Solar battery minder recommendation

[Jmooney]

I looking for a basic trickle charge solar panel so that the batteries are maintained while in storage. Could be in storage for a week or two, or several months over the winter.

I suspect that I will roof mount, flat, just above the power closet.

4x 12v , 80amp

[Jmooney]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

I looking for a basic trickle charge solar panel so that the batteries are maintained while in storage. Could be in storage for a week or two, or several months over the winter.

I suspect that I will roof mount, flat, just above the power closet.

4x 12v , 80amp

BatteryMinder is the most frequent hit on the internet , but clearly states that mounting solar panel flat will result in water damage and failure.

I have to assume that the boon dockers have their panels up on the roof.

What should I look for?

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

I looking for a basic trickle charge solar panel so that the batteries are maintained while in storage. Could be in storage for a week or two, or several months over the winter.

I suspect that I will roof mount, flat, just above the power closet.

4x 12v , 80amp

80 amp? maybe you mean watt... if left flat in snow country they will not work as the snow will cover the panels.. they need to be tilt-able.
when I read trickle charge I came up with these
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ckle%20charger

[Jmooney]

Actually I meant that the battery array was 4 12 volt , 80 amp batteries

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

Actually I meant that the battery array was 4 12 volt , 80 amp batteries

OH OK... you would be better off with 2 Trojan T105's (6 volt wired together for 112) this would give you 220 ah and much longer battery life.

[Jmooney]

Yup - but they are new, so Im sticking with the 12 volt array for now.

4 x 80 = 320 amp hour.

In the end a solar changer, I think, is more concered with amp charge rate, that if the 12 volt array is in series or parrellel.

[Jmooney]

Re-posting in hopes of any feedback from anyone using a 15 watt Solar panel with a BatteryMinder ( brand ) product.

It appears to produce about 1 amp float charge.

I think the math says that it should at least maintain the natural loss within the batteries while in storage.

Anyone?