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10-21-2015, 10:13 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gilbert
Posts: 607
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Solar Battery Tender - Maintainer
I am looking to buy a solar battery maintainer for my trailer while it is storage. I currently have two 6v GC batteries in series. I think Battery Tender has a good reputation so I found the following. I will need to have this mounted outside, and I am not ready to mount anything permanent. Generally I am looking for something cheap to maintain my batteries over the winter.Thanks for any help.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Panel With Built-in Controller - 021-1165: Automotive
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...battery+tender
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2014 Jayco Jay Flight 32 BHDS
2015 Ford F-250 Lariat 6.7L Powerstroke 4x4
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10-21-2015, 12:06 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Since you are going to have shore power, why not just leave the TT plugged in and let the TT's battery charge controller care for the batteries. The TT has a smart charge in it and will keep them topped off (13.2VDC).
Don
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10-21-2015, 01:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gilbert
Posts: 607
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I am not going to have shore power. It will be in a storage yard.
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2014 Jayco Jay Flight 32 BHDS
2015 Ford F-250 Lariat 6.7L Powerstroke 4x4
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10-21-2015, 01:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nunyadamn
I am not going to have shore power. It will be in a storage yard.
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Unquestionably, you have to do something.
A solar tender is a good idea. But keeping the batteries in the garage, on a 120VAC tender would be better.
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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10-21-2015, 01:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gilbert
Posts: 607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike837go
Unquestionably, you have to do something.
A solar tender is a good idea. But keeping the batteries in the garage, on a 120VAC tender would be better.
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I see what you are saying. It is a real pain to move the batteries around for my trailer. Sometimes I will just go get the trailer and head out. Having to run by my house each time to get the batteries and install them every time isn't what I want to do. I would rather find a small cheap solar battery maintainer I can leave at the storage mounted on the battery boxes is really what I would like to find.
__________________
2014 Jayco Jay Flight 32 BHDS
2015 Ford F-250 Lariat 6.7L Powerstroke 4x4
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10-21-2015, 03:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Charles Town
Posts: 440
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You can get a solar panel for around 20 dollars that will do the job for you. Google it in and take your pick.
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2014 Toyota TundraTRD double cab 4x4 tow package off road package 46 gallon fuel tank
2018 Jayco White Hawk 23MRB solar equipped
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10-21-2015, 03:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
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I agree Battery Tender has a good reputation. I use a 120v AC version on mine, but I do pull the batteries each time it goes to storage.
If you could secure the solar tender I would think it would work well.
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2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
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10-21-2015, 04:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,478
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I bought the off brand one from Harbour Freight. I know that it works, because I have one on another vehicle parked outside. It allows the battery to stay charged about a week and a half longer than normal...the RV still pulls to much juice for this little panel to keep the battery charged.
Dan
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Dan
'16 Ram 3500 MC CTD Dually, 4:10 rear
'14 Ram 2500 MC CTD (gone)
'14 287BHBE (gone)
'16 North Point 377RLBH (current and hopefully last)
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10-21-2015, 04:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,692
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I would go with the larger one of the 2 you are looking at..
pull the fuse so there is no parasitic load on the batteries as it is winter and less hours of sun.
if you can raise the TV batwing and zip tie the panel to the support rods FACING South so it will get the most hours of sunshine and NOT be covered over with sn*w.
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
58days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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10-21-2015, 09:53 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DFW
Posts: 130
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Here is where I mounted mine. I put together a contraption that slides over the jack and has a side benefit of shading the electric motor.
Not the best photo and I realize I just have this one that was taken right before I mounted the actual panel. It is basically a rebar stand that slides into two short pipe pieces I have strapped to the jack. The hole thing lifts off. I used a 40w panel from northern tool.
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10-22-2015, 05:51 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
I would go with the larger one of the 2 you are looking at..
pull the fuse so there is no parasitic load on the batteries as it is winter and less hours of sun.
if you can raise the TV batwing and zip tie the panel to the support rods FACING South so it will get the most hours of sunshine and NOT be covered over with sn*w.
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2x
Sorry about my first post... I read it and went out to do some work on the TT came back in and forgot you mentioned SOLAR. To many blood tests, X-rays, and MRI's that morning at the VA:-(
Don
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10-22-2015, 06:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nunyadamn
I see what you are saying. It is a real pain to move the batteries around for my trailer. Sometimes I will just go get the trailer and head out. Having to run by my house each time to get the batteries and install them every time isn't what I want to do. I would rather find a small cheap solar battery maintainer I can leave at the storage mounted on the battery boxes is really what I would like to find.
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I should have ended my original statement with, "...for the batteries"
Pulling, transporting and hand-carrying a set of golf cart batteries is much more of a pain than the small amount of damage the batteries will receive while on a solar maintainer, connected to the trailer in an outdoor setting vs. the batteries safely stored in a garage and just connected to a grid-powered maintainer.
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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10-22-2015, 09:02 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Peachtree Corners, GA
Posts: 28
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I am going thru the same at the moment, I have a 7 watt solar panel hooked up to 2 12 volt batteries and am thinking of upgrading to a 15 watt solar panel with controller by Battery Minder Model SCC-015. It has the added benefit of a de-sultfator to help with extending the life of the batteries. It's not cheep about $200 list, they also have a 5 watt at $150 list. Better prices on Amazon.
I am thinking of sitting the panel in the window and the controller next to the batteries.
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Bruce & Caryl
2004 Designer 31RLS
2000 F350 Lariat 7.3L Dually 4 Door Long Bed
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10-22-2015, 11:37 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Just to throw some more [fun] in the game...
Is the storage lot secure enough to leave valuable batteries and solar panels outside?
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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10-22-2015, 12:28 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nunyadamn
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Take a look at RENOGY panels in the link below when you get a chance either the 50 watt or 100 watt Monocrystalline models. They have a PWM SOLAR charge controller that will take care of your batteries in the winter, and you will have the extra power needed on those long cloudy days.
You can put the panel inside against your window (for security) and run the cable through the TT and out to the batteries. Even without the direct sunlight it will still be providing plenty of power to keep the batteries topped off. Personally, I would go with the 100 watt panel. If you ever decide to take up dry-camping you have the basic system that you can build on (add more panels). Also, the price per watt is a lot cheaper this way.
Some of the members use the 100 watt Renogy panels and report having EXCELLENT results . I am sure that they will contribute to the post.
Don
Solar Starter Kit | Off Grid Solar Panel Kits | Renogy Store
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