Solar Battery Maintainer Selection ??
I have a vehicle that sits unused… outside… in the high desert in Nevada… in all weather conditions... for 350 days every year. Then I use it for daily two weeks and it goes back to the outdoor storag...
Forum Discussion
A single starter battery can't be too big - 50 AH maybe - and there is plenty of sun in AZ, so 5W would be adequate if there was no drain. I found 2.5W adequate for my Chevy 1500, outside on the roof, BUT the battery was disconnected.
Now, "inside the windshield" is an interesting question. I didn't notice any difference in performance, other than losses from shading from vehicle frame. But my model is old and new windshield is the cheapest possible. The word is, on newer models there is a coat on the glass that cuts the output more than in half. Also, dust accumulating over a year would cause the output to drop.
Another problem with small solar maintainer under the windshield is that it melts down, literally. Unlike big panels, small chargers have plastic frame and usually a plastic cover at the back. This affects heat dissipation, and it can get VERY hot under windshield. Allegedly, back cover is to keep it "weatherproof" for when used outside, but I wouldn't count too much on that.
You are in a better position in AZ, but in Baja Mex the crocodile connectors of my charger badly corroded in a matter of weeks. Dry area, no rain, 200ft from sea, no salt spray. Very, very poor quality metal.
Now, "inside the windshield" is an interesting question. I didn't notice any difference in performance, other than losses from shading from vehicle frame. But my model is old and new windshield is the cheapest possible. The word is, on newer models there is a coat on the glass that cuts the output more than in half. Also, dust accumulating over a year would cause the output to drop.
Another problem with small solar maintainer under the windshield is that it melts down, literally. Unlike big panels, small chargers have plastic frame and usually a plastic cover at the back. This affects heat dissipation, and it can get VERY hot under windshield. Allegedly, back cover is to keep it "weatherproof" for when used outside, but I wouldn't count too much on that.
You are in a better position in AZ, but in Baja Mex the crocodile connectors of my charger badly corroded in a matter of weeks. Dry area, no rain, 200ft from sea, no salt spray. Very, very poor quality metal.
