Solar Battery Maintainer Install

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
I have four 12 volt batteries to maintain over the winter. My building is off the grid with no easy ( inexpensive ) way to run a line to it.

After considerable research, I chose to run four individual units, one for each machine / battery. I didn’t like the idea of putting a hole in my building but it’s sealed up and looks OK. I also have the option of booking up a LED panel to each one for some winter light.

Time will tell whether this was a smart move or a waste of time and money. So far so good.

14E150C7-46CD-4B56-8000-C78168D25ADC.jpeg
FD29AAEB-172D-46ED-B256-4673744CA0E1.jpeg
BA3EE6AB-8D81-4500-94C2-1E2AE81F496C.jpeg
BA3EE6AB-8D81-4500-94C2-1E2AE81F496C.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

ve9aa

Well-known member

Equipment
TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
1,202
972
113
NB, Canada
How deep does your snow get there in MO Larry?
(Around here they'd be under the snow by mid January for sure ;-)

Not sure what time of day you snapped the pic, but the panels look to be in at least partial shade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Joepa

New member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2021 Kubota M7060HD12, front loader, pallet forks, root grapple
Jun 22, 2021
21
4
3
Victor, WV
Do you have a parts list for the electrical equipment that you’d be willing to share?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Snow is an occasional and generally, a temporary situation. We may get 10” but it’s usually gone shortly there after.

I have these on the South Side for the winter sun. It will burn off any snow / ice pretty quickly.
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
I think I'd put them on the roof to keep thievery down! Looks good though,
Good point. They can’t be seen from the road so someone would need to be sniffing around on foot. I’m not keen on mounting something on the roof for a number of reasons. I hope the crooks stay away.
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Not sure what time of day you snapped the pic, but the panels look to be in at least partial shade.
In the shade now in the late afternoon. Those leaves will be gone soon so it will just be the bare branches to deal with.

Plus, they do pretty well with ambient light but of course, full sunshine is best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Do you have a parts list for the electrical equipment that you’d be willing to share?
this is what I used. I’ve had one unit for a few weeks and it’s been good thus far. It’s a pretty nice package.



The 25' lines did not lose me any charging power if my testing with voltmeter was accurate. I'm not an electrician. Just an amature.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Joepa

New member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2021 Kubota M7060HD12, front loader, pallet forks, root grapple
Jun 22, 2021
21
4
3
Victor, WV
this is what I used. I’ve had one unit for a few weeks and it’s been good thus far. It’s a pretty nice package.



The 25' lines did not lose me any charging power if my testing with voltmeter was accurate. I'm not an electrician. Just an amature.
Looks like my next project, thank you.
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Just an update from 6 weeks down the road. I've done a few battery checks with the voltmeter and everything thing is being maintained as expected.

I think this is a fine option for about $60 / battery. We'll see how it works for the long haul.
 

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,125
1,609
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Hopefully they work well for you. I tried a cheap solar battery maintainer that killed my good battery because it drained the power at night with no sunshine.

I bought a more expensive trickle charger and use it only once a month to top up my ZTR and motorcycle batteries during the winter.
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Pulsing it is an option. If they work as advertised, i should be good to go.

it’s been a month since last be run my truck or tractor ( that’s another story ) but I measured the voltage when I put the charger on and then a month later and they were within a few hundredths.

I’m calling that a success for now.
 

Plant 175

Active member

Equipment
Kubota Sidekick
Jun 3, 2021
108
55
28
Wisconsin
Interesting project thinking about dour that in mt shipping container. Is your stuff in a shed or shipping container? Can’t tell by the picture
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Interesting project thinking about dour that in mt shipping container. Is your stuff in a shed or shipping container? Can’t tell by the picture
I'm in a Steel Building / Shed. It wouldn't make much difference but you'd need a way to feed the line from outside in. I drilled a hole and use a weather proof electrical box.
 

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
All good as far as I can tell. My truck, tractor and UTV start right up and my mower is charging but sidelined until spring. Hooking them back up is part of my departure routine and it appears the batteries are no worse for the wear.

It's nice to go out and not have to worry about a starting issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
Hey there! I know this post is pretty old, but I wanted to chime in and say thanks for sharing your experience with the solar battery maintainers. It's great to hear that they're working well for you and your equipment is starting up without any issues.
18 months in and 3 of the 4 continue to work as new. I haven't spent the time to troubleshoot the issue but I feel pretty good about being able to figure it out.