I installed a new solar charging system on my 803 today. Purchased a 24V, 20W panel and charge controller off the auction sight. I have been using this same charge controller on another system to maintain the battery for my security cameras. I have two wifi cameras in the field I use to watch all the deer activity with. The charge controller auto senses whether you have it on a 12 or 24 volt system. Total cost $59.88 for both pieces.
![IMG_2334.jpg IMG_2334.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496982-34ec12edb1046ad875ad5f2eb7aaf956.jpg)
![IMG_2332.jpg IMG_2332.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496980-9745dca9ffeef33f0bf44b4f24ecfe71.jpg)
My generator is up under my shed so it doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Sun probably peaks in a couple hours a day. I mounted the new panel on the end of the shed where it should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
![IMG_2329.jpg IMG_2329.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496978-1ac086d1528fb5c1a8ea5028c53ac9a5.jpg)
The panel measured 44 open circuit volts and 486 short circuit milliamps in direct sunlight. In the shade it was reading 36 volts and 70MA. Soon after connecting the volt reading went up on the batteries to 25.4 and the charge controller indicated it was float charging.
The nice thing about it is I mounted the charge controller right on top of the generator so I can monitor the battery condition every time I walk by. No more dead battery surprises.
![IMG_2334.jpg IMG_2334.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496982-34ec12edb1046ad875ad5f2eb7aaf956.jpg)
![IMG_2332.jpg IMG_2332.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496980-9745dca9ffeef33f0bf44b4f24ecfe71.jpg)
My generator is up under my shed so it doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Sun probably peaks in a couple hours a day. I mounted the new panel on the end of the shed where it should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
![IMG_2329.jpg IMG_2329.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/496/496978-1ac086d1528fb5c1a8ea5028c53ac9a5.jpg)
The panel measured 44 open circuit volts and 486 short circuit milliamps in direct sunlight. In the shade it was reading 36 volts and 70MA. Soon after connecting the volt reading went up on the batteries to 25.4 and the charge controller indicated it was float charging.
The nice thing about it is I mounted the charge controller right on top of the generator so I can monitor the battery condition every time I walk by. No more dead battery surprises.
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