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Subject Topic: Battery maintenance when MH stored
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PersonJimmyn
24/9/2017 at 9:31pm
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Hi,

Will be storing MH for winter away from home so no EHU. Has anyone got a recommendation for a solar trickle charger to main battery? Don’t want to have to keep taking it out for a run.


Thanks

James


Personfleck2
24/9/2017 at 9:40pm
 Location: Derbyshire
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These are quality panels.

https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog/full/87-10W-12V-solar-panel-battery-charger-for-motorhome-caravan-camper-boat-car-or-any-other-system-with-12V-battery.html

Park facing south and prop it up in the windscreen. It will produce about half an amp. You don't need the controller for a panel this size on a leisure battery. I'm sure they sell them without.

Edit
Looks like the panel doesn't have a blocking diode so you will either need to fit one or buy the controller.

Post last edited on 24/09/2017 21:44:40


PersonJimmyn
24/9/2017 at 9:49pm
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thanks - would this work with the engine battery. Ideally looking for something that I can just plug in cigarette lighter socket without too much of a hassle


Personfleck2
24/9/2017 at 10:37pm
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It would if the socket works with the ignition off. Some cheap Chinese ones on ebay come with a plug on ready but I wouldn't trust them to keep a PP3 charged never mind a big battery.
How will you keep the leisure battery charged?


PersonCapt Lightning
25/9/2017 at 7:47am
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
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I think it's unfortunate that you don't keep the van on the road all year. I feel it's better to drive a vehicle regularly - not just because of the battery, but to stop anything stiffening / seizing.

However... is there any reason not to remove the batteries and charge them at home with a small trickle charger?

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


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Personfleck2
25/9/2017 at 10:01am
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Our van is garaged and SORNed in November, neither of us fancy trips in the cold. Britain in the summer isn't warm or dry enough so winter would be an absolute chore.
Each to their own though.


PersonCapt Lightning
26/9/2017 at 7:40am
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Neither myself nor Mrs.L like the heat, so the British climate is mainly fine for us. But my question still stands... is there any reason not to remove the batteries and keep them trickle charged at home?

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


PersonJimmyn
26/9/2017 at 10:45am
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might use if occasionally, so don't really want the hassle of removing the battery tbh


Personpepe63
26/9/2017 at 12:57pm
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On a slightly different topic,as it'll be left sitting, without ehu, don't forget to thoroughly drain the water system..
(by "blowing" it through using the "floe" procedure(but not necessarily their kit) if needs be..
http://www.keepfloeing.com/products-motorhome.html

I switched to draining down our last MH using the above method, after having our taps damaged by frost/ice, in our supposedly fully drained down van...
(we had an onboard freshwater tank, so it was easy enough to access the main feed pipe to pressurize it, without any need for the Floe fittings).


PersonIntend
02/10/2017 at 7:13pm
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Have the same query myself, hope to use it over winter but would like to use a solar panel to keep engine battery charged. Too long in tooth to remove and replace.

-------------
Intend


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Persongaryh3
03/10/2017 at 12:06pm
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I just use a Sterling Battery to Batter Charger connected to the Leisure battery and Main Battery.

Solar Charges Leisure and then when full, charges main battery.

Simple to install.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sterling-Power-12V-Battery-to-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-BM12123-/291810482784?epid=719402658&hash=item43f1429a60:g:vJoAAOSwYshUaiIH



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