Solar Battery Tender Thoughts?

[8ntruck 9,306]

I've had the check engine light come on a couple of times in our 2019 Jeep Cherokee.  This has happened after the car has been unused for several weeks.

 

The volt gage says 14.3 volts when running and 12.3 or 4 after shutting the car off, indicating a low charge to me.

 

I suspect that the 'idle' electronics draw is what is draining the (AGM) battery. I'm going to put a battery charger on it tomorrow for a few hours to see if I can get a fuller charge on it.

 

I think i have 2 preventative choices. 1) install a battery shut off to disconnect the battery when the car sits idle, or 2) put a solar powered battery tender on it when it is idle.

 

Comments?  Recommendations on a solar charger?

 

Thanks.

[adsm08 5,151]

44 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

Comments

 

1) 12.3V is slightly to somewhat discharged, but not enough to cause problems. If the amperage is low enough to cause issues that indicates the battery may not be holding enough charge and needs replaced.

 

2) Do not install a battery disconnect, it will cause other issues. Particularly if you are in a jurisdiction that has emissions testing. Disconnecting the battery will reset the computer's memory, this means you are also wiping out learned adaptations that make it run smoother and shift better.

 

3) Modern vehicles are not meant to sit for weeks at a time not being driven. You either need to drive it at least once a week, keep it on a proper tender (not solar, 110 outlet) that is hooked up correctly to allow the battery monitor to see the proper power flow (the ground side of your tender needs to be hooked up on the body, not directly to the battery), or get rid of it and get something older with less constant draw on the system (I would suggest a brand not owned by Stellantis).

 

4) This vehicle is, by default, equipped with a fairly high amp battery. High amp batteries sulfate and die faster when sitting than low amp batteries do.

 

5) Have you actually checked to see what the codes are, or are you just assuming they two things are related?

Edited 11 hours ago by adsm08

[8ntruck 9,306]

 No, I haven't checked what the code is. Making a semi-educated guess here.  The check light seems to go out after driving the car a bit.  Probably left something in the memory, though.

 

Good point on the disconnect - I hadn't thought of that.

[squonk 48,141]

Are the batteries original? If so one may be junk and drawing off the good one.

[ri702bill 13,084]

8 hours ago, adsm08 said:

(I would suggest a brand not owned by Stellantis).

Ah, yes. Since Jeep's acquisition by Stellantis, they use their less than spectacular Fiat Electronics - that have proven to be a major source of their drivability and breakdown issues....

[WHX?? 58,190]

Read the engine codes that might yield some info.