| Author |
Message |
Perryaw3 (69.196.183.163)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 12:21 pm: | |
Princess Auto (up here in Canada) has a 5watt/12v solar trickle charger on sale for 55 bucks. Could I hook up just one to the first 8D battery of the 24v pair on my MCI to keep both batteries topped up while in storage ? Would the charge "spill over" to the second battery adequately and would a 5watt output need a regulator ?
I realize the obvious answer is to simply buy two for 24volts, but there is also the house 24v system (4x6 volt) so then we're talking buying 4 which is starting to get less economical !
Thanks guys ! |
CoryDane RTSII (66.155.188.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 4:11 pm: | |
I understand you question. Solar devices are not talked about very much. I have a solar array on the bus. I have 4 64watt panels.
2 panels each run paralleled (12v 128 watt) to a regulator. Each regulator runs down to the first 12 bank (I have 24v for the bus battery) and the second regulator runs down to the second 12v bank.
This "odd" arrangement has saved me $$$$ in battery replacement and I have some power to use at the bus. I developed this circuit because there are different loads placed on the batteries (12vdc) and charging was becoming, an event. BE SURE YOUR CENTER TAP IS ISOLATED AND YOU WILL REQUIRE A DIODE.
My Coach Batteries will have a 24vdc reg that will tap off of the same solar array. This can be done as the coach battery hae a very low charge frequency so the "SHARE" method should work well.
I don't know if 5 watts will do what you want. I bought one for the RV some years ago but I was never happy with it. With that big 8D sitting with NO LOAD, it may be able to hold her up but it will not have any affect on the second 8D. YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY TWO 12vdc SOLAR chargers.
The charge of one battery will not transfer to the second battery, it will require its own charger. Become familiar with FUSES. I would fuse at every point you are in contact with the battery, at the battery site. This is not a common way to connect the battery to a charger and you don't want those cables to get hot due to a fault somewhere.
Though the costs are coming down, if you are worried about the price, then perhaps you should stay away from Solar, it is a rather expensive experience, especially if you don't understand it.
I ONLY SUGGEST YOU CONTINUE WITH YOUR PLAN IF YOU UNDERSTAND DC CIRCUITS.
In my experience with electricity, and seeing all the problems it can have, it is easy for me to say that we control a monster(electricity) and when it gets loose, it can have a vengance. Thats goes DOUBLE for DC current.
Good luck sir
"Imagine"
cdc |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (65.134.2.190)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 10:09 pm: | |
You will frequently see a 24 volt Solargizer on sale for a lot less money than that on Ebay. It will help the battery keep a charge but not charge it. It also cleans the plates with ultrasonic pulsating DC. |
Perry Blanch (Perryaw3) (69.196.183.163)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 5:35 pm: | |
Thanks Steve ! Didn't know that, guess I'll start "lurking" e-bay...
Regards,
Perry |
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