Harbor freight solar to keep battery charged
I've got a 6 year old harbor freight 45w solar setup. I've also got a 80w solar panel. The 80w panel is on the roof of my Four Wheel pop up truck camper, with a charge controller. This keeps my single deep cell battery in the camper fully charged and in good condition. However, it weighs too much and makes it difficult to lift the pop top, even with gas struts installed.
I realize that I only really need the solar to keep the battery charged, not to really run any appliances. In 6 years, I've never used the camper without driving the truck every day (and using the alternator to charge the camper battery).
I'm wondering if I install one of the much smaller 15w HF solar panels on the roof, is that enough to keep the battery charged when the truck/camper sits unused for weeks at a time? The diesel truck also has 2 batteries. I think I could hook up the solar before the battery separator and keep all three batteries topped off, if the 15w panel is powerful enough.
I've read that the HF charge controller can often discharge the battery when the sun is down. Anyone hear of this, or have ideas for an inexpensive charge controller to control the one 15w panel?
I realize that I only really need the solar to keep the battery charged, not to really run any appliances. In 6 years, I've never used the camper without driving the truck every day (and using the alternator to charge the camper battery).
I'm wondering if I install one of the much smaller 15w HF solar panels on the roof, is that enough to keep the battery charged when the truck/camper sits unused for weeks at a time? The diesel truck also has 2 batteries. I think I could hook up the solar before the battery separator and keep all three batteries topped off, if the 15w panel is powerful enough.
I've read that the HF charge controller can often discharge the battery when the sun is down. Anyone hear of this, or have ideas for an inexpensive charge controller to control the one 15w panel?
