Your question about using a solar charger for your generator starter battery is intriguing! Integrating renewable energy into traditional power setups is a smart move, blending efficiency with eco-friendliness. Solar companies are booming for a reason – they offer innovative solutions like this one. Personally, I believe it's a fantastic idea to harness the sun's energy to keep your generator ready to kick in whenever needed. It's like having the best of both worlds – nature's power supporting your backup plan. I'd love to hear what others think about this clever setup. Let's keep the discussion flowing!

 

Since it is a starting battery, the generator will recharge the battery while the generator is running. After that, you just need to compensate for the battery's self-discharge while it is idle, waiting for the next start. My case is an off-grid system, so I use the generator more than just during the rare utility outage, but the fact remains that the one solar panel I have hooked up to the generator battery only needs to keep the battery topped up, it does not need to apply a bulk charge.

My solar panel is a 40-some year old nominally 12 volt unit, originally retired from the MIT/Lincoln Laboratory. It's so old I could not find the specifications for it. I have no charge controller on this circuit (of course I do on my main power system). You could do the same with a low power nominally 12 volt panel. It is in an ok but not great spot for solar exposure. I am, buy the way, in New Hampshire. Lowe's sells a product they call low voltage landscape wiring that ought to work. You should install an in-line fuse at the battery end of the connection to protect the wiring should there be a short circuit develop in the wiring or panel.

 

Since it is a starting battery, the generator will recharge the battery while the generator is running. After that, you just need to compensate for the battery's self-discharge while it is idle, waiting for the next start. My case is an off-grid system, so I use the generator more than just during the rare utility outage, but the fact remains that the one solar panel I have hooked up to the generator battery only needs to keep the battery topped up, it does not need to apply a bulk charge.

My solar panel is a 40-some year old nominally 12 volt unit, originally retired from the MIT/Lincoln Laboratory. It's so old I could not find the specifications for it. I have no charge controller on this circuit (of course I do on my main power system). You could do the same with a low power nominally 12 volt panel. It is in an ok but not great spot for solar exposure. I am, buy the way, in New Hampshire. Lowe's sells a product they call low voltage landscape wiring that ought to work. You should install an in-line fuse at the battery end of the connection to protect the wiring should there be a short circuit develop in the wiring or panel.

 

What's going on with the pictures in this forum? Is it just me or are they failing to load for anyone else?

 

What's going on with the pictures in this forum? Is it just me or are they failing to load for anyone else?

Happening to all of us I believe, Admin is working on it.

https://www.powerequipmentforum.com/threads/site-issue-with-photos.27440/#post-117170

 

Most of the solar chargers I see the cables look poor for outdoor weather resistance.

If you're set on a solar charger take a look into what the marine market has to offer.

 

I have a couple of simple solar chargers and they work well. Here's the one on my pontoon boat; it keeps the 35Ah battery charged from May to October, and then it's on an Optimate 4 through the winter.

 

2 amps worth of charger would be the number to seek.
from there you will need 3 times the rated solar panel current to make it work right on the bad days.
solar is ok but over time the panels would need to be replaced.

i think that in the real world a 120 volt run from the house panel to the gen shack would be a good idea
and make a 4 plex outlet in the gen shed.
you can run a basic good maintainer for the battery, and have room for 120 vac led lights in the shed for service work.
and be able to run a shop vac and or an air compressor for service as well.

 

^^^100% agree^^^

If it isn't too late, I'd try hard to get 120V @20A to the shed. May need it for other things down the road like a light, fan, batt heater, oil pan heater, etc. Not a big fan of the cheap solar products in general but definitely use conduit if you go with the solar charger. That cheapo wire probably won't last a season exposed to the elements/critters. MorningStar as prev mentioned is definitely good stuff. That's probably what I would go with if I couldn't get 120V out there.

 

I don't get it.. the generator will require an electrical connection to the house anyhow.. why not just run a 120 volt circuit to it and plug in a ($30) NOCO charger in to keep the battery topped off?

As for small solar charge controllers, off the top of my head, there is only one brand that makes a small charger that won't destroy your battery, catch fire, or just stop working.. that brand is MorningStar.. They make a small SL10 (about $50 to $60 I think). They are quality units. You will need to run the 20ft of wire through conduit or one critter or another will most likely chew it.

Victron makes a nice unit as well.. but they're even more pricey. The rest of them like Renogy, SunGold, etc.. they're all junk.. stay away.

You'd be far better off just running a 120 volt circuit to the shed.

Wow, just double checked the price on the SL10 and they're $100 now.. Holy crap batman! I bought mine for $25 a decade ago. It's still working by the way..

 

There isn't enough space for another connector box on the exterior wall

 

Since you are plugging into your house, I assume this is a portable generator. If it is a standby permanently installed genset with modern computer controls you will have a vampire drain on the battery. If it is a portable, probably no vampire drain. I got a 10watt solar charger without a charge controller,for my F250 and it keeps the battery charged. I wish I would have gotten a 20 watt solar charger with mppt controller to keep a constant battery voltage. With the present 10w solar charger my battery stays about 12.0 volts in the winter. Standby generator battery voltage should float about 13.3v.

 

Yes, portable