Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Bobstep on December 22, 2012, 03:33:26 pm

Title: Solar Battery Charging in Storage
Post by: Bobstep on December 22, 2012, 03:33:26 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 84568 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/84568)
We have started storing our coach in a location with lots of sun but no electric hookups. I am interested in adding a solar system for charging the batteries while in storage. We don't boon dock much so I don't need a system that will take us off of the grid. What have others done?

Bob AF9W

'05 Intrigue 11872 w/525 CAT
Title: Re: Solar Battery Charging in Storage
Post by: Jock Vargo on December 22, 2012, 06:53:09 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 84571 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/84571)
Bob,

I had a 100 watt solar panel installed in 05 for that same reason. Works great,

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428
Title: Re: Solar Battery Charging in Storage
Post by: George Sanders on December 22, 2012, 07:32:49 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 84572 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/84572)
Bob,

I stored my Allure outside without electric for almost eight years. I had 240 watts of solar panel on the roof. I set the gen start to start at 60% SOC. Used 2 Lifeline AGM 8Ds. The winters would get below freezing at least a dozen times so the hydrohot was set to 45 degrees running on diesel.
Over the course of the years the generator would clock between 40 and 50 hours of recharge time all in the winter. The AGM seemed to love the regimen as they were still in excellent shape at the end of that time. Never had a problem storing in this fashion.

George in Birmingham(currently near Atlanta) '03 Magna 6298
Title: Re: Solar Battery Charging in Storage
Post by: Bob Stephens on December 23, 2012, 01:14:57 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 84577 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/84577)
George, do you know what voltage you used for SOC?

Regards,
Bob
Title: Re: Solar Battery Charging in Storage
Post by: George Sanders on December 23, 2012, 07:58:09 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 84584 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/84584)
Though I set it based on %SOC I believe that it was pegged at 12.3 VDC.

George in Birmingham(currently in Atlanta) '03 Magna 6298