Jump to content

Solar Battery Maintainer

SilveradoRST
 Share

Recommended Posts

SilveradoRST Enthusiast

SilveradoRST

Posted
Posted

With COVID restrictions, I’ve been driving significantly less and was wondering if anyone is (or has in the past) using a solar battery maintainer such as the one below?   It’s only 10W with no controller.   Will be using it on my 2019 RST.  

ECO-WORTHY 12 Volt 10 Watt Solar Battery Charger

 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017K6PH1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_R184PJ396YAFZZZZKS02?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

JohnH4260 Enthusiast

JohnH4260

Posted
Posted

I use a Battery Tender to keep my 2021 Sierra Denali charged. Been using Battery Tenders for all my vehicles since 1997, and have never had a problem. They do require a plug though. 

ftwhite Enthusiast

ftwhite

Posted
Posted

I use one on my boat for winter storage. It gets stored in a big boat yard storage rack with no access to power. So, my options are take the battery home to a plug in tender, or leave it on the solar charger.

I don't have that brand, and don't recall the brand I have, but it works just fine. Even up here in the PacificNorthwest with little sun light in the winters 😉

 

My only fear has been theft, but it hasn't happened so far. 

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted

I thought our vehicles had battery run down protecting built in to them?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Transient said:

I thought our vehicles had battery run down protecting built in to them?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

Isn't that for shutting off accessories and lights xyz minutes after engine shut-off? 

 

Even in shipping mode they probably draw a small amount of current.

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted
On 4/21/2021 at 9:59 PM, SilveradoRST said:

With COVID restrictions, I’ve been driving significantly less and was wondering if anyone is (or has in the past) using a solar battery maintainer such as the one below?   It’s only 10W with no controller.   Will be using it on my 2019 RST.  

ECO-WORTHY 12 Volt 10 Watt Solar Battery Charger

 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B017K6PH1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_R184PJ396YAFZZZZKS02?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

How long are you planning to have it parked? 

Detail description of that one makes it seem like only a trickle charger and not a 'battery maintainer'. 

 

 

 

 

SilveradoRST Enthusiast

SilveradoRST

Posted
  • Author
Posted
10 minutes ago, redwngr said:

How long are you planning to have it parked? 

Detail description of that one makes it seem like only a trickle charger and not a 'battery maintainer'. 

 

 

 

 

I’m driving maybe once every 2-3 months.  And that would be a short drive, 20km or so.  Should I look for a different product? 

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

I'd be looking for a 'maintainer' from somebody like Deltran (makers of the Battery Tender  brand)

https://www.batterytender.com/

 

They make maintainers that are corded, and I think they also have solar powered ones. 

 

Doesn't take a very big maintainer to overcome the parasitic draw when 

 

 

20 km one every couple months sure isn't much running.  Probably not enough to even get the oil up to full operating temperature.

 

Anyway, you could probably also put the truck back in 'Transport mode' to reduce the draw on the battery when truck is out of use.

 

 

Info about Transport mode, and the normal BCM 'sleep' mode.

 

 Battery Saver Mode (Transport Mode)


Battery saver mode (transport mode) reduces the parasitic load of some modules during overseas shipment or during vehicle storage conditions.

This improves the drain time on the battery (up to 70 days without the battery going dead). When a vehicle is in transport/storage, some features may have reduced functionality while in the battery saver mode, such as disabling keyless entry, after blow, and content theft features.

 

Battery saver mode is initiated by turning on the hazard flashers, applying the brake pedal, and then turning the ignition key to the start position or pushing the ignition mode switch with the foot on the brake for greater than 15 seconds. The mode is disengaged by
repeating the previous process. The driver information center (if equipped) will display Transport Mode is On when battery saver mode is enabled and Transport Mode is Off when battery saver mode is disabled.

 

For vehicles not equipped with a driver information center, the battery indicator light will constantly flash on the Instrument Cluster when battery saver mode is enabled. This feature can be used as many times as necessary if the vehicle is to be stored for an extended period of time.
 

BCM Awake/Sleep States


The BCM is able to control or perform all of the BCM functions in the awake state. The BCM enters the sleep state when active control or normal monitoring of system functions has stopped and a time limit has passed. The BCM must detect certain wake-up inputs before entering the awake state. The BCM monitors for these inputs during the sleep state.
 

