Small solar charger to keep battery charged when in storage
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 at 16:52
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Rod E B
Putting the van into storage mode for a bit
Having just installed a 100Ah battery which I charge with a 100w solar panel when touring I want to keep the battery in good nick
my panel is the folding type , brief case style , that you put away , ie not fixed
I have read somewhere here it is a good idea to buy a small solar panel and keep it hooked up to the battery when in storage . The panel providing a trickle to keep the battery charged
I need to know what size panel to buy . Bias boating cattledog has three types .
one is 40mA at 16V and quote " helps keep battery topped up" - $40
another is a "trickle charger" - 120mA - $50rat3het
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Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 at 18:57
Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 at 18:57
Hi Rod
I would use a 5W or 10W Panel so check the specs, I would also use a small regulator or at least blocking diodes.
Regards
Derek from ABR
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 at 20:14
Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 at 20:14
Rod,
So why don't you want to use the 100 watt panel you already own ???
Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Rod E B - Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:37
Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 at 10:37
I was trying to get away from taking the 100 watt panel out of storage , as it is a folding portable panel , every couple of months and just have a small panel on top of the van all the time
5 watt or ten watt seems the go , need to follow - up on the regulator now
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Reply By: Member - Netnut (VIC) - Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 at 20:50
Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 at 20:50
G'day Rod,
I suggest you invest in a good quality 3-stage battery charger (or better) which you can take with you on your trips and also use at home whilst the van is in storage mode, irregardless of the weather. The same 12V charger can be in use whenever you are in a caravan
park if it's wired into your van's electrical system.
My camper trailer's 12V charger is always on when the camper's garaged and the expensive battery is kept in top condition.
As an aside, if charging your battery quickly whilst overnight in a caravan
park following a stint of
free camping is important, you should buy one that has a larger output than a charger needed for purely maintenance purposes. I have a 15 amp/hr charger in my camper trailer for this reason.
I also have a 7 amp/hr 3-stage charger at home for maintaining other batteries: rider mower, Engel Fridge, electric scooter etc. Very handy !
Have you read the information on "Power and Electrics" via the Articles tab on this web site. It's certainly worth a read.
Cheers,
Netnut
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Follow Up By: Rod E B - Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 at 12:52
Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 at 12:52
Thanks Netnut
makes a lot of sense
my thought were on solar , due to my recent venture into that field
not having had a battery , until now , in the van that needed charging I did not go down that track
my only other battery of any size , aside from the car , is a jump starter
As for the articles tab , I have only used the
forum , not looked at the top row
some good stuff in there
thanks for the additional heads up
Rod
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