Solar battery maintainer

[Ray D]

I would like to maintain all my batteries by solar maintainers. 

Willl one solar unit maintain 4 house batteries (Parallel 12V)?
Will I need a separate one for the generator (12V)?
I know I will need a separate one for the 24 volt start batteries.

Would like comments, please
Thanks,
Ray D

[H3Jim]

One for each should do it, but it really depends on the wattage / amps of the maintainer, and how much power you want to put into the bats.  Is it to do the final charge, or just to keep it topped off?

I have one unit that maintains my house bats, and when they are full, it puts several amps into the start bats.

[Ray D]

Just want to keep them topped off during non usage...

Ray D

[HB of CJ]

Just figure out or find what the self discharge rate of your house set is, then figure a little bit more.  Also you might want to actually see what your coach is pulling from the house set.  Phantom loads can pull down the batts quicker.

Just get an appropriately sized wire(s), put the charger in the sun and let the coach stay in the shade, or under that carport, or even sometimes inside that garage.  This would also work on a slightly larger scale with the cranking batts. 

If properly sized to your requirements,  the maintance charge rate may not be large enough to required constant water topping.  And...I understand that AGM type batts will require no watering at all.  Very neat and quite doable.

However..don't go too big with the trickle charger.  I ruined two (2) newer 8D cranking batts by having the maintenance charger on "HI" rather than "LOW"  Boiled the batts bone dry.  Expensive lession.  $Ouch$!  HB of CJ

solar trickle charger Post