Solar-charging RV battery when not in use

solarkris
solarkris Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭
in Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems #1
I solar-charge my RV battery whenever the RV is not in use.  There is no load on the RV battery while doing this.

The setup:
- RV battery: group 27 Marine deep cycle hybrid, 12 volt
- 3-stage solar charge controller
- 40w solar panel on dashboard, gets sunlight through the windshield for approximately 5 hours a day

Q: Which of the following is healthier for the battery over time?

(1) solar-charging every day for several hours to keep it at or near full-charge

(2) charging it once every few weeks to bring it back up to a full-charge due to minimal self-discharge over time

IF the correct answer is #2, then what would be the lowest I would want the battery to go.  Maybe around 12.5 volts?

Thanks so much!


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Comments

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    IMHO, it depends.

    If "minimal self-discharge" means this is an AGM battery, the best solution may be to remove it and store it in a cool location. Constant charging/floating, especially if the sun warms the RV and the charging voltage isn't temp compensated, could be problematic. An AGM should be fine in a cool location with months between top-up charging.

    If the batteries are flooded, I would still lean towards #2, but with more frequent charging. If warm (and with no loads - not even small loads for things like stereo standby or alarms) maybe once a month. If cool/cold maybe once every 2-3 months. 12.5v is about as low as I'd ever want to let it sit for any length of time.

    In cold months, I don't charge unused AGM at all, and flooded in the boat maybe once over the winter. I had a small panel for floating boat batteries, but ended up not using it. I suspect it had no or failed diodes as in less than full sun it looked to be draining the battery rather than floating/charging.
    Off-grid.  
    Main system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
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  • solarkris
    solarkris Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭
    #3
    Very good, thanks for the input.  Forgot to state battery-type as flooded.  The AGM info is useful as well as this will probably be my next new-battery type.
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  • scrubjaysnest
    scrubjaysnest Solar Expert Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    #4
    I use a 25 watt panel with CC for 6 to 8 months to keep a second vehicle cranking battery up. Been doing this since 2012 with no problems.
    For the RV I keep 2 100 watt panels feeding the cranking battery and both house batteries via the CC. So far no problems.
    All batteries are flooded.
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