Punxatawny Phil saw his shadow and spring is coming soon – but we still encourage you to do Winter Maintenance now. Keep your equipment in tip-top shape – to counteract the effect of short days, increased cloud cover and extreme cold – and to extend the life of the sign.

1. SOLAR PANELS: Dirt on solar panels will cut their electrical output. Simply wipe and rinse with a mild detergent and water for maximum output. Be sure to reposition the panels to avoid shadows from trees, buildings and other obstructions.
2. BATTERY FLUID LEVELS: Prevent battery damage by checking the levels regularly. The fluid level should be at the plastic fill port lower ring. If the level is low, add distilled water.
3. BATTERY VOLTAGE: Extreme cold temperatures can be very hard on your batteries. Both output voltage and battery capacity decrease in low temperatures. Check battery voltage often. If battery level is at or below 12 volts DC, you should charge the batteries.

HINT: Check fluid levels and replenish prior to charging batteries!

Use a 45 amp or greater capacity 12 volt DC battery charger. Each battery has a capacity of 260 amp-hours. Therefore, a 45 amp charger will require about 5 hours per-battery to fully restore a deeply discharged battery bank. The electrolyte in inadequately charged batteries could freeze at low temperatures and cause permanent damage! Charging also keeps the plates free of sulfate buildup.

There you have it. Three quick steps to ensure that your SolarTech signs will give you years of dependable service.