Crazy Idea to Trickle Charge? (Apartment Life)

[MattK]

Question: Can I trickle charge my batteries (starter/aux) from a power station > NOCO 10 > battery terminals on occasion?

Reason:

• I have no access to an electric receptacle in my apartment complex.
• I have a Bluetti EB70S LifFePo power station (Capacity:716Wh (22.4V, 32Ah)) for camping.
• I will be down for the count possibly soon for prostate cancer procedures, unclear still until some more tests are done next week. However, if I am going to be down for a while I'd like to find a way to keep the batteries semi-healthy on occasion by charging up the battery pack and then attach a NOCO 10 I have to that and gator clip it to the battery posts. The NOCO 10 is a charger/maintainer so hoping that will do the trick. If not would a smaller version of the NOCO work? NOCO 5? NOCO 1?

I have a solar panel that gator clips to the battery posts that has a built in MPPT controller that I tried with my going bad batteries but no evidence it even did anything to help them. I eventually replaced them and would like to keep these new ones healthy-ish.

I also have a 200watt solar panel for the power station. I could try the following:
solar panel > power station > NOCO 10 into AC side of power station > NOCO 10 to battery terminals. AC is not efficient since it's an inverter but it's what I got.

Thanks for any input.

Sponsored

 

[Jaxmax]

I’d go with the solar panel with charger that clips to batteries. I have one on my beach camper that sits from November until April, and only runs the propane/CO2 sensor but battery is good to go every year. Charging up your power station then hooking it up sounds like it might be a bit much for the first couple weeks , if it is that bad.
Good luck my friend….Jack

 

[Lost1wing]

Or you can take off the main ground cable either at the fender or at the top plate above the IBS. It should be good for months like that.

Since you don't have power available to leave a NOCO plugged in, you will need to put a charge on those batteries every couple of weeks.

I think I would go with a stand alone solar charger for this purpose. I think you will get tired of connecting reconnecting the setup you are talking about.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think I would go with a stand alone solar charger for this purpose. I think you will get tired of connecting reconnecting the setup you are talking about.

I have a couple of cheap solar panels that can be interconnected, and I bought an inexpensive controller from Amazon a member was using for his setup.
I've not messed with it yet but wonder if something like that would work.............
He can always set up connectors so that he doesn't have to open the hood to disconnect.

 

[MattK]

I have this thing I tried on my bad batteries to keep them going. It's the easiest option by far but I have no evidence that it actually works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y5TKMZ4

 

[fourfa]

I have 200W hard-mounted solar and a DC/DC charger that maintains the starter battery (after the house battery shows full anyway). It’s REAL NICE never to worry about the starter. It’s not a daily driver and might occasionally go two months between starts.

200W solar + inexpensive MPPT is the zero-friction way, especially if you can mount the solar somewhere safe like behind the windshield or up again south-facing side windows. Not sure that a ”20W” amazon panel will keep up.

 

[MattK]

200W solar + inexpensive MPPT is the zero-friction way, especially if you can mount the solar somewhere safe like behind the windshield or up again south-facing side windows. Not sure that a ”20W” amazon panel will keep up.

This could work. My Bluetti 200W panel is pretty long but foldable so at least most of the panels could fit across the windshield, we do have south facing parking spots. I just wonder what type of MPPT controller I'd get? I'm not very electrical savvy. Looking on Amazon they all have different amp ratings and plugs etc. Need to figure out what the 200 watt solar panel is in max amps I guess and get one that can at least handle that watt/amperage to be safe?

 

[fourfa]

My 200w panel puts out 10.74 amps at peak (pointed directly at the sun, and not too hot or too cold). Voltage changes a lot though, might be as much as 25 volts in the cold. Get a 50V input if you can

 

[Lost1wing]

I have this thing I tried on my bad batteries to keep them going. It's the easiest option by far but I have no evidence that it actually works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y5TKMZ4

I would give this a shot since you already have it. I don’t see any reason why it would work for your needs.

 

[SamJ3]

I have this thing I tried on my bad batteries to keep them going. It's the easiest option by far but I have no evidence that it actually works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y5TKMZ4

If you are using the 12V dash plug, this will not likely work because that circuit is only open when the vehicle in is ACC or RUN mode.

If you've already run a 'hot' power line (direct connect to the batteries or live power bus) into the cab (or are using the clips to connect to the battery), you could connect to that.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you are using the 12V dash plug, this will not likely work because that circuit is only open when the vehicle in is ACC or RUN mode.

If you've already run a 'hot' power line (direct connect to the batteries or live power bus) into the cab (or are using the clips to connect to the battery), you could connect to that.

Or like I do.....the trailer connector. I've got pics posted in the forums.

 

[bill61]

Or like I do.....the trailer connector. I've got pics posted in the forums.

Could you post a link?? TIA

 

[MattK]

If you are using the 12V dash plug, this will not likely work because that circuit is only open when the vehicle in is ACC or RUN mode.

If you've already run a 'hot' power line (direct connect to the batteries or live power bus) into the cab (or are using the clips to connect to the battery), you could connect to that.

I just use the alligator clips and run it to under the hood.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This converts the 7 pin trailer connector to a 12 volt outlet -

I adapted one of these to connect to my BatteryMinder 1500
This plugs into the above, and my BatteryMinder connects to this, and it keeps my batteries in check.

If I forget it's plugged in, this will slip out of the above adapter as I drive away.
I usually stick a note behind the door handle to remind me to unplug first but I DID drive out of the garage (I back in) one time.

 

[bill61]

Does this look like what you’re talking about? It looks like it has a cigarette light ‘input’ direct to the trailer connector..

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Moto...ler+connector+to+12volt+output,aps,238&sr=8-3

Sponsored