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Solar Charger Question for Generator Starter Battery?

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1.7K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  Rolanalon  
L
#1 ·
Planning on generator shed but it would sit in a very very shaded area with zero direct sun. Running 120VAC to a charger in the shed is possible but not ideal and somewhat difficult. Prime genset power will be a 50 amp outdoor connector. It's a big generator still to be delivered so I assume a fairly large battery as far as generators go.

Thinking of a solar trickle charger but would need about 20 feet of cord to run outdoors routed mostly under a deck so out of direct weather to see any sunlight. Panel would get only a few hours of sun in winter under ideal conditions and up to 8-12 hours in summer. Be mounted on east/southeast direction with some blockage. My hours are estimates.

Most of the solar chargers I see the cables look poor for outdoor weather resistance. I live in northeast US, central MA.

Is this a bad idea? Any links to suitable panels/cables? Other suggestions to keep battery charged ready for power outage I haven't thought about?

You folks have been very helpful so far in my new journey
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
AKirkland said:
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.
Click to expand...
Yes, portable
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Murphy625 said:
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..
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There isn't enough space for another connector box on the exterior wall
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
tabora said:
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.
View attachment 17221
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Can't see your image. Marine application is good way to go I think
 
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