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Solar Charger on the Dozer:

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=203983
Printed Date: 14 Nov 2024 at 10:46am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Solar Charger on the Dozer:
Posted By: Codger
Subject: Solar Charger on the Dozer:
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2024 at 8:55am
I installed a 24VDC, 50W solar charger onto my dozer last week and really like it. Since the onset of stage IV CRS disease got hold of my dumbazz, I can't remember to shut the master disconnect off and consistently have to boost the tractor to start it. Anyways, I got one of these things, set it up at 4:00pm one afternoon on the two series wired 4D batteries depleted severely to allow a test scenario. 40 hours later I opened the battery compartment and the little annunciator on the charge controller showed the batteries fully charged. Mashing the start button the engine rolled right over easily, (as usual). I then did a couple of extended crank cycles with the fuel shut off to draw off the surface charge and then let the batteries deplete again to 9.6VDC each. Reconnecting the solar charger, I monitored again this time at 30hrs and they were still charging in bright sunlight. At 40hrs they were fully charged again, and the engine fired easily. I have a 1000A carbon pile battery tester on order but have not yet received it. I will give the batteries a good workout once that arrives but if I can remember to turn the disconnect off, they don't have problems retaining charge level. They were both new in July 2021.

Here is the one I purchased: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C811GT61/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3QZRVGKEACR7A&th=1" rel="nofollow - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C811GT61/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3QZRVGKEACR7A&th=1

I'm going to order a couple of the variants in 12VDC also as they seem to be good quality.


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A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.


Replies:
Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2024 at 1:37pm
I have 3 12 volt on top  of my 100 foot long building and use them especiallly in the winter just move them around to different tractors when ever I go up there and the batteries are always chargerd.

Posted By: Codger
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2024 at 4:21pm
My shop is 70X100 and is a steel frame, steel shell industrial building. I had it designed to fully cover the roof in solar panels and may yet do that. Not for charging/maintaining batteries, but rather selling generated power back to the utility provider. I keep everything on battery maintainers but the dozer shed doesn't have electrical to it so really like this panel. The mowing tractor, and chore tractor are also kept there so the combination of the three chargers would make things a lot easier overall.

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A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.

Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 7:23am
How about adding a big red light on the dash somewhere to let you know when the battery cut off switch is on?

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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY

Posted By: Codger
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 5:43pm
I did purchase an assortment of 16mm red, and green LED indicator lamps to replace the burned out incandescent originals there. On the same order also some clear bulbs to illuminate the gauge quadrant.

Also ordered the 50W, 12V variant from the same vendor as the quality is better than many I've seen. 


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A career built on repairing and improving engineering design deficiencies, shortcomings, and failures over 50 years now.


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