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Old 08-03-2017, 12:40 PM   #1
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Solar power to charge battery in Storage?

I looked at some of the solar power posts but none seemed to be what I am looking for. And that is, what do I need to get to just maintain my battery while in storage? I would like to keep it simple and I have seen at c.g.'s, some people's method of mounting on the pin box with pvc pipe. Looking for other ideas as to how to mount a small panel temporarily.
I know nothing about solar power hooking it to the rv. I figure that I would just connect it to the battery while in storage, but there is a connection on the front of the 27.5RLST that says solar connection. With no instructions with the new RV, I don't know where to start, what size of panel I would need, and do I need some form of controller to just keep the battery from over charging?
More questions than I have answers for, so I am hoping someone can enlighten me before my new battery goes dead. Right now I go down to the RV storage yard and plug in my truck and run it while I am checking out my trailer, but I doubt that adds much to the battery charge.
Any comments, or ideas for mounting would be appreciated!
Thanks
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Old 08-03-2017, 01:32 PM   #2
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Just curious, why don't you just disconnect the batteries while in storage? That is what we do.

And would be interested in the solar information as well.
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Old 08-03-2017, 01:44 PM   #3
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To start your reading here is a post that starts asking about batteries and ends (so far) with a little SOLAR.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...tml#post552742

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Old 08-03-2017, 01:46 PM   #4
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For the short term, I would go down and disconnect your battery if it's fully charged. Bring it home and charge it if it's not fully charged and keep it there until you need it.
Your problem is that you need a charge controller between your solar panel and your battery. !00 watt solar panel would be more then enough to maintain your battery. The controller has to be in a dry environment. Also your solar panel has to be attached to your roof to keep it from blowing off or causing damage to your rubber roof. I assume your solar connection is nothing more then a wire connection to your battery. If your trailer storage was very secure you could use a suitcase solar system which comes with a controller. The problem is that it is extremely easy to grow legs for anyone walking by and it really should be monitored for thunder storms or other foul weather conditions. They set on the ground and are subject to both thieves and weather. Not a great choice for unmonitored use. In short, solar is great but needs installation. It has to be secured to the roof and the wires fed down to a controller in a dry storage area that is close to your battery. Can be done but will take time and some expense.
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Old 08-03-2017, 02:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marine71-76 View Post
Just curious, why don't you just disconnect the batteries while in storage? That is what we do.

And would be interested in the solar information as well.
Marine71, just to answer the reason not to take the battery out, is years of back therapy and a wish to not make it any worse. I used to do that in the winter time and take in into the basement on a trickle charger. But not any more.
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Old 08-03-2017, 02:23 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bogadel View Post
I looked at some of the solar power posts but none seemed to be what I am looking for. And that is, what do I need to get to just maintain my battery while in storage? I would like to keep it simple and I have seen at c.g.'s, some people's method of mounting on the pin box with pvc pipe. Looking for other ideas as to how to mount a small panel temporarily.......
Questions:
- How many and what size battery(s)?
- (Ah rating)?
- Is your storage secure, which really doesn't mean that much if someone sees a SOLAR panel not really secured, it will grow legs?
- Is your TT parked in TOTAL sunlight or is it partially shaded?
- Does the TT have a Battery Cut off switch?

Do you ever dry-camp or stay overnight somewhere without shore-power?

Don

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Old 08-03-2017, 02:56 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bogadel View Post
And that is, what do I need to get to just maintain my battery while in storage?
Me too - and while I'm far from the expert, this is what I've kind of come to conclude:

- avoid the chinese eBay 5 watt cheapies
- probably a $50, $75 dollar investment
- 15, 20 watts or better
- figure out a place to put the panel where it can get sun, the cables will reach the battery and it won't get stolen

There are dozens to chose from but something like this is what I'm looking at:

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-20...attery+charger
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Old 08-03-2017, 05:52 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65 View Post
Questions:
- How many and what size battery(s)? 1 BATTERY small size?
- (Ah rating)?????
- Is your storage secure, which really doesn't mean that much if someone sees a SOLAR panel not really secured, it will grow legs?

STORAGE AREA is fenced and locked, others have solar panels set on ground,
- Is your TT parked in TOTAL sunlight or is it partially shaded?

Yes sunshine all day when its not raining!

- Does the TT have a Battery Cut off switch

YES

Do you ever dry-camp or stay overnight somewhere without shore-power? NO

Don

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Thanks, for the replies, lots to learn
Barry
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Old 08-03-2017, 06:22 PM   #9
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This what I am using. RV parked facing the south and parked in a storage lot. It works. Battery was fully charged when I hooked charger to it. I hang it in front of the gas bottles cover. If it walks, I am out $19.99.

5W Portable Solar Panel Power Battery Charger Backup for Car RV Yacht Travel | eBay
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Old 08-04-2017, 04:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bogadel View Post
Marine71, just to answer the reason not to take the battery out, is years of back therapy and a wish to not make it any worse. I used to do that in the winter time and take in into the basement on a trickle charger. But not any more.
I thought there was a disconnect key on the newer units. We now have 4 batteries and put a disconnect tool on 2 of the batteries to throw as well as the disconnect key. We have not used our unit since Memorial Day (wife had a total knee replacement) and are going out next week. Will check on the battery status.
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Old 08-06-2017, 05:51 AM   #11
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Please be careful of the cheap trickle chargers. They can damage the battery.

A good charge controller is needed to go the solar route. Check with the battery mfgs as to how to maintain a charge on a lead acid battery. Then determine how many watts you need to do that with the right controller. Also make sure you disconnect the battery from the house loads when in storage.

Then....make sure you go out and check the water level in the battery regularly.

Me? I just charged the battery up and used a disconnect when put in storage. Even after pretty cold winters the batteries were just fine come spring.
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Old 12-06-2017, 10:07 PM   #12
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Little late to the party...... but

on my 2017 29REKS while doing a walk thru with the shop guy I noticed a fuse in the front outside just under the nose (about a foot back from my propane tanks) and he told me that if I pulled that fuse it was the same as a battery disconnect.
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Old 12-06-2017, 10:25 PM   #13
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Great idea. I should have thought of that.

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