Solar to charge Car batteries during long absence

sean8n · 28-07-2019 9:54am #1

I have 4 car batteries, 1 motorcycle battery and one sit-on mower battery to keep charged during an annual absence of up to 9 months. The house is in an area of high sunshine. I would rather switch off the mains altogether and just keep the batteries charged from solar.

What would be the best setup to achieve this? And how should the batteries be connected and with what kind of wiring? (gauge, clips)

Considering two parallel systems: One 100w panel to one controller to 3 batteries.

And a third system, I already have: 50w panel to controller to motorcycle and mower batteries.

quentingargan · 29-07-2019 8:22am

If they are all 12V, you can just put them all in parallel and use an MPPT charge controller from your solar panel.

thos · 29-07-2019 11:35am

Sounds overkill.
This is what your competing against - https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALLPOWERS-Ladegerät-Maintainer-Automobil-Batterien-7-5W/dp/B074SFBT8K/ref=sr_1_6
I'm sure you could find some cheaper alternatives on Alibaba otherwise.

sean8n · 29-07-2019 2:49pm

Yes, all 12v. I want to run two systems for the car batteries in case something fails. Can you recommend a cheapish MPPT controller, it seems there is a wide price range but the cheaper ones are not genuine MPPT.

sean8n · 29-07-2019 2:51pm

"Sounds overkill.
This is what your competing against - https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALLPOWERS-L...T8K/ref=sr_1_6
I'm sure you could find some cheaper alternatives on Alibaba otherwise."

Nice bit of equipment but the panels on these solar trickle chargers are not designed for permanent exterior use.

Solar to charge Car batteries during long absence

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