The BCM will enter the awake state if any of the following wake-up inputs are detected:
• Activity on the serial data line
• Detection of a battery reconnect
• Any door open signal
• Headlamps ON
• Key-in-ignition
• Ignition ON
• Park lamps ON
• Keyless entry or remote start message
 

The BCM will enter a sleep state when all of the following conditions exist:
• The ignition switch is OFF, key out.
• Ignition OFF, transmitter is out of range
• No activity exists on the serial data line.
• No outputs are commanded.
• No delay timers are actively counting.
• No wake-up inputs are present.
If all these conditions are met, the BCM will enter a low power or sleep condition.

 

 

  • Like 2
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

IMO

I wouldn't have a charger or maintainer that doesn't have a controller. An alternator regulates voltage.

The solar panel with controller I listed and have used works great. We had a cabin that we left a second car sitting for occasional use. This car could sit for 6 months during winter. 

It always started.

Brother in law has it now on a pickup that sits for long periods and it always starts.

For a few dollars more than the one you mentioned well worth it IMO.

The key is pointing the panel in the right direction to get solar charging. 

  • Thanks 1
  • 1 year later...
diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

OK Alzwaberdyn,

your question was answered if you read.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,902
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    whenindoubtuseahammer
    Newest Member
    whenindoubtuseahammer
    Joined

  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 236 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • davester
      My First Project and GMC has me stumped

      By davester · Posted

      are there any codes? with lots of rust, perhaps disconnect/clean both sides of the connection/examine cable ends (the wires) for corrosion going into the sheath & replace if necessary/reconnect ALL the power AND ground cables between the battery, engine, frame, cab, fuse box and starter charm.li (website) has a no-start diagnostic procedure you can work through to get it working.
    • Chuck FB
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Its no wonder you've gravitated to the oil types and brands you have in later years after trying certain brands and one being a specialty oil or at least very hard to come by up here and the other would have been a commonly found oil of the era and the vastly different outcomes as a result to using the vehicles in question the same distance for an OCI . It shows what marketing hype can do without actually having the product to back up the claims and that is no different now with the insane claims that are written on the side of a bottle of oil from some of the off the shelf oils.    What has surprised me and I was already finding this out before I bought my truck with the GDI engine, that this newer fancy technology that seemingly would suggest better fuel economy/emissions with this high pressure spray of fuel is not in reality kind at all to the engine or at least the oils life. Yet they insist on claiming long OCI with this technology just like they did with the port or similar type fuel injection systems when in reality its a step back in oil life to have a GDI system.    I think the mistake your making Grumpy is that your not sending your samples to Blackstone and getting the feel good glowing report that you can run it another 1000 or more miles and then send another sample where they say run it yet another 1000 miles and on and on it goes until your sending in something that looks a lot like road tar and then they may suggest you change your oil within the next 1000 miles 😆
    • Chuck FB
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      I am guessing that engines of that design back then had a better ability to be abused and survive longer than a new design engine with the long timing chain and the overhead cams and phasers etc. But I would never guess that an engine could go that far and not fail spectacularly or at least die a slow death. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      In the 80's 90's I'd run Honda's 7,500 miles between changes using Red Line HP 5W20 and do it for hundreds of thousands of miles with issues. Back in the day it was an SAE 20 with the HTHS of a SAE 30 and SN add load. It was also very polar. Oxidation VOA was over 120. Besides those motors were SPFI and lean burn tech. I could have likely run it longer but never did.    We had a Toyota bought new I ran on Pennzoil's latest and greatest synthetic of the day with "Penthane". A made up word for a very low dose of PAO. Tried 7,500 mile OCI's in that Group III/VI chemistry and the rings tapped out at 90K. Rocker box wasn't as bad as the one Punch put up but it wasn't good either. Also a SPFI motor.    I'm around 3,750 across the board on these GDI monsters and the oil it tapped out by then usually on TBN/TAN crossover and color. Red Line HP Euro.    The AMSOIL SS brochures tell you to follow the OEM values for the service class but that it can be run up to 25K if monitored. I can't imagine what motor could go that distance and not tap out. I've never owned one.    Yes, I know. Lot's of people do. I'm just not going to be one of them. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      I knew a guy in the early 80's that bought a new Monte Carlo and ran it a 100,000 miles without ever changing the filter or the oil. Just kept adding. It looked like that inside.     

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...