solar panel & Vehicle storage

If you have somewhere to store the battery seperate then store it using one of those small charge n maintain 240v charges from Super Cheap and Dick Smiths that only charge at a small rate approx .75 amp.
Otherwise just disconnect the battery and leave it until you return and if it cannot be re-charged get a replacement.
Then again if the solar panel is secure and the vehicle cannot be touched then go with the panel.

Hi

I stored my GU for 8 months recently when I travelled to the UK. I disconnected both batteries (disconnected both terminals on each battery) and reconnected them when I returned. Suprisingly it started first go and both batteries were in full health.

The most obvious option woukd be to leave the panel connected. This option uses the logic that Telstra and others leave panels connected to batteries all the time and for a long time. However, they do have mobile technicians checking them regularly.

However again, last year I had a solar panel regulator "punch through" all the diodes, i.e no regulation and 19.8 volts going straight to the battery!! It almost fried a brand new Optima 75amp hour AGM battery. I caught it just in time - 18 hours. It did buckle the battery top a bit but the battery still performed OK afterwards.

But imagine if there was nobody there to catch it! Boiled battery and a possible big bang!

I'd disconnect it.

A minium output 240/12 volt charger could similar damage if it fails.

I'd leave it disconected from anything.

Better paying for a new battery than a new van or house.

Bilbo

Hi Skid

Fully charge the batteries and then disconnect them.

If it was my car I would rather store it undercover.

Regards

Derek.

do not store the car with the batteries connected - it is not worth the what might happen scenarios. if they are fully charged when you disconnect them they should be ok when you return. rgds

What about one of the small solar panels you can get to place on the dash. Only rated at a few watts so should keep the battery fully chaged without overcharging it.

Bob

I'm no expert and will defer to the specialists....

But I thought a decent solar regulator recognised full charge and stopped charging at that point. Hence it would be prudent to keep the panel, via the regulator, attached to the battery.

It's a pity Collyn Rivers has vacated this site. Expert advice is hard to come by.

Skid ,depends on 1 other factor that is not fully clear , TYPE of battery ?? if a sealed type as per AGM or GEL no loss of fluid so leaving connected will not harm the battery ,the pl20 will only supply what the battery needs to remain fully charged ,, If however the battery is a "wet cell" type ,starting or deep cycle fluid levels have to be monitored and checked regularly so a best option would be to fully charge then disconnect.

No question; ensure the battery(s) is fully charged and topped up, if necessary, then disconnect it from the vehicle.

I would also do an engine oil change shortly before leaving and leave the heater set to outside air and just open the windows a tiny amount. Might be worth boosting tyre pressures by 5 to 10psi too?

When you return; remember that some engine management units need to go through a "learning" process after power has been disconnect for a long period.

Mike Harding

Skid,

You don't specify if you wish to maintain a charge in the starting battery, auxiliary battery, or both.

The fact that you have a solar panel, I'd guess that you are mainly concerned with an auxiliary battery?
If the battery is an AGM type, it will maintain a relatively full charge for that length of time, disconnected from any power drain.

As far as the starting battery is concerned, I'd leave it connected to provide low drain power to things like the car radio memory and the vehicles computer management system, assuming it has one.

I know it's not within the original question, however do you think it may better to just give the keys to someone you trust to either start it up and drive it once a month, or better still, let them drive it if it was their own vehicle?

If it was me, rather than let the thing sit, i would give the keys to my brother and let him drive it around in the meantime.....

Andrew