Forum Discussion

LetsRV's avatar
LetsRV
Explorer
Aug 25, 2015

Solar Panel thru tinted window??

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??
Class A
  • hanko's avatar
    hanko
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    make sure yo pull the shades down too. seriously guy, I dont think so
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    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.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Aug 25, 2015
    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
  • jkcruzer1's avatar
    jkcruzer1
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    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.
  • sehunter's avatar
    sehunter
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2015
    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.

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