Solar panel chargers

March 02, 2021, 12:36:55 PM

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations on solar panel chargers.

Where I'm not using the car, battery keeps dying and is probably too low to charge up now so want to avoid this on next battery.

Re: Solar panel chargers

Reply #1 – March 02, 2021, 02:53:09 PM

I just purchased one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-12V-Solar-Powered-Keep-your-Battery-Topped-Car-Camper-Leisure-Charger/154221515172

Its the middle size and output in the ring range. I added a bead of clear silicone around the solar panel edge as per the instructions for mounting permanently outside and it is now attached to my fence, hopefully placed optimally for hours of sunlight available each day.

Seems to be doing its job well so far, as a minimum it is keeping the voltage constant and not dropping as it would over a couple of weeks, will be able to give better feedback in a few weeks time. Here it is installed on my fence.

Re: Solar panel chargers

Reply #2 – March 02, 2021, 10:38:48 PM

i did try one of the early solar panels, was crXp... in end i bought a power pack/jumper usb sized that i carry around when driving old bangers.
Now on my garage at home ive got 400watts of solar to 110amp leisure battery, this can be switched with controller to charge battery, run through invertor to create 220-240v to run chinese diesel heater, and henry hoover.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100W-150W-200W-300W-solar-panel-kit-20A-Battery-charge-Controller-for-Caravan-RV/124283883427?_trkparms=aid%3D1110012%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOIPOST%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D230924%26meid%3Dcec98dd18a884e88993a205348dbbc74%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D124284904665%26itm%3D124283883427%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2WithMLRv3%26brand%3DEco-worthy&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A124283883427cec98dd18a884e88993a205348dbbc74%7Cenc%3AAQAFAAACELs66kkAP41TTmQu%252FGj5YFNeptZQyRejWNKk4QP5ooJf5P77xk5pMrg4dGStv2z0qw0SgBNSxCKhdlCtPxBDCk9SKu1tjeITKsKtvr%252BEuUmXr6KEfawt7ZQ%252B9TKbm2dAKE2%252BK8VJSZS%252FOA6qn7AIWadUGN5nxgCcpILPR6XawqBFUfjp%252FyT1vx0spxGj5f9boxHRapuX%252F4tLRrEkACGKYzWL0I1Xn1avYKiVWTmgYOAtYOduMYuCJjMcHUusRiKjJLJY22lCBgYNUvEKBN4Zduf6jOr2mKM8Ef5XS3B2OQRnoaXX1%252FxojUWQRZ8sW2h6hBjyE%252B6X4VvEGf8Lu%252Bwlqrn7F2BDmPluG1ZR7WFH86azp59uN9SqR%252F6RAdVkGstRyo%252BpAUayc11iBEB7NNk5fpLHek9vPXFT77qHe1bLJYlIyOQGsR%252BsLmohDQSx%252FKLrqVBMlMr6ORE3IztQ%252B6xYT9HTkZf8mBVbTkgky6Q%252BN0aRkljY0CvxBdvbQC6CHNWuL4CVI5Fmyz7AWoCwBbDug1t7rTeRjh%252BSZtl%252FNb5eSBB%252BtbLOGuhGY9yQkogi%252FNUtiHe0rCuvNPNPPFGGtNv%252FCSahutDHl2Ux8JYcmeNpzlbM%252FRejdOfE60qereSHL35iS6YIx0gSfEvvp9m7oK3%252B2IKP1XX%252BLX0knuqLDZJQFdaUG4UAdwAtnoirjtmOwwG9mQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675 latest version

Re: Solar panel chargers

Reply #3 – March 04, 2021, 05:10:26 PM

I have one in my Volvo and one in my wife's Volvo too. Bought them on Amazon about a year ago when we suddenly started to use our cars less. Not sure if the cigarette socket is perm live, but I have our Volvo ones connected on the side rear window (it comes with suckers) and connected to the boot 12v socket (as that's perm live).

It's not going to ever charge a flat battery but it's now connected all the year round and just helps to trickle topup the battery. Neither cars have had an issue starting since - even if left unused for weeks.

I bought this one and it was about £17 at the time - now about £20.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016IB8PI8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_TKVMV0GPQQ9KHBS0ND6F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1