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danielgraff
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2014 09:24pm
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I have a cabin located in a densely forested parcel of land. And I just can't bring myself to clear a large enough spot for solar panels not to be in shade most of the time...
So here is my question: does anyone transport a small battery or two home and charge them with a battery tender plugged into a wall outlet. then transport them back to their cabin? Is this a crazy thought?
I only want to operat a few small lights and a small surflo water pump to a kitchen sink so I can finally start doing some dishes.
We average about 4 days a month at our small cabin
(Sorry for the horably typing. Trying to type on this iPad is almost worthless)
Thanks
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ChuckDynasty
Member
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2014 09:43pm - Edited by: ChuckDynasty
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I made a power pack from a discarded jump starter. I replaced the dead 17ah battery, added a sunsaver 6 charge controller and a 20w solar panel for charging for car or trailer camping. I can run led lights and charge cell phones. if all you need are a couple of 2 or 3w led's this might be a option for you.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2014 10:03pm
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Quoting: danielgraff does anyone transport a small battery or two home and charge them with a battery tender plugged into a wall outlet. then transport them back to their cabin?
This is exactly what I do. Although we have solar power for cabin electricity I use a deep cycle marine battery in the shed to power my Shurflo on demand water pump. It's on a charger/maintainer while at home and we carry it back and forth.
The battery isn't exactly 'small' though. It's the size and weight of a car battery. I haven't tried smaller batteries.
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Ontario lakeside
Member
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# Posted: 27 Dec 2014 10:18pm
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we did that for 2 summers and it works fine. we rotated two 17amp hour batteries. This summer I installed a 90watt solar panel and a charge controller and it keeps the two batteries topped up, no more lugging back and forth!
have a look at my videos for more info.
good luck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftQ1fsBOirc
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 11:18am
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A couple questions:
What is your water source and do you have one you can get water from without a pump?
Can you drive to the cabin?
Have you considered paper plates?
Have you looked at hand pumps?
Seems the electric pump is the root problem, so how could you work around it?
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NhLiving
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 11:43am
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I carry 2 small 12v sealed batteries to and from nearly every weekend. Charge them on a float at home and they last the weekend for Charging other batteries and some lighting and 12v items. I have a similar problem with getting Direct sunlight on my panel so i cant rely on it at the moment. I thought of putting a couple smaller panels up in a tree to get direct sunlight without having to kill too many innocent trees.
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danielgraff
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 12:05pm
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Groingo: We do drive, I can almost park next to the front door. Yes to all paper plates, plastic cups, etc. It's the pots, pans and the like that are a pain.
For water, I'm looking at a 200+ gallon, above ground, plastic tank or similar.
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sparky1
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 01:24pm
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the more you transport batterys (vibrations etc) the more the plates fall apart.
you can also Top charge them while driving with a good Hookup. off vehicle alternator.
to bad you can't efficiently do some solar. DC power doesn't like distance.to much resistance. in wiring & connections.
good luck in your project.
sparky1.
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Wilbour
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2014 04:43pm
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I just received a battery pack from my wife. It's one of those combo compressor, DC, AC,USB and car booster. I use to take 3 separate items in the car. Now it does all that in one. I don't run much AC stuff but I like to charge my phone each night.
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sparky1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2014 09:07am
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My work van has (2) battery's, charged while driven, my BOV has (2) also, but the second battery also has a 15 watt solar panel attached to it when parked.
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