Solar Battery Tender / Maintainer

[Tapage]

didn't get much info on my search so .. I'm opening this mew thread since there are many solar options for reasonable prices right now on the market ..

So .. this it's the one that catch my eye .. as this one there are plenty others, more less same principle .. and sure the idea it's keep my batteries top shape ..

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Solar-Maintainer/dp/B004Q83TGO/?tag=ihco-20

Saw few that are just the solar panel and diode to avoid discharging the battery when there is no sun light .. this one have kinda circuit to " trickle " keep the battery charged and not overcharging it ..

 

[george_tlc]

The Battery Tender product line works well. We use the small single channel and large multichannel units to maintain a LOT of SLA/Gell cell batteries. They do the "right thing" in terms of charging, float etc. Can be left connected long term without boiling/damaging batteries.

So, based on the good experience with the mains operated units, I'd assume they've engineered the solar units to a similar quality level - after all they have a reputation to maintain.

And yes, most "made in china" chargers just have a diode to prevent any self discharge issues when the panel is in shade or at night.

cheers,
george.

 

[Tapage]

thinking in this 5W one coz I'm under the impression those 1W or 1.5W won't be up to the task with 2 of our batteries ?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have used the 15w model for a few years with good results. Recently I upgraded to a 3 stage charge controller just because I had an extra one available.

I also use the Battery Tenders 110v plug in for my moto's

From my camp Battery Tender make solid products

EDIT: I use BatteryMinder product not Battery Tender

http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-15w-batteryminder-solar-battery-charger.html

http://www.batterymart.com/p-batteryminder-plus-12v-1_3a-battery-charger.html

 

[scrapdaddy]

The Military uses alot of the solar maintainers, on their trucks. I have one on my 2 1/2 ton truck. They just maintain, cannot charge a dead battery. Keeps the sulfur from building up and shorting out the cells, I believe.

 

[Tapage]

The Military uses alot of the solar maintainers, on their trucks. I have one on my 2 1/2 ton truck. They just maintain, cannot charge a dead battery. Keeps the sulfur from building up and shorting out the cells, I believe.

How many watts ?

I have a batt chager .. a schumacher which it's good for that job .. just want something to keep batteries fresh ..

 

[george_tlc]

How many watts ?

I have a batt chager .. a schumacher which it's good for that job .. just want something to keep batteries fresh ..

You only need to put in as much charge as the battery loses a) self discharge and b) discharge due to parasitic loads such as radio memory, ecu, etc.

A 5W panel would in theory put out about 400mA at 12V. So, assume 1/2 of that for typical days and maybe 8 hours of that typical day that the panel is in the sun - i.e. your hardest job will be to locate the panel so it IS IN THE SUN.... That gives you about 400mA x 1/2 x 8 = 1600mA.Hr during a 24 hour period.

A "normal" vehicle will likely draw < 50mA "sitting there" all turned off. So, that's 50mA x 24 = 1200mA.Hr worst case draw per day.

So, this 'napkin' calculation would imply that a 5W panel should work just fine. Measure the quiescent current consumption of your vehicle (ammeter in series with a battery lead with EVERYTHING turned off just to verify what your vehicle draws while resting...

cheers,
george.

 

[Tapage]

Measure the quiescent current consumption of your vehicle (ammeter in series with a battery lead with EVERYTHING turned off just to verify what your vehicle draws while resting...

clear as MUD george .. thanks ..

 

[scrapdaddy]

How many watts ?

I have a batt chager .. a schumacher which it's good for that job .. just want something to keep batteries fresh ..

I'm not sure, it came on the truck, from the Military. I'll do some checking.

 

[terrx]

Another option is Batteryminder. They make 3 solar versions of their desulfation chargers, 5W and 15W kits that include solar panels and a 180W.

http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=SCC-005
http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=SCC-015
http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=SCC-180

 

[HenryAZ]

I use a BatteryTender 5 watt solar panel (021-1163) to maintain the 12v flooded lead-acid battery in my Kubota tractor. It keeps it topped off quite well between infrequent uses. I live in AZ, so sunshine is plentiful.

 

[Tapage]

after some good sunny weeks I had to tell 5W solar tender it's struggling to keep my both batteries in Tencha topped ..

 

[alia176]

I use this mammajamma: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328565_200328565

Basically it's a charging station for all things batteries in my house, LOL!!

 

[JCruse]

I've been thinking about this too. I've seen ones on RV's that supplement alternator charging when you use electronics while sitting still, engine off. One type I saw was a flexible roll-out panel that you can cover the roof with and maintain your second battery in a two battery rig, or the auxiliary batteries in an RV.


Here's one example of what's supposed to be the best of this kind;

Uni-Solar


http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Solar-PVL-68-PowerBond-112-Inch-15-5-Inch/dp/B002MWDI44


Review from the link:

I have two 68W panels on the roof of my 31' RV that connected to a Morning-star Sun saver duo solar controller that charge my House(camper)Battery and the Engine battery at the same time. So far after 9 months they are doing great. Install was a little tricky with running the wires from the roof (used the fridge vent) so I did not drill any holes and I stuck them right on the campers TPO style roof after cleaning it real good. As I said I'm very pleased with the battery charging power these panels produce. I do allot of beach RV camping and so far they have been keeping my batteries charged. "I would however shop around on the internet before you buy because you will most likely find them cheaper if you do your homework."

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