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Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? #7600545 09/07/19 06:14 PM
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HLo Offline OP
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What brand of 12 volt solar panels and 12 volt batteries do you have the best luck with? I feel like I am changing batteries more often then every 2 years and panels maybe every 3 after they get cloudy. Replaced 1 today that is less than a year old but I believe my solar panel maybe bad even though it shows 13 volts. I do not mind spending more on batteries or solar panels if they last longer. What brand of both do you run?.


HLo
Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7600706 09/07/19 09:21 PM
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Which maker is info I can’t offer, but I do suggest that you get a metal framed solar panel. Coons can absolutely destroy anything plastic. And metal conduit. Metal, metal, metal...

Dang coons....


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7600781 09/07/19 10:42 PM
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I have had the best luck with Intersate Power Patrol 12V - their primary purpose is Fire & Security (FAS 1075). They are say, $5 more than the no-name brands, but I feel they last longer and I certainly have a higher degree of confidence in them.

As for Solar Panels, I have no experience or recommendation to offer so I will be curious to see what others suggest.

Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7600929 09/08/19 01:42 AM
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Originally Posted by HLo
What brand of 12 volt solar panels and 12 volt batteries do you have the best luck with? I feel like I am changing batteries more often then every 2 years and panels maybe every 3 after they get cloudy. Replaced 1 today that is less than a year old but I believe my solar panel maybe bad even though it shows 13 volts. I do not mind spending more on batteries or solar panels if they last longer. What brand of both do you run?.


HLo, I private messaged you.

For the group, the only batteries I use:

Universal Power Group (UPG)
Panasonic
BB Battery

I would bet the Power Patrol batteries are pretty good since they are sold by Interstate Battery.

Keep in mind also that how that solar panel gets mounted has a huge impact on how much power it puts out. Mounting it flush against the feeder can reduce the output power by almost 50% (see Lambert's cosine law) depending on the time of year. This idea seems to be catching on for some reason by some feeder manufacturers and I think what is driving it is cost since they don't want to spend the money on a proper 45 degree mount. Bad idea in my opinion since it leaves the end user with less power margin.

It also needs a clear view of the southern sky. It won't charge well if it is blocked by trees most of the day. I'm not saying you are doing that, but just pointing that out for others who might read this post.

Last edited by Perforce Outdoors; 09/08/19 02:08 AM.
Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7615441 09/25/19 01:39 AM
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The wire on many solar panels is too small which affects the performance. Some panels will allow you to use a larger wire.

Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7615958 09/25/19 04:22 PM
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Ive had good results with the wild game innovations panels and Texas Hunter panels. I have sever 6 and 12 volt panels that are cloudy and still keep batteries hot.

The best batteries I have were bought of a forum member, I believe he said they came out of a phone system backup batteries. If I found more of them I would buy them again, they have been way better than the ones from academy etc.


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Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: HLo] #7615959 09/25/19 04:23 PM
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Where are yal buying these other batteries like the Universal Power Group and Power patrol?


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Re: Brand of 12 Volt Solar Panel and 12 Volt Batteries ? [Re: redchevy] #7616000 09/25/19 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by redchevy
Where are yal buying these other batteries like the Universal Power Group and Power patrol?


I know Lamco Feeders puts Power Patrol batteries in their feeders so I would assume any of their dealers would have them. Interstate Batteries stores have them but the retail price is high.

I will say buying batteries online is hit and miss. There are so many places that sell “replacements” to a good battery brand name. They even put the part number in the title. “Universal Power Group UB1270 Replacement”, but it will a lot of times be a knockoff brand. Amazon is horrible at distinguishing genuine from counterfeit.

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