Solar trickle chargers.

[RVTRKN]

I'm starting this thread here, mainly due to the many solar trickle chargers used for RV's. However I need a solar trickle charger for my 07 C&C batteries, but I also have a 10W crank case heater installed on my AC compressor. I need the CCH to eliminate the refrigerant from migrating into the compressor during long periods of not running. It was always present with my OEM compressor, and I believe it is what caused it to fail. Testing for the issue proved that it was a problem. I now have to turn on the CCH for at least 12 hours before I start the engine. The heater at 10 watt is a minimal drain on the batteries, but I can't leave it on for more than two days, or it drains the batteries. Even if I don't have it plugged in and I remove all of my parasitic voltage draw, my batteries won't hold enough of a charge past two weeks, and their only 6 months old. So I've decided to install a solar trickle charger that can also keep up with the 10 watt heater. What are the better solar trickle chargers, or what other options/suggestions can anyone recommend?

 

[phantomusa]

Ive used some sold by harbor freight they have them from 1.5 watts to 13 watts
Matter of fact I'm going tomorrow to buy a 13 watt briefcase style on sale for $74.99 for a piece of heavy equipment that has 6 batterys and sits for weeks at a time without using so this should keep the batterys charged

 

[RVTRKN]

Let me know what you think of it, I take it its has a regulator, that won't cook your batteries?

 

[phantomusa]

I already have one that I use 13 watts but one of my operators ran over it with a skid steer last week so I'm buying a replacement and i just seen it on sale so time to get it

 

[RVTRKN]

Can you post a link please?

 

[phantomusa]

My buddy has one he uses on his golfcart because he doesn't have a charger for it

 

[phantomusa]

Its in my harbor frieght sale catolog#ad

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks, is this Harbor Freight ?

 

[phantomusa]

Yupper

 

[RVTRKN]

OK, I found this in Harbor Frieght, but it doesn't have a built in regulator ?

https://www.harborfreight.com/13-watt-briefcase-solar-charger-68750.html

 

[phantomusa]

They sell reguators too a 100 watt is like 25.00

 

[RVTRKN]

Then this should be connected, however your batteries are probably 24VDC.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-amp-solar-charge-regulator-96728.html

 

[phantomusa]

Yes that the one i use sometimes
I use this charger mostly to charge batterys when theres no electric around

 

[RVTRKN]

I found this one that has everything included.

http://www.goalzero.com/p/250/maintainer-10-trickle-charger/

 

[phantomusa]

Ahh your looking for a battery maintainer not a battery charger
When I need a maintainer I use a battery tender brand that plugs into electric much more reliable then a solar unit

 

[RVTRKN]

I can use a 110vac starting and deep cycle battery trickle charger, that I'm using currently. But I'd like it to be solar so I can use it for my RV and boat as well. If I drive my C&C every day, I can then use it for my other toys.

 

[flyrod40]

Guys, I need your help. Our Dodge is a 97 Ram diesel 4x4. Most of the time it just sits so the batteries tend to run down. The Interstates I have in there now are about 18 months old and are starting to need to be jumped if I don't drive the truck about once per week. Based upon this thread I purchased the Goal Zero 10w solar maintainer. I made sure my batteries were well charged and then connected the maintainer on the inside of the windshield. One week later dead batteries. I called Goal Zero and they said the windshield interferes with charging, so I put the panel on the roof. I gave the batteries a good charge and tried it again. One week later same situation - dead batteries. The charging indicator on the panel says it is charging. I have the alligator clamps connected to the battery on the driver's side of the engine bay. The battery with all the wires coming off of it. Any thoughts before I call Goal Zero again? Should I be connecting the alligator clamps to the battery on the passenger side? I am not about to buy new batteries. This is the Goal Zero unit I have https://www.goalzero.com/shop/trickle-charger-inverter/maintainer-10-trickle-charger/

Thanks in advance
George

 

[Ozymandias]

I can tell you whatbis going on -10W is the power that this panel produces under BEST instance - at Noon without clouds or anything else, direct Sun.
Well, you see that will make it a bit a problem to load properly.

Next problem is you have truck batterys, 2 of them, together with 130Amp Hour - it is just not possible to load this battery with just (At best) 0.8A Amp Charging Power, that is like pee in the Sea, the level wont Rise.
Thats fact.

This low amp trickle chargers are just a rip off, waaaaaay to expensive for the 10w they provide.
For 100$ you can buy a 100W flexible Solarpanel, even foldable for a little more money, together with an MPPT Charge Regulator you have a decent solar system.

But please stop throwing money for crap.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

OK Ozy - I'll bite - where do you recommend something like what you described?

FWIW - I'd like to get a solar charger/maintainer to rotate through various things to keep the batteries topped up. Currently about once a month I use a long extension cord and daily move a 4A charger maintainer through about 6 different pieces of equipment or cars to top off the battery. I just leave a 3A one always attached to the RV.

So, I've never done more than a cursory glance at solar stuff so, what do you recommend?

Oh yea - it sucks when your son runs over the extension cord with the mower!.....of course I would never do such a thing!

 

[Ozymandias]

Just as an idea..

https://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?kw=fo...panel+100.TRS0&_nkw=foldable+solar+panel+100w