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Topic: Solar Trickle chargers. (Read 673 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?

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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.
 

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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