Solar Battery Tender Setup

[Mathieu18]

I think I remember some talk about this a while back. I’m building a lean-to next month for the tractor etc., no power out to the land yet but I don’t want to constantly jump the battery (annoying if you’re shutting the machine off for anything) so was thinking about a solar battery tender that would not cause issues if left for a month and keep the battery topped off. Anyone set anything like this up and can let me know what components I need etc.?

 

[Scsmith42]

I have a solar charging setup that I purchasd from Batteries Plus around 10 years ago. Still going strong. It's on a battery that's on a farm fuel tank, so when the battery runs it's running for sometimes an hour at a time in 10 minute spurts as we refill multiple pieces of equipment.

Still working great. I recall that my panel is a 15 watt.

I've always experienced good service from products that I've purchased from BP, but unfortunately I think that they quit selling solar chargers.

 

[WILDB!LL]

Solargizer.

 

[Button Pusher]

Northern Tool has good selection of solar panels and chargers and controllers.

 

[Jeppo]

@Burt Gummer had some very small ones at a very small price. Maybe he still has some to sell.

 

[Tucci454]

Harbor Freight sells some suprisingly good solar stuff now. I have this panel and controller charging a battery in my shed for low voltage lighting..

7 Watt Solar Panel Kit

Amazing deals on this 7 Watt Solar Panel Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

100 Watt Solar Charge Regulator

Amazing deals on this 100 Watt Solar Charge Regulator at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

YOu could try something like this for $15...:

1.5 Watt Solar Battery Maintainer

Amazing deals on this 1.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Burt Gummer]

@Burt Gummer had some very small ones at a very small price. Maybe he still has some to sell.

Shipping him some today

 

[LTC Don]

Also make sure you are using RV/Deep cycle batteries in your equipment. They can tolerate deep discharges much better than regular automotive batteries without damaging cells. What that means is, less need to jumpstart (hopefully).

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Also make sure you are using RV/Deep cycle batteries in your equipment. They can tolerate deep discharges much better than regular automotive batteries without damaging cells. What that means is, less need to jumpstart (hopefully).

They aren’t designed for high amp output, like starting engines, especially a diesel.

 

[LTC Don]

They aren’t designed for high amp output, like starting engines, especially a diesel.

Ah, good point. I have one in my old Trooper, that stays in storage for months at at time, and it starts fine, but a Diesel, that's a whole different ballgame. 😮

 

[Mathieu18]

Yup thanks for the thoughts. Burt’s got me covered. I thought he had panels and I’d need other parts and pieces for the trickle charging, but looks like I’ll be all set.