How do I maintain the battery for the motor movers? (2 Viewers)

[SheikhLala]

So, we picked up our new to us trailer yesterday, which has dual motor movers and a chequer plate box with battery and associated electronics. I've currently put my Ctek mxs 5 on it to charger the battery but can I use a small solar panel to keep it topped up? If I can, does it need to have some sort of mppt or could just use crocodile clips straight to the terminals?

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

Why not use the towbar wiring to charge it while you are travelling? Use pin 9 on a 13 pin set up. If you're not sure about electrics go to a tow bar installer.

 

[zac]

Why not use the towbar wiring to charge it while you are travelling? Use pin 9 on a 13 pin set up. If you're not sure about electrics go to a tow bar installer.

We've done that and it works whilst towing but our issue came when it was parked up for long periods of time. I went through 3 lead acid batteries since I brought it which was approx 6 years ago now. Recently swapped the lead acid for a lithium as I had 2 x 100ah spare after changing the motorhome one for a 460ah lithium. This has been very good although only been 6 months so still early days. Don't have to worry about it now when not using it for long periods

 

[autorouter]

Small solar panels (up to about 20W) can be clipped to a 100Ah battery directly, without a controller. They are quite popular in the windscreen of cars parked on the street to keep the starter battery topped up if parked for long periods. Anything bigger needs a controller to avoid overcharging. The problem is then that the controller takes a finite amount of power itself, so probably at least a 50W panel is required if using a controller.

 

[SheikhLala]

Small solar panels (up to about 20W) can be clipped to a 100Ah battery directly, without a controller. They are quite popular in the windscreen of cars parked on the street to keep the starter battery topped up if parked for long periods. Anything bigger needs a controller to avoid overcharging. The problem is then that the controller takes a finite amount of power itself, so probably at least a 50W panel is required if using a controller.

I think I just need something to keep it topped up when not being used. We’ve got a few smallish weekends away and then France again in August/September, which is why we’ve bought the trailer.
Thank you, great info.

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[vintageb3]

Small solar panels (up to about 20W) can be clipped to a 100Ah battery directly, without a controller. They are quite popular in the windscreen of cars parked on the street to keep the starter battery topped up if parked for long periods. Anything bigger needs a controller to avoid overcharging. The problem is then that the controller takes a finite amount of power itself, so probably at least a 50W panel is required if using a controller.

I wouldn't personally add any solar panel without a solar regulator but do agree a 50W panel with regulator is worth the extra money.