Battery Maintenance - Is this something you do?

[Embark With Mark]

Lately, due to our current situation, I have been driving less. The Jeep comes out about every two weeks or so. In order to keep the battery conditioned, I installed a modular solar system. What methods do you use to extend the life of your battery? Solar, battery tender, Solar battery tender? DIY or just buy?

 

[RoarinRow]

I installed this Bluetooth device on my secondary battery as well as my solar battery.

Amazon.com: Battery Monitor BM2 BM3 Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Battery Tester 12V Automotive Battery Load Tester,Automotive Charging and Cranking System Monitor Digital Battery Analyzer for Android & IOS: Automotive

Like you my vehicles are just sitting idle. When the Bluetooth status shows a low charge, usually indicated by a percentage of charge, then I plug in my Noco battery charger. I'm mostly concerned about my main and secondary battery. The solar, well is changed by solar on most days. It's been overcast/raining lately.

 

[Embark With Mark]

I installed this Bluetooth device on my secondary battery as well as my solar battery.

Amazon.com: Battery Monitor BM2 BM3 Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Battery Tester 12V Automotive Battery Load Tester,Automotive Charging and Cranking System Monitor Digital Battery Analyzer for Android & IOS: Automotive

Like you my vehicles are just sitting idle. When the Bluetooth status shows a low charge, usually indicated by a percentage of charge, then I plug in my Noco battery charger. I'm mostly concerned about my main and secondary battery. The solar, well is changed by solar on most days. It's been overcast/raining lately.

That is a nice little upgrade. I really like the idea of the monitor.

 

[Downs]

Battery tender mounted overhead. Also storage in a garage when not in use. I will not have a garage and have my vehicles "living" outside. And sealed AGM type batteries.

 

[smritte]

After I killed my odyssey from not driving, I installed a small 50 watt panel on my roof with a renogy charge controller. This does two things. First and foremost, keeps my almost 2 amp parasitic draw from killing another and second, it tops off my battery after driving. My vehicles alternator only does a fair job of charging AGM's. This is the little extra, keeps the state of charge my battery needs. The controller can be accessed with Bluetooth from my phone.
If the vehicle had to sit for a long time, I have a Genius 4amp onboard charger left over from when I had my TJ. I didn't have a spot for a panel on that vehicle so I mounted the charger under the hood.

 

[Embark With Mark]

After I killed my odyssey from not driving, I installed a small 50 watt panel on my roof with a renogy charge controller. This does two things. First and foremost, keeps my almost 2 amp parasitic draw from killing another and second, it tops off my battery after driving. My vehicles alternator only does a fair job of charging AGM's. This is the little extra, keeps the state of charge my battery needs. The controller can be accessed with Bluetooth from my phone.
If the vehicle had to sit for a long time, I have a Genius 4amp onboard charger left over from when I had my TJ. I didn't have a spot for a panel on that vehicle so I mounted the charger under the hood.

Wow a 2 amp draw?? That seems very high. I engjoy using AGM batteries too.

 

[smritte]

Wow a 2 amp draw?? That seems very high. I engjoy using AGM batteries too.

The alarm and stereo are only 35ma. The rest is all the high output USB ports placed around plus some other things that don't come to mind right now.

 

[MidOH]

I use a 6amp Kohler float charger.

Toss the battery in the garbage every 36 months and you'll never have a battery failure.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I just drive mine daily.

 

[G & J]

I’m sure you are aware, but for those who are reading this thread and are not, AGM batteries require an AGM specific battery monitor charger to keep them in good shape over the long term.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I have a small batter tender a can plug into a power socket in the garage /barn, but my 99 Jeep GC is parked too far for it to reach and I havent successfully started it in months...fail. I'm having too much fun riding in my 14 GMC Sierra so I havent bothered with it

 

[Downs]

I’m sure you are aware, but for those who are reading this thread and are not, AGM batteries require an AGM specific battery monitor charger to keep them in good shape over the long term.

I think all the currently built battery tender brand models are AGM compatible. NOCO IMO makes a better though more pricey one, I believe most of them are compatible with wet cell, AGM, and lithium.