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Saint_Augustine's avatar
Saint_Augustine
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015

Thunderbolt 1.5 watt solar charger

Hi:
Just bought a Thunderbolt 1.5 watt solar charger for my RV from Harbor Freight. The box and ads suggest that you can simply plug into cigarette lighter. The instructions, however, say that you should not use it without a voltage regulator. The output, open circuit, easily reaches 22 volts. Do I need the voltage regulator and, if yes, any suggestions for what to buy?
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2015
    The output is so minimal you can leave it connected 24/7/365 without concern of anything other than your battery going dead. It can only keep a fully charged battery up if there are no loads on it.

    You really should go get your money back.
  • JiminDenver's avatar
    JiminDenver
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2015
    Does the truck have a alarm? This set up will not provide for enough to offset what that alarm will pull.

    It is cute though. :)
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2015
    Ok, but you have to realize that its maximum output is around 0.08a, and that's only for a few hours on a really sunny day.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2015
    Hey Saint Augustine, how does it feel to have your question answered with sarcasm, derision, and condescension?
  • AllegroD's avatar
    AllegroD
    Nomad
    Oct 13, 2015
    1.5 will not maintain much. If you have anything more than a clock drawing the 12v, you will still kill the battery. Even if you only have a clock and it is cloudy, you will drain the battery. More than a month and you battery will be needing replacement.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2015
    TomG2 wrote:
    Hey Saint Augustine, how does it feel to have your question answered with sarcasm, derision, and condescension?


    You must be reading posts that I missed. The fact is that the thing is nearly worthless and that truth may not be pleasant to read.

    That solar panel would have a hard time charging a phone.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2015
    To a battery that Thunderbolt can be compared to trying to start your engine on a D cell Energizer. This is not a derisive comment, it's intention is to allow some perspective.

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