Use of solar panel during winter storage

[Oldcatboatdude]

Hi folks,

I am a Ranger tug neophyte. This is our first time storing our 2021 R25. She is on the hard and hooked to shore power. Should I turn off the solar panel? My feeling is it can help charge the batteries. Dont want to burn out those batteries before get a full season in. What do the experts say?

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping delayed post.

 

[dclagett]

The solar panel on my RT25SC has maintained the batteries over the winter (under shrink wrap) for the last 3 winters with no connection to shore power. If you are going to run fans, etc. then you will need shore power. I don’t see any problem leaving the panel connected since you don’t disconnect during the summer when connected to shore power or when you run the boat.

 

[YukonRon]

I would say it depends on the charge controller you are using. If it is a smart controller that will manage charging then go ahead and leave it on. I leave my shore charger and solar on all the time.
If you have a dumb/old school solar charge controller that just constantly feeds the battery regardless of condition, then disconnect it and let the shore power charger do the work.
Edit: Just read your post again and saw the boat is a 2021. Assuming its a factory install, I'm sure the factory controller will be smart enough to take care of it without harming the batteries.

 

[knotflying]

When I winterized my boat I usually removed the batteries and would trickle charge once a month if they needed it by joined them together on a bench. This avoids worrying about overcharging or any other issue that may arise. It also is a good periodic maintenance item. At least once a year you are now cleaning all of your connections at the battery terminals and the wire terminals. Is it a bit of extra work? Yes. However, it also gives you an opportunity to clean the battery compartment and check the straps holding the batteries in place as well.

 

[KennyMarrs]

Hello,

As long as you're hooked into shore power you should be in good shape. The solar will be on standby if the battery charge is running.

-Kenny

 

[Oldcatboatdude]

Thank you all for your responses.