Forum Discussion

jillhop's avatar
jillhop
Explorer
Dec 22, 2014

Solar trickle charger

Going into my first winter with my camper, I've been studying how my coach battery charges. I've been checking the voltage at the battery and then monitoring how it responds to running the generator and driving the coach/charging off the alternator. It seems to take a LOT of generator time to charge up the battery (say from 70-80% discharged). I'm also planning a trip in April that will involve 7 consecutive days/nights of boondocking in a hotel parking lot (access to bathroom/showers, but no electric). I've been thinking about getting a solar panel to help with the situation. Here's one I'm considering:

http://www.amazon.com/Lowest-Price-THE-YEAR-Regulating/dp/B0046DSLFS/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1419200608&sr=1-4&keywords=solar+battery+tender+100w

Opinions/advice?
  • You would have been better off to post this in Tech Issues, as that is where all the experienced solar folks on this forum hang out.

    That 16 watt panel is insanely overpriced. And a 16.6 watt panel is in no way going to keep your battery charged while you are dry camping. You need at least 200 watts if not more, plus a solar controller.