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Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:29 am
by Trickydicky
After reading the odd posts with Roy recommending using a Solar Charger I bought one of these,
http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-1 ... rger-98358
I have mine in the garage window which faces south, looking at the indicator on the front it is merrily charging away. For those who dont use there cars much during the winter, for the price you cant go wrong!!!
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:08 pm
by bmcecosse
Yes - one of mine is like that - the other is slightly larger. Works a charm - mine are mounted so they are shielded from the strong/damaging summer sun by roof overhang - but get full winter sun. In summer they charge up battery packs for my railway lamps!
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:03 pm
by welshrat
I bought two in the half price sale, one on the moggy, the other on the sit on mower. Replacing batteries is not cheap these days.
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:25 pm
by jollyroger
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:32 pm
by bmcecosse
The first one is the larger of the two I have - works well, and at that price I may just treat myself to another one.......
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:46 am
by irmscher
Brilliant things
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:12 pm
by rayofleamington
I bought a bunch of them years ago at a whopping £10 ea.. I was wondering about waiting until prices came down a bit more
I'm glad I didn't.
For that price I'd look for second hand also - 2 yrs ago I picked up a 15w briefcase panel for under a tenner. That one is good in winter and can be used not just for battery maintenance, but to top up of leisure batteries in summer. At 15w it will however overcharge if it's left unchecked!
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:27 pm
by Trickydicky
Re: Solar Trickle Charger
Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:49 pm
by rayofleamington
For anyone interested - the 1.5w unit is fine to stop battery self discharge.
I've used on a number of vehicles including larger batteries for big diesel engines, an never had a problem (except for corroded connectors after some years).
If you want to replenish a battery (e.g. occasional use of a leisure battery), then a bigger solar panel is better. However as soon as you get to ~5w or more you need to start thinking of battery protection. Something like a 15W solar panel will easily overcharge and ruin a 12v battery if used long term without a voltage limiting device.