TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Discussion Forum

Batteries and solar panels.

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

BC Mike C

02-11-2003 17:03:07

Report to Moderator

If I was to use a solar panel to keep a 12 volt battery charged what size is suggested? To stop any corrosion on the terminals would regular grease be okay or is there a better substance? Can it be applied between the surfaces or should the cables be connected and then have the goop applied? Thanks BC Mike C

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

soundguy

02-12-2003 10:51:32

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Solar chargers are a great idea. In college, we did quite a bit with solar cells. The biggest peroblem to overcome is charge rate. Contrary to popular belief... a solar charger will charge a good condition battery that is otherwise just discharged... but keep in mind the charge rate.... a battery that charges up in 8 hours on an 1 or an amp and a half charger is gonna take a looooo ng time om a 100ma or 50ma charger. And take into consideration no charging at night, and only getting full charge in full sunlight.

I use solar powered electric fence chargers for some of my animal pens that are way out in the pasture, and they have been going for a couple years.... a 4v and a 6v model.

When I did electronic repair alot, I used to carry a jar of vaseoline with me.. works great on the electrical connections.. and easier to clean up than silicone goo . I see no reason why grease wouldn't work...it displaces moisture.. may contail metal protectants, fills voids to prevent air contact , etc and does a decent job at debouncing ( arcing on contacts for switches...NOT POINTS! )

Soundguy

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dale b

02-12-2003 08:01:53

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

mike. i have a hunt camp that is powered by solar. off grid, as they say.
i have 2 marine batteries that i fully charge at home. i have a solar charger that maintains the battery, not charges the battery. i use lights , tv , and a fan. depending on how long you use things, it will last for about 3 days per battery.
i bought my solar charger off ebay for about $20. it is the charger that came with the new v.w. jetta.it works good, and it was cheep.
i also have a crank up radis, and i love it.
sorry for not really answering your question...

there are solar charger that are used on a motothome that will CHARGE the battery, but they are lots of $$$
check on ebay under SOLAR and you will be amazed at what is out there.
dale b

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Don H

02-11-2003 22:12:10

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Not to familiar with the solar stuff but very familiar with battery terminals. When I was in the army they had us use grease on the terminals. It must have been the best thing money could by. If they could have found anything more expencive they would have bought it. Clean the connections real good then apply the grease before putting them together. The grease will be squeezed out and make an air tight connection. Do this 2 times a year and you will never have a bad connection again. I have not had a bad connection in over 30 years doing this. Don

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

BC Mike C

02-12-2003 09:41:39

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to Don H, 02-11-2003 22:12:10

Thanks Don, that's what the logging contractor down the road told me the other day. Said it works for him and now you have confirmed it. I drained the diesel out of my boat and gave it to him for one of his big machines, and he gave me a new industrial strength battery, and the grease advice, and that's what got me started on this discussion. It makes me feel bad knowing they may be sitting sometimes with out a full charge, but I will fix that with a solar panel. BC Mike C

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Upper Peninsula, Mich.

02-11-2003 19:57:30

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Hi Mike. I use a small 12 volt solar panel to maintain the charge in my 12 volt battery operated wild game feeder. cost about $30.00.You can also get 6 volt charges for the same price. Have used it for about 6 years and the battery is still fully charged. I run my camp on two 12 volt battery packs, charged by the gen set. I use a red spray on all connections purchased at WalMart. Find it near the car batteries. Good Luck. Ron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

BC Mike C

02-11-2003 19:16:32

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Here is some info on the units I looked at today.
A unit 14 X 14 inches 350 mAmps 5 watts $100-. A unit 13 X 38 1 amp 15 watts $200-. A charge controller $50-. The smaller unit looks handy but I am thinking it may not be big enough. I could use the unit for multi tasking, on the boat, the tractor, the camper, the truck that is not being used. When the batteries are near I use a regular small charger. BC Mike C

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

GregWis

02-11-2003 19:03:24

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Mike, If the panel doesnt contain one, be sure to put a diode in between your battery and the panel. Otherwise when the sun goes behind a cloud, your battery will be discharging into the resistance of the panel.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bishop

02-11-2003 18:43:05

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

Before I retired three years ago we lived in Atlanta Ga. My 52 8N lived under a tarp in Sunset La. It's still 6V and I had a $30 12 volt solar charger connected to it under the light colored tarp. I blocked out about 1/3 of the screen on the 12V solar charger and it was charging at at rate of 8 volts. It can not charge a low battery, it maintains the existing voltage.
You can buy bigger solar charger that can rebuild the charge completely, at a cost out of my budget.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Mountainman

02-11-2003 17:52:57

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

The size of the panel depends upon how many hours you expect it to be in the sun each day. Bright overcast days also charge some. Northern tool has some solar chargers in their catalog - I'm sure there are other sources near you.

I know they make a red 'goop' especially for battery terminals but is it better than grease? No telling.

I would put the goop on after the terminals are connected - clean bright & tight.

hth

Mountainman...CA

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

MikeC

02-11-2003 17:28:14

Report to Moderator

Re: Batteries and solar panels. in reply to BC Mike C, 02-11-2003 17:03:07

I don't remember where I saw them at but I have seen solar powered battery maintainers. Kinda like a small trickle charger that has a solar panel that you put in a sunny window.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy