solar battery maintainer/trickle charger? - Event Date: 29 Apr 2019 - 29 Apr 2020

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If you have (or install) a battery disconnect switch, or are willing to disconnect the battery cables, you can get by with a very small solar 'maintainer'. A 10 watt panel would probably do it. 
If your batteries are powering the internal loads (propane detector, radio standby, usb ports, etc) during storage you will need a larger solar panel (20-50 watts) and a charge controller. 

During storage, especially in the summer heat, the fluid level in the batteries needs to be checked at least once a month. Most flooded batteries will need topping-up with distilled water now and then when they are on a maintainer.

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podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Calendar Event: solar battery maintainer/trickle charger? Posted: 29 Apr 2019 at 1:57pm
	If you have (or install) a battery disconnect switch, or are willing to disconnect the battery cables, you can get by with a very small solar 'maintainer'. A 10 watt panel would probably do it. If your batteries are powering the internal loads (propane detector, radio standby, usb ports, etc) during storage you will need a larger solar panel (20-50 watts) and a charge controller. During storage, especially in the summer heat, the fluid level in the batteries needs to be checked at least once a month. Most flooded batteries will need topping-up with distilled water now and then when they are on a maintainer.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

stevo220 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2017 Location: Northern Calif. Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 29 Apr 2019 at 11:50am
	Hi, I have 2 6 volt batteries in series to create a 12 volt battery. When I am home from camping I want to keep my charged batteries at capacity. Is anybody using solar battery maintainers or trickle chargers? My pod is kept away from an electrical outlet, and I don't want to lug the batteries from the pod, so a solar charger would be best. Any recommendations? Brand? output size? I am assuming a can just keep a solar charger connected 24-7 until I am ready to take it out again. Thanks in advance... Steve