What size solar panel do I need to charge 2 12-volt batteries while in storage?
I am not looking to run off solar, just keep my batteries in good condition for 4-6 weeks while it is in storage between trips. I live in So Cal with usually nice sunny weather.
I have a 2001 Coachman that has only one house battery with an Onam 4.0. Most of our camping is dry camping (3-4 days) and the house battery just does not hold up. I have replaced it at least three if not four times. I have put the biggest (deep cycle) one in I can find but it still does not last. I put the battery on a charger for a couple of days before we go out and I have verified that it is getting charged by the alternator while driving and the generator when it is running. The last few trips I have just plugged into a Honda EU2000 generator and let it run all day and the battery just makes it through the night. I do not have a TV or other electrical appliances. All the drain comes from refer, water pump, lights, sensors.
I have measured and shopped and I just barely have enough room to mount two 12v Optima batteries side by side under my step. I am hoping the extra battery, with a solar trickle charge, will keep things strong enough so that my charge indicator shows something other than "low" the entire time I am in the desert and the batteries maintain enough juice to start my generator without having to push the "emergency start" button to get juice form the motor battery. My only other option seems to be to pull out the wleder and die grinder and build a bigger battery box for some 6-volts.
I am not looking to run off solar, just keep my batteries in good condition for 4-6 weeks while it is in storage between trips. I live in So Cal with usually nice sunny weather.
I have a 2001 Coachman that has only one house battery with an Onam 4.0. Most of our camping is dry camping (3-4 days) and the house battery just does not hold up. I have replaced it at least three if not four times. I have put the biggest (deep cycle) one in I can find but it still does not last. I put the battery on a charger for a couple of days before we go out and I have verified that it is getting charged by the alternator while driving and the generator when it is running. The last few trips I have just plugged into a Honda EU2000 generator and let it run all day and the battery just makes it through the night. I do not have a TV or other electrical appliances. All the drain comes from refer, water pump, lights, sensors.
I have measured and shopped and I just barely have enough room to mount two 12v Optima batteries side by side under my step. I am hoping the extra battery, with a solar trickle charge, will keep things strong enough so that my charge indicator shows something other than "low" the entire time I am in the desert and the batteries maintain enough juice to start my generator without having to push the "emergency start" button to get juice form the motor battery. My only other option seems to be to pull out the wleder and die grinder and build a bigger battery box for some 6-volts.