If you have any good quality solar car battery chargers, please let me know. I've got too many batteries in items that are strewn all over (camper, generators, 80s, etc) I saw a solar charger in Harbor Freight but wasn't sure if it was worth the money. The batteries are a mix of starting and deep cycle and sun is plentiful up here at 7,000'
I've been REALLY interested in the BatteryMINDer, can charge up to 3 batteries, depending on which model you get. I've always wanted one, kinda on my wish list when I put my roof rack back on:
I've been REALLY interested in the BatteryMINDer, can charge up to 3 batteries, depending on which model you get. I've always wanted one, kinda on my wish list when I put my roof rack back on:
Excellent info; the second item can do multiple batts AND stay exposed to the elements. I think I'll pick one of these up.
As a general FYI to all, battery Sulphation is a leading cause of batteries going bad. I was an Interstate battery place last week and noticed that they had a boat load of used batteries for sale for $20 and blems for $30. When asked what they do to "recondition" the used batts, they simply desulphate them and charge them back up slowly!
If we were to do this at home, I have a feeling that our batts would last a fairly long time.
That product has been on that, man I wish I had that list. I see my car sitting in the sunshine all day and I try to start it and it doesn't turn because I left the dome light on, makes you really want one.
So you're saying you can buy one of those old batteries and desulphate it, and use it hardcore again? Sickk. I have one of those sulphated interstates in my basement. It holds up to 11.6 volts. The second its under any load it drops down to about 5 volts instantly.
I'd love to see one of these installed on somebody's cruiser!
I need to talk to the Batteryminder folks to make sure of two things before plunking the $150:
1) can the solar charging element be left out doors all year around? I think so.
2)can it charge up more than one battery at the same time w/o equalizing all batteries between each other? In order to keep the charging circuits separate, there would have to be individual charging cables coming out of this unit and I don't remember seeing this. Otherwise, what may end up happening is that the strongest battery will drain itself into the weaker battery until they're both at the same voltage. After that they'll slowly charge back up equally and slowly with the solar charger. I suppose I can live with that if it comes down to it.
edit: I see that it can charge 4 batteries but I don't see 4 sets of wiring kits. Minor point that needs to be cleared up. May end up having to order 3 more wiring kits.
I need to talk to the Batteryminder folks to make sure of two things before plunking the $150:
2)can it charge up more than one battery at the same time w/o equalizing all batteries between each other?
edit: I see that it can charge 4 batteries but I don't see 4 sets of wiring kits. Minor point that needs to be cleared up. May end up having to order 3 more wiring kits.
They are made by VDC electronics and they have a web site with better instructions.
"Q:Can BatteryMINDer be used to maintain and
desulphate more than one battery at a time?
A:YES, but remember the limitation of the solar panel
will determine how much current output your Solar
BatteryMINDer can supply to the battery. Normally,
up to 4 parallel connected batteries can be maintained,
if they are in good condition. "
The reason there are not 4 sets of wiring is because you need to have the batteries in parallel before putting them on the "maintainer" (not really a very good battery charger... only 1amp output)
The tech services dept cleared it: have all batteries charged up then connect them in parallel for maintenance. He recommended running 14g wire from the control unit if the distances are less than 50'.
My garage rolling unit has a setting for 2, 10 and a 50 amp so I guess a 1 amp output from a solar that can float charge AND desulphate is acceptable. I suppose I can simply buy another 15watt solar panel to increase output if needed.
