I have a buddy that wants to get a solar battery tender setup for his truck. It often sits parked for weeks at a time between camping trips. He asked me and I showed him what is available but I had no idea what sort of wattage he would need. I have seen 2W and 6W that didn't require a controller but I don't know if that would do it. It is a diesel pickup with 2 batteries so I would assume he would want one for each battery if they were the small wattage ones.Any tips?

A two Watt panel is good for grade school science fair projects ...A Six Watt panel might charge your cell-phone.

His batteries are connected in parallel. Disconnecting one would be far simpler than solar and just as effective.

Home Depot has an 18W solar charger that i have been considering for my truck.

Alot of folks would get something that lays in the windshield area and just plug the solar panel into the cigarette lighter socket. I used to do that all the time with my 99 TJ Jeep. The newer cars and trucks seem to have the cigarette lighter on their ignition key-off timer so if that is the game plan be sure you have access to a constant connection to the batteries. I have three such cigarette lights available from the console area of my truck. The only one that is HOT all the time is the one inside the console storage section between the seats..Just a caution to think about...Roy Ken

If a vehicles batteries are in good condition, you can just unhook the ground cable to remove any parasitic loads and the battery will hold its charge for months. I had a '57 Ford in storage for 8 years and it only got started twice a year. It never failed to start and the battery kept its charge with no problem.

Solar for Tow Vehicle question | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2013
Alot of folks would get something that lays in the windshield area and just plug the solar panel into the cigarette lighter socket. I used to do that all the time with my 99 TJ Jeep.

The newer cars and trucks seem to have the cigarette lighter on their ignition key-off timer so if that is the game plan be sure you have access to a constant connection to the batteries.

I have three such cigarette lights available from the console area of my truck. The only one that is HOT all the time is the one inside the console storage section between the seats..

Just a caution to think about...
Roy Ken
mena661
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Home Depot has an 18W solar charger that i have been considering for my truck.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2013
His batteries are connected in parallel. Disconnecting one would be far simpler than solar and just as effective.
camperpaul
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
A two Watt panel is good for grade school science fair projects ...

A Six Watt panel might charge your cell-phone.

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Solar for Tow Vehicle question

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