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Solar Panel thru tinted window??

LetsRV
Explorer
Explorer
Have a small solar panel for maintaining the charge on a battery while coach is in storage. Just want to maintain the battery level while parked (not actually charge it).

Will a solar panel work if put inside the coach behind a tinted window facing south??
Due to depreciation the above opinions are now worth less than what you paid for them.

We are all good at something.....
I just happen to be a good bad example.

2016 Forest River Forester 3011DSF
5 REPLIES 5

sehunter
Explorer
Explorer
Yes I have had one on my dash for several years and it keeps my chassis battery up just fine. Put it in the window that sees the sun the longest and you should be OK.
Stan
2008 Bounder
38P, W24, 8.1L, 3 Slides
2019 tow dolly hydraulic brakes

jkcruzer1
Explorer
Explorer
A heavily tinted window would obviously reduce the solar panel output. Even a windsheild will reduce the the output. In my experience, in my location, a 10 watt panel behind the windshield will maintain my single chassis battery.
2011 Damon Challenger 371

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have one of these 5W SOLAR PANELs (AMAZON) sitting inside the front windshield area plugged into a ALWAYS HOT 12VDC plug. It works at a reduced rate. Mine is a small watts one and I wish I had got one of the bigger ones...

It will only keep my battery topped off. You really need something around the 15-20 WATT level.

Similar to this GOOGLE image model..


Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
I think it would work but, at a reduced efficiency.
Solar panels work on cloudy days, just not as well as on clear sunny days.
My cheap solar lights in the yard charge on overcast days.

hanko
Explorer
Explorer
make sure yo pull the shades down too. seriously guy, I dont think so
2014 Tiffin Open Road 36LA,Banks Power pack,sumo springs, 5 star tune, magnum invertor

2013 Ford Focus Toad

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