At 07:41 AM 5/27/2008 -0700, Doug Braun wrote:
>My parents have a backup generator for their house.
>Unfortunately any time they want to use it, the
>starter battery is dead, and they're not up to
>pull-starting it....
>It seems like a solar-powered battery maintainer would
>do the trick....
Doug,
I don't know much about the solar chargers, but a couple of thoughts
come to mind:
1. The battery may not be their only problem. What are they doing
for fuel. Is it gas or natural gas? If gas, then the gas may have
gone bad by the time they need it, and gunked up the carb.
2. Storing enough gas is a problem also. They will have to use the
gas, say to power their car, and slowly replentish their supply.
3. What about starting it every 2 weeks to a month and let it run
for 10 to 15 minutes to charge the battery? Only cost is the
consumption of the fuel, which can easily be replaced (and probably
should be. Also lets them know that it does run!
4. How far away from the house (main power) is the shed. Why
not run an extension cord, underground, out to the shed. Then
when as storm is coming they could connect a standard battery
charger to the generator's battery for a quick charge. While they
are there, they could also start it to be sure it is working.
5. What about a battery jumper pack? They are cheap. Carry it
in their car incase they have problems with their car battery.
But when they need to start the gen. they could carry it to the
shed and jump start the generator. Then it should recharge the
battery.
So other possibilites.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair1948@cox.net
Va. Beach, Va
Phone: (757) 495-8229
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