Optima red top van battery isn't holding a charge.

[Basement Yeti]

I'm not sure DWH. I was thinking something I could put in my window since I haven't yet researched how I'd mount solar to my roof, so I guess it would be sub 50w. Maybe I could find a folding solar panel.

I guess my real problem is I am hardly ever anywhere with electrical outlets to charge my batteries/trickle charge my batteries, etc.

I do want to start investing in a bit of solar for my van though.

 

[TRegasaurus]

I would love a folding solar panel, but the cost is crazy high. I'm looking for a panel slightly smaller than the dimensions of my roof basket, that way I can mount brackets underneath and store the panel there when traveling.
Something between 65 and 80 watts should satisfy my power needs.

 

[Basement Yeti]

So those are pricey then, huh?

I wonder how those panels would even mount to my roof.

 

[dwh]

Fold up panels where the cells are mounted to cordura or whatever are crazy expensive. Folding panels where they are like a normal rigid panel that folds in the middle are only slightly crazy expensive.

For a van...

Well, I've thought about putting solar on my van - but I try to park in the shade and solar panels don't work for jack in the shade...so every time I think I'm ready to pull the trigger...I change my mind and don't do it.

If I was going to do it, I'd probably go with this panel:

http://www.solar-electric.com/kyso130wa12v.html

And this charge controller which can not only keep the house AND engine batteries topped off, but also comes with the optional remote meter and can also accept a remote temp sensor (remote temp sensor helps a LOT to get the battery *properly* charged):

http://www.solar-electric.com/modubachco25.html


But since that 135w panel only puts out around 7.5a - you could get by with a much cheaper 10a single battery charge controller:

http://www.solar-electric.com/ss-10.html


Mounts are no biggie - they just have to keep the thing from blowing off at 60mph:

http://www.solar-electric.com/dipozrvmofe.html

 

[Basement Yeti]

Wow, holy smokes. I never thought of that, I always try and park in the shade too. Also my roof vent is right ********** dab in the middle of my van, which impedes big panels.

Maybe I should get one I can put outside near my van.

 

[Basement Yeti]

I seriously think this battery is cooked. It takes less than 48 hours for a completely charged battery to drop down dead.

 

[ihatemybike]

What about wind power? I've seen instructions somewhere to build a wind turbine using PVC pipe and the motor from a trashed treadmill.

 

[dwh]

What about wind power? I've seen instructions somewhere to build a wind turbine using PVC pipe and the motor from a trashed treadmill.

It can be done, but you don't get much power. There is a formula for figuring out the watts you can harvest from X wind speed and Y rotor swept area. Bottom line is you either need a large rotor or a really good wind to even begin to get anything worthwhile.

For site installs it's generally recommended that the site have an average minimum wind speed of 10mph.

In other words, if it's windy enough that you need a constant supply of Chap-Stik, then a turbine will give a useful amount of power...if it's big enough.

I personally could build a working small wind turbine no problem - but A) how often will there be enough wind to make it useful and B) I wouldn't want to have to haul it around in my camper van and also add the setup/takedown every time I stop somewhere.


The other major problem with small wind power, is that close to the ground the wind is turbulent - so the doofy little turbine will spend half its time hunting back and forth which cuts its already meager output a lot.

Proper wind turbines are supposed to be installed at least 60' above ground to get above the ground turbulence. 100' would be better.


If I was gonna buy a small wind turbine, probably the only one I'd consider would be a TLG. Unlike EVERYONE else in the "small wind power" business, TLG doesn't spew a boatload of over-rated BS:

http://www.tlgwindpower.com/videos/tlg500_main.htm

 

[Basement Yeti]

What about a wind turbine located somewhere under the hood near the grill where air flow is directed during driving?

It's not like you'd be opening up more holes and creating more drag, there are bunches of empty spots where you could stick a small little cylinder shaped turbine.

Just a thought. I think I will stick to investing in solar considering how I will be primarily in CA/NV/AZ/NM/UT/TX, lots of sun.

 

[ExpoMike]

I seriously think this battery is cooked. It takes less than 48 hours for a completely charged battery to drop down dead.

Is this with NO load (i.e. nothing hooked to the battery, no cables) or with a load? If with a load, how much of a load do you have (not a guessimate but a actual load)?

What is your charging voltage? What is the at rest voltage?

There is a lot of info you are leaving out.

BTW, you could never give me another Optima battery, even for free. I have had a number of them in the past and my first ones years ago worked very well. The ones I had most recently (like 4 years ago) were total crap and had cells go bad on three different ones, in different vehicles.

Now I only use Sears Platinum or Odyssey batteries.

 

[Basement Yeti]

Yes, the battery voltage still dropped when everything was unhooked while I was working on my van. I measured for vampire power draw and it was about .25A. I did not test the charging voltage or rest voltage, my gauge says 14V charging.

Can I revive this battery myself with a quality charger like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-70...LO9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310760451&sr=8-2

I should have one anyway.

Could one of these be coupled with a 50+ Watt solar panel for off grid charging/tendering? Or would I need a solar charge controller as well?

Also would this charge/tender my secondary battery as well (They are wired together through a solenoid isolator at the top posts of each battery)

 

[wrcsixeight]

It is unlikely you can revive an abused battery. You need a wall charger anyway, so it's worth a try, but it is likely if that battery once held 55 amp hours, it might have 20 of those left to work with, even when fully charged.

Remember, you only rent batteries so at some point you got to cut your losses and start with a fresh battery, and do your best to keep it as near fully charged as possible so it can live a longer life..

 

[Basement Yeti]

Yeah, I dig. Are those chargers any good?

 

[dwh]

What about a wind turbine located somewhere under the hood near the grill where air flow is directed during driving?

If you're driving, then your alternator is making power so you don't need a wind genny.

 

[dwh]

Can I revive this battery myself with a quality charger like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-70...LO9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310760451&sr=8-2

I should have one anyway.

You'd be better off with something larger than a 1 amp charger. 10-15 amps is the minimum I'd buy.

Could one of these be coupled with a 50+ Watt solar panel for off grid charging/tendering? Or would I need a solar charge controller as well?

The "battery charger" plugs into the AC wall power. The solar panel runs DC into a "charge controller" which regulates the DC charging the battery.

Two completely separate charging systems (and the alternator is a 3rd).

If you get a solar panel, then you need a charge controller for it.

Also would this charge/tender my secondary battery as well (They are wired together through a solenoid isolator at the top posts of each battery)

Only when the solenoid is energized and the batteries are tied. If it isn't and they are isolated, then you'll have to charge each one independently.

The solenoid probably draws an amp or so...so if you had it turned on, and used a 1a charger, then the batteries wouldn't get charged because all the power the little charger puts out would go to running the solenoid.