Reconditioned Batteries and Flex Solar Panels?

[2TheStreet]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I'm planning for my power needs, solar panels and batteries. I have a couple questions, I found a local battery shop that sells reconditioned batteries, they have a reconditioned AGM deep cycle batteries with 150 ah for $50 with a 1 year warranty and ones with a 2 year warranty for $100. Should I go with a cheap reconditioned battery or get a VMAxx battery on amazon for $310 shipped? [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]As far as solar panels, thinking of going with the more expensive flexible solar panels: [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][/font]
[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I like the flexible panels because they don't stand out as much on the van.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I don't want to bolt the solar panels into the roof but rather use commercial grade adhesive tape or some other non-permanent option. Any advice would be appreciated.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Btw, this will be for a 2004 chevy express 3500 cargo van that I'm converting into a camper van.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Thread for my van build:https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=13241&page=7[/font]

 

[SternWake]

It is hard to say how much capacity a 'reconditioned' AGM battery has remaining. It depends on why it needed the 'reconditioning.' There is only one AGM manufacturer that recommends a 'Conditioning' charge for when capacity loss becomes Obvious, and that is Lifeline.

If the 150 AH AGM battery, is the Lifeline GPL-30HTDeep Cycle Marine Battery:

http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marineflyer.php?id=4

I'd say for 50$ it is a good deal and will likely be a good value, IF they reconditioned it according to Lifeline's prescribed procedure, AND if You can occassionally supply it with a high amp recharge from a depleted state. Low and slow solar, even 200 watts will put this single battery back in the need for a reconditioning procedure after a certain amount of cycles, even if the solar charge controller flashes the green light( full charge) every day.

Check out page 20 Section 5.5: reconditioning.
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/manual.pdf


Actually, read the whole dang PDF.

Other AGMs, I'd not trust so much if they have this procedure done on them. No other AGM manufacturer will tell you this is an acceptable procedure.

 

[GotSmart]

This is what Renogy recommends to hold down those panels.  

http://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Indust...pebp=1434632772451&perid=0MW5MYMQGP8G1AZRXXR1

I have $50 reconditioned Fullriver 224's 6V in my van.  4 of them.  Done by a professional company, they should suffice as a savings.  

The panels should last you a long time. The batteries between two and ten years, depending on luck.  I would save the extra $50.  It is the same battery.  For $50 they guarantee it for one year.  For 2 X 50 they guarantee it for 2 years.   :huh:

 

[2TheStreet]

Thanks for the great responses!
I just called the shop and now the guy says he doesn't have any AGM batteries, just deep cycle marine batteries that require maintenance. I think I'll go with the VMaxx batteries. I'll check out lifeline batteries though.

I was planning on using power-grip pedal tape, superstring stuff. I use it to secure a camera on my motorcycle helmet. Expensive but worth it.

 

[GotSmart]

The Velcro tape does not void the warranty, and lets you remove it for safe keeping.

Look up other battery shops.  Battery Outfitters is who I went with. Battery plus, The stores have different names in different states.

 

[akrvbob]

I don't think I would mount them directly to the roof, they need ventilation underneath to let them cool off. It may not damage the panel, but I don't see how it could fail to reduce their power output.

I just did a blog about how a friend mounts his flexible panels by hanging them from the side of the van, click on blog at the top of the page or go here:
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/installing-flexible-solar-panels-from-the-side-of-the-van/

Bob

 

[rvpopeye]

I read Bob's blog today and hanging the flex panels that way is a GREAT idea!
I have a regular panel on my roof but hanging is probably in my upgrade future.
A great option for a roof with not much free space left , plus it creates shade.........
Everybody needs to check this out !

 

[2TheStreet]

I don't think I would mount them directly to the roof, they need ventilation underneath to let them cool off.  It may not damage the panel, but I don't see how it could fail to reduce their power output.

I just did a blog about how a friend mounts his flexible panels by hanging them from the side of the van, click on blog at the top of the page or go here:
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/installing-flexible-solar-panels-from-the-side-of-the-van/

Bob

Thanks for the link! That gave me a good idea, What if you attach the solar panels to PVC plastic pipes but have an attach point on the roof where the pole/bracket solar panel set-up can be removed to place on the side of van when you want to move it to take advantage of the setting sun?

 

[2TheStreet]

If decide to skip the flexible solar panels, is it possible to mount the regular panels non-permanently? If so, any ideas?

 

[highdesertranger]

roof rack. mount the rack then mount the panels to the rack. highdesertranger

 

[2TheStreet]

roof rack.  mount the rack then mount the panels to the rack.  highdesertranger

Roof racks are expensive, even used ones they want a lot of money. I'll probably just get the flexible one and mount them with power grip pedal tape, that way I can remove them if I want and track the sun for more power.

 

[GotSmart]

A set of racks will start at $60.  The channel will run you another $25.  Here is what I did.  

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=13118  

If you go with the flex and use the velcro tape, not only does it not void the warranty, but it gives you another way to mount it on other surfaces.  I asked the head of sales, and the tape will hold going down the road full speed in wind.

 

[2TheStreet]

Nice set-up! I'll sleep on it and make a decision in a week or so. Thanks for the info.

 

[GotSmart]

Nice set-up! I'll sleep on it and make a decision in a week or so. Thanks for the info.

The panels are not really noticeable now.  Let us know what you decide.

 

[2TheStreet]

Update. I went ahead and ordered 4 of the flexible mono solar panels and two dry cell sealed AGM 155 AH deep cycle batteries. I really want to keep my van stealth and avoid wind drag, so we'll see how they work out.

 

[2TheStreet]

New van build update video! I added 400 watts of bendable solar panels added, total system install.
Video link:

 

[highdesertranger]

boy amazon loves you. highdesertranger