Need Advice On Solar System

[Pawneetow]

I am basically void of any solar charging systems. I would like to be able to set up a solar charging station for my sailplane batteries. I would like be be able to charge 6 or so batteries that we use in our glider club. These batteries are of the K2 type and are 12 volt 9.6 AH. I need to know what complete system would be the best for our needs. Panel, controller and any other advice that you could offer.

[SunEagle]

The K2 is a LiFePo type battery which will require some type of BMS charging system so a standard battery charger won't work.

You can build a solar / battery charging system and then use a DC to AC inverter if your BMS system requires AC power to work or if your BMS uses 12V DC then you can connect it directly to a larger battery.

You can build a small solar / battery system using a 100 watt panel , 10amp PWM CC and a deep cycle 12volt 55Ah battery which should be able to run a DC BMS or AC inverter for about $400.

[Mike90250]

for $100 you can get a deep cycle marine battery and use an ordinary car charger to keep it topped off between weekends.

Or you can get a 200W panel, build a frame for it, figure how to transport it, buy the same $100 marine deep cycle battery and a $100 charge controller, a handful of fuses and a bundle of wire. And if it is a cloudy day, you still get to use the car charger to recharge the battery, because if you let a lead acid battery sit <90% charged more than 24hr, it will sulfate and begin to die.

A "dashboard" 10W solar panel will not be sufficient to do the job

[SunEagle]

I spent about $550 on this system but $250 of that was for the 80watt folding panel which I am sure you can get for less.

It also has a 65Ah Blue Optima battery which is more than you would need so again you can save some $ getting a smaller battery.

The cart, battery box and a 250watt inverter may cost you about $50 so IMO $400 should get you something similar to what I have.

Or you can follow Mike's advice and just get a battery and standard charger for a lot less and just forget the solar part.