BatteryMINDer® Solar Charger Controller 12 Volt with 15 Watt Panel

[flinchlock]

If I want to make sure my Interstate AGM (DCM0075 75 Ah) camper battery is pretty much always charged up, I am looking at this unit...

BatteryMINDer® Solar Charger Controller 12 Volt with 15 Watt Panel

Solar Panel Size/Weight: 12-1/2” W x 36” H / 9.5 lbs
Full year 100% money-back guarantee takes the risk out of trying this great product.
Five (5) year warranty covers solar controller except physical abuse.
Two (2) year warranty on solar panel excludes physical abuse.
MSRP $199.95

$139.95 http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-15w-batteryminder-solar-battery-charger.html
$114.05 http://www.rvupgradestore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=310

Most of our power use is lights (still researching LEDs) after dinner and the furnance at night time. We are not in or using the camper from 8a to 7p and we do not have a refer.

This unit sure looks like a very good choice and the price is great.

What do you all think?

Mike

 

[Jack]

AGM and lead-acid batteries have different charge profiles. The BatteryMinder article talks about lead-acid batteries. You want to make sure that the BatteryMinder has an AGM selection. Otherwise, it looks like it should meet your needs quite well.

 

[flinchlock]

AGM and lead-acid batteries have different charge profiles.
Very true.

The BatteryMinder article talks about lead-acid batteries.
Yes, an AGM battery still has lead and acid => http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html3. Wet Cell (flooded), Gel Cell, and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) are various versions of the lead acid battery.

You want to make sure that the BatteryMinder has an AGM selection.
Yes, it does.

The BatteryMINDer® is a 3-mode charger/maintainer/conditioner that extends performance and life of all types/sizes/brands of 12 Volt lead acid batteries. These include maintenance-free, marine, deep cycle, sealed, gel, and all popular brands of AGM dry-type, valve-regulated batteries, such as Interstate, Exide, Optima, Odyssey, Trojan and U.S. Battery.

Otherwise, it looks like it should meet your needs quite well.
THANKS.

Mike

 

[benburnett]

solar panel

The 15 watt panel according to the figures I have should produce at peak about .76 amps per hour for a 2 hour period. The rest of the day it will be slightly below that. I don't know how much it will help when you are using the camper but the one thing it will work great for is to trickle charge the battery when you are not using the camper.