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Author Topic: Pandemic was rough on vehicle batteries  (Read 780 times)

rcjordan

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Pandemic was rough on vehicle batteries
« on: September 11, 2021, 05:01:59 PM »
Evidently from several different solar trickle chargers review threads,  these became really popular during the
pandemic as vehicles were sitting unused.

12 Volt 10 Watt Solar Car Battery Charger & Maintainer, Solar Panel Trickle Charger

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017K6PH1S


AGM batteries (required for newer vehicles) are $180-ish.  And AGM or FLA crap out pretty quickly if deeply discharged.   I'm going to slap one on the Dodge van (with its new $180 battery) I keep for a spare vehicle.

As it turns out, I had an earlier purchase of a 5 watt, aluminum-framed solar trickle charger in my old RV project pile.  I also had some 12v quick-connects to make a permanent installation on the battery terminals for easy mounting/dismounting.  The backhoe battery is on the brink of dying --has to be jumpstarted if it sits for a day.
I installed this trickle charger on the backhoe just now.  We'll see how long it keeps me from buying a new battery.
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ergophobe

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Re: Pandemic was rough on vehicle batteries
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2021, 05:33:33 PM »
We kept trying to figure out why the truck battery was going dead. It turns out that, as it was purchased in VT, they had installed an after-market battery heater at the dealer. It takes a tiny amount of charge and only if it's cold enough. We had never let it sit long enough for the heater to drain the battery. My wife was very proud of herself - she's the one who finally figured it out.
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rcjordan

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Re: Pandemic was rough on vehicle batteries
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2021, 07:44:17 PM »
After 2-3 hours on the trickle charger in strong sunlight the backhoe started.  I did NOT charge the battery today, it had been sitting 48 hrs.
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Travoli

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Re: Pandemic was rough on vehicle batteries
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2021, 01:34:01 AM »
I recently did the same. Installed a solar panel between the sunroof and sliding shade in the SUV. The battery drained a couple times during the pandemic. It probably needs replacement, but the solar charger is keeping it topped off for now. Good, cheap investment.
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