Solar battery charger
Looking for one to keep the battery charged between trips.
Forum Discussion
Almot wrote:
Not enough info.
"To keep charged" - with what loads? Do you physically disconnect the battery, or just turn the lights off and call it a day? Is it a single battery, and if so, what size?
Assuming the easiest scenario, - a single battery under 100 Ah (this is what dealers normally push to sell), AND if you physically disconnect the loads, then to compensate for self-discharge that goes inside the battery and never stops no matter what, you need 3W-10W solar charger. Get one from Amazon, where it says "charger" - not "panel", and that comes with cable and clips - those usually have a blocking diode built-in. Costs around $20.
If any loads are present, then you need a charger/panel with more watts. How much more - depends on how much loads.
If there is more than 100 Ah of batteries, then again you need more watts.
If you need more than just "keep it charged", i.e. you want to add some or all of the charge that you drew out of the battery during the last trip, then again you need more watts.
Good questions. Like I told pianotuna I'll look tomorrow.
