Solar Battery Maintainer, AKA: Tender Recommendation

Monster5601 · Apr 5, 2020

I am looking for a solar battery tender like device for the battery that runs my dump trailer's hydraulics. I spent a few hours looking at and reading the numerous offerings which is overwhelming. I'd appreciate recommendations from those that have used a solar maintainer for a year or more with good results. I don't want to waste money on a solution that isn't the best or doesn't have a reasonable life.

I do not have expectations of the solar unit recharging the battery after a day of dumping, the trailer has onboard charging for that. I'm looking to keep the battery at potential during the long time periods I do not use the trailer. The battery has a small parasitic draw from the wireless dump control unit. Really looking to mitigate this draw plus a few watts.

Thanks in advance.

jbrumberg · Apr 5, 2020

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tend...ller/dp/B004Q83TGO?ref_=ast_bbp_dp&th=1&psc=1

I bought this unit this Winter. My tractor sat immobile from February 10th until March 24th and thanks to the solar battery maintainer it started right up

Peter 315 · Apr 5, 2020

I have this one and it works good.....BatteryMINDer(R) Model SCC515-5: 12V Controller w/5 Watt Panel Solar Battery Charger

Peter 315 · Apr 5, 2020

Some pictures....

jbrumberg · Apr 5, 2020

Peter- Nice setup.

Mine is well ah a tad more primitive :embarrassed:

sandman2234 · Apr 5, 2020

I grabbed a couple of the solar chargers when my company did an upgrade to the GPS tracking units on semi trailers. I then added alligator clips and all was great! Then I forgot I had in on the tractor when I jumped on to mow a small patch of yard...and the mower made a slight modification to it that made it no longer adaptable to my use. I guess I need to hook up another one, but the first one did last more than a year!

Slowpoke Slim · Apr 5, 2020

I just use a plug in cheapy Harbor Freight tender on both my RV battery and my riding mower battery. Not solar though, sorry.

How about just installing a battery disconnect switch to the battery terminal to stop the parasitic drain?

deserteagle71 · Apr 5, 2020

I've used one of these many years, works great. I mounted the 15w panel on the roof of the barn to keep the battery on my Miller Bobcat welder topped off.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328565_200328565

California · Apr 5, 2020

I used the $5 HF cheapie charger and found it boils the water out if it is left on continually, even though they say it won't.

And I've tried the HF license-plate size solar charger. Then a second one. I'm not convinced those did anything at all.

I see Battery Minder, Battery Tender, and HF's equivalent all around $30. Anybody have comments on those? Can they stay attached indefinitely?

TractorGuy · Apr 6, 2020

I have connected a 10W Instapark panel to my lawn mower without a controller without a problem.i put another brand 10W panel on my backhoe and it seems to not help or hinder. Much larger battery.

I had a 100W panel on a deep cycle battery for my cameras with a cheap PDM regulator that worked until the regulator failed. I connected that panel direct and burned up the battery. $100 mistake.

I see now that Renogy has a waterproof controller. I will probably order one of those if I ever use my 100W panel again.

I had one of those HF panels laying around. Ii recently wired a usb socket to it and plugged a camera in to it. When it's getting light the camera reports that it's charging but the rate is slower than the consumption. Camera is still getting down to 15% in about 15 days.