Low Cost Solar Controller Question

[dasadab]

I just bought this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0191QN7OO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was going to use it to charge a 12v battery--Odyssey 65pc-1750-- that I have for emergency home use along with my new 100 watt solar panel.

Battery: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-65-PC1750T-Automotive-LTV-Battery/dp/B00249GW9S

Solar Panel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017OMTAV6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The solar panel will travel under the matress on my Hawk and be plugged into the rear outlet when it's not being used to keep the home battery charged.

My question is about battery conditioning. Do I need a more sophisticated charge controller that will do more than maintain the proper float on the battery? I have read about battery conditioning, but I don't really understand the concept.

Solar is fun! Thanks for the feedback.

 

[MarkBC]

"Conditioning": Are you referring to reconditioning to try to reverse sulfation -- break up sulfate crystals?
If you make sure the battery periodically gets fully charged, doesn't spend a lot of time undercharged, sulfation shouldn't be a problem...or so I've read.
(My Black and Decker "smart charger" (a garage appliance) has a reconditioning function. Are there solar charge controllers that do this?)

Then there's "equalization", which reverses/reduces stratification as well as reduces sulfation. But equalization isn't recommended for AGM batteries by most manufacturers.
My solar charge controller has an equalization function, but I have flooded/wet-cell batteries, so that's different -- they need it periodically.

 

[dasadab]

Thanks. That was exactly the information I was looking for. I think I was overthinking things.


Sent from my iPhone using Wander The West

 

[ntsqd]

"Conditioning": Are you referring to reconditioning to try to reverse sulfation -- break up sulfate crystals?
If you make sure the battery periodically gets fully charged, doesn't spend a lot of time undercharged, sulfation shouldn't be a problem...or so I've read.
(My Black and Decker "smart charger" (a garage appliance) has a reconditioning function. Are there solar charge controllers that do this?)

Then there's "equalization", which reverses/reduces stratification as well as reduces sulfation. But equalization isn't recommended for AGM batteries by most manufacturers.
My solar charge controller has an equalization function, but I have flooded/wet-cell batteries, so that's different -- they need it periodically.

One of the first that I know of to do solar powered desulphation: http://www.pulsetech.net/