solar power trickle charger

[duckmaster1]

Looking at getting a couple of the small solar power trickle chargers for my boat batteries. My boat stays outside and want to keep them longer with a trickle charger, just do not want to run an extension cord out from the garage to the boat and leave it out their, so I thought the solar panel trickle chargers might be an idea.
Anyone used these for their batteries?

Thanks

 

[foodfisher]

Re: solar power trickle charger

Used a small one on my travel trailer batts. Would only hold current level of charge. Would not recharge them to full.

 

[xeddog]

Re: solar power trickle charger

I have two of these cheap Harbor Freight solar panels for my boat with dual batteries and have been using them for about 3 yrs.

While they are MUCH better than not having anything at all, they will not keep the batteries fully charged. They will keep the decay down to a level that is acceptable however. Since using them, the batteries are always able to start the boat, even after a whole year of sitting due to engine problems. That first start after sitting I could tell that the batteries were not fully charged because the engine wasn't turning as fast as it should have. But it did eventually start without the aid of a battery charger.

Worthy of note - The weather proofing isn't all that great for these particular panels, and I have recently had to replace one of them because some water got into it and ruined it. I am going to look for some way to cheaply and quickly improve that. Maybe some silicone.

I am planning to go to HF pretty soon so I may just try out one of these:

5 watt solar battery charger

Wayne

 

[Silvertip]

Re: solar power trickle charger

Do the math. Why would you buy two $50 panels (there are cheaper ones) when for little more money you can have a two bank on-board charger that is actually a charger. Yes -- the extension cord is still required but then the job is getting done. Solar panels are targets for thieves and since they must be in plain sight to do any good, I would not recommend them unless the boat is behind a fence and out of sight.

 

[albion2]

Re: solar power trickle charger

I have two of these cheap Harbor Freight solar panels for my boat with dual batteries and have been using them for about 3 yrs.

While they are MUCH better than not having anything at all, they will not keep the batteries fully charged. They will keep the decay down to a level that is acceptable however. Since using them, the batteries are always able to start the boat, even after a whole year of sitting due to engine problems. That first start after sitting I could tell that the batteries were not fully charged because the engine wasn't turning as fast as it should have. But it did eventually start without the aid of a battery charger.

Worthy of note - The weather proofing isn't all that great for these particular panels, and I have recently had to replace one of them because some water got into it and ruined it. I am going to look for some way to cheaply and quickly improve that. Maybe some silicone.

I am planning to go to HF pretty soon so I may just try out one of these:

5 watt solar battery charger

Wayne

I had one of those 5 watts on my Magregor for 3 years and it kept the battery charged through 4 severe winters here in northern Ohio.Paid $30 or so for it from Harbor freight.

 

[Mr_Shamrock]

Re: solar power trickle charger

Instead of an extension cord can you dig a trench and run some wire from your electric panel and add a permanent outlet out there. Just a thought. We did that to our overhang and now we just have to have an 8 foot cord to the on board charger. It cost us less than $100 for the entire install and was worth every penny.