Solar battery tender

GeneMO · Dec 12, 2009

I saw a post on here a few days back about battery tenders. I need several to put on my tractors at barns or shed that have no electricity. Some of these tractors dont get used very often.

Anyone ever have any luck/experience with solar trickle chargers?

Advice appreciated.

showcrop · Dec 12, 2009

I bought 2 a few years ago and they seemed to work well so I got 2 more. It's nice to be able to hook them up then forget about them for a few months.

OH Boy · Dec 12, 2009

I have a six volt one I use on the 2N and it keeps it fully charged. I dont even have the solar panel part of it in direct sunlight, it is just propped up in a south facing window in my barn.

smallercrawler · Dec 12, 2009

I use a 12v model from Northern Tool on a 10k dump trailer battery, have had it for several years, works well.

JDemaris · Dec 12, 2009

Depends on the size of the solar unit and the size of your battery or batteries. With a good sized diesel battery in a tractor or two in parallel, you need a good 1/4 amp capacity to be of any use. 1/4 amp at 14 volts is 3 1/2 watts. It takes a 5-10 watt panel to provide you that 3 1/2 watts unless you live in a very high sun area. My point being, if you've got a big battery, a solar charger smaller then 5 watts is usually a waste of time and money. A 1/4 amp that only appears maybe 4 hours a day max, and only on days with good sun is not much.

da-bees · Dec 12, 2009

Your question covers more considerations than you might realize. Briefly,"Battery Tender"is a brand name that makes solar and conventional chargers as well as devices that are used between a non-automatic charger and the battery to maintain full charge and prevent overcharge. The equipment is high quiliaty. If two or more batteries are at one location close enough for jumper wires,you can use one charger of higher capacity instead of multiple lower capacity chargers saving expense of equipment. IMHO any amount of charge albiet small,is highly benaficial to maintaining charge and life of battery. Very important point is the slower a charge the better. Exmp 1 amp charge is better for battery life than 10 amp.

JDemaris · Dec 12, 2009

In order for a battery maintainer to do a good job of preserving/extended battery life, it must be capable of keeping that battery or battery bank above 13.5 volts. A battery in good shape naturally loses 10% of it's charge every month. Two months = 20%, four months 40 % etc. And add to that a loss of 50% by temperature at zero F, the loss can mean a lot.

So, if one was to calculate with math, you'd have to factor in the total amp hours of the batteries involved and use a battery charger/maintainter capable of exceeding that loss rate.

JOCCO · Dec 13, 2009

Gene another option that i do. Take the batt out and put them in your shop hook up a multi conection and charge them all at once every month. That way you have a batt when needed for say some other car or tractor you just bought at an auction. I like this for tractors that you may not use for say 2 years. just a thought

Solar battery tender

GeneMO

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showcrop

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OH Boy

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smallercrawler

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JDemaris

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da-bees

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JDemaris

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JOCCO

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