nunogtp
NBVC, CA
New Member
Joined: 10/28/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
Can someone recomend a good solar panel to charge the battery?
2010 Skyline Nomad 261LT
2008 BMW X5
|
wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
For long term storage where 120vac is usually there (Assuming no power fails) I recommend a Battery MinDer or Battery Tender type product. There are several makes and brands .. I group them in two groups.. Basic (Which I use all the time) and PLUS (which I have in my rig's storage compartment just now. NOT conencted)
The basic type is 2-stage charger (Absorption/float) it uses a fairly high voltage till it senses "Full up" then it switches to float mode
The PLUS type is a 3-stage.. Absorption, Float and De-Sulfate/Equalize, which it's proponents claim will actually re-vitalize a battery that is starting to loose some of its edge... I do not know if this is true or not.
The reason there is no "Bulk" mode (normally the 1st of 3 stages) is .. These units are usually 1-4 amps max.. Not really a "Bulk" charge rate (which on my coach is 70-80 amps)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
|
pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/18/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Hi nunotgp,
Look for the number of watts per dollar. There is perhaps a tiny advantage to using Uni-Solar panels.
nunogtp wrote:Can someone recomend a good solar panel to charge the battery?
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
|
Rockiesview
Western Colo.
Full Member
Joined: 07/17/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Beware of phantom circuits draining batteries, one that is common is co2 detector. If it is not wire to the fuse panel, but direct wired to batteries with an inline fuse (automtive type). Look for a small guage wire (18-22 ga.) connected to the positive terminal of one of the batteries, follow that wire and pull fuse out for storing. Most everything else would be disconnected with installation of the battery disconnect switch installed in the "common" (negative).Another is power to radio/stereo system which has remote control feature, although these are normally fused in fuse panel and would be dead with a disconnect switch.
Best for long storage, lift cables off batteries, and they will hold fine for quite awhile.
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
nunogtp wrote:Can someone recomend a good solar panel to charge the battery?
Solar panel $2 per watt
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
|
|
|
