 12 = 36 watt panel.  These numbers a way high but it's easier to understand with simple numbers.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #6 –
I use a 70 watt panel for starting batteries even though I have a trickle charge on coach batteries to feed start ones.
 Never have a  problem.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Moby –
If I throw the boost switch, will the charger keep the coach charged while in storage?
So, you already have your answer (above): Do Not Use The Boost Switch For This Purpose!

Keeping your batteries charged in storage depends on the storage conditions.  Plugged in, or not.  Covered, or uncovered.

If the coach is plugged into shore power, then the house batteries will be charged automatically.  All you have to worry about is the start batteries.  You have been around this Forum long enough to have heard about Trik-L-Start.  That is what I would recommend:

Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

If the coach is not plugged in, and is uncovered, then some type of solar charging setup would work.  Lots of threads on that subject here.

If the coach is not plugged in, and is under a cover, then you have a difficult situation.  Since removing the batteries is out of the question (for most of us mere mortals), about all you can do is disconnect all the negative battery cables.  That will minimize the self discharge rate, and with luck will allow the batteries to survive until you can start the coach up again.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: Solar Trickle chargers.

Reply #9 –

We are now storing coach under cover without electric hookup, so I installed BlueSea 6006 battery disconnect switches on house and start bank, and find batteries above 12.5 volts after one month.

Amazon.com: Blue Sea Systems m-Series Mini On-Off Battery Switch with Knob,...

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