Solar trickle chargers? Anyone?

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:26 pm

I'm curious as to if anyone here uses a solar trickle charger to keep the boat battery charged when not in use? If you use or have used one, what was your experience and what charger, amperage, or watts was provided to the battery and what was the outcome?

West Marine has 3 offered up and I'm considering the 50 dollar one at 150 ma.

I'm thinking summertime it would work great but here in Seattle it may be a stretch in the wintertime.

Any input is appreciated!
Scott

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:14 am

Harbor Freight has a 1.5 watt one (that should be around 125 mA) for 16.99, and a 5 watt (400mA-ish) for $40 as well.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:06 am

Neither of Harbor Freights indicate they are water or weather proof. I also have had bad experiences with some of their tools.

I appreciate the input though!!!

Scott

ronc98 · Post by **ronc98** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:35 am

I have been using the harbor freight 5W charger for a few years. I would think pretty much all solar chargers have to be somewhat water proof. They are designed for the outside.

As far as the tools, Depending upon what you are getting it is hard to beat the low cost of alot of the tools. You get the lifetime warranty and just cycle through them as they fail.

just my two cents

SN691 · Post by **SN691** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:39 am

Last year I bought the Sunsei se-400 and the solar grip from West Marine. It keeps both of my batterys charged up all the time. Even when I have the stero, VHF radio and all the instruments on. I check the output on the solar panel in the bright sun and it was putting out 20 volts. It will charge as long as there is day light. West Marine now has the se-500 which putts out more amps the 400 dose and cost the same,

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:33 am

Hey Bob,

did you get the mounting bracket also or do you have an alternative method of mounting?

Is that it on your stern rail in the photo?

Thanks for the input. I do appreciate it.
Scott

SN691 · Post by **SN691** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:13 am

Scott

I got the mounting bracket and yes that is it on stern rail, and the BBQ

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:39 pm

Hmmm, I'm starting to really want one. It is either two of the smaller ones or one middle sized one.

Decisions decisions . . . .

Thanks for the input guys!

Scott

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:55 pm

Hi Scott,

Yes, I've found a solar trickle charger at Fry's in Renton WA. It's called the Sunforce Solar 12V Battery Maintainer. Its about the size of a C-22 cabin window, length and width. It has to kinds of leads off of it. The positive and negative battery clips and a lighter plug in type lead. It was designed for RV, Cars, Boats. It has built in overcarge / discharge protection, maintenance free, says it works in all daylight conditions. Has a 5 year warranty.

It mounts to the inside of the window with a suction cup at ether end of the panel. You just stick it to the inside of the window in the cabin and run the 7.5 foot wire leads to the battery.

It says it puts out 1.8 watts/125mAmp under ideal conditions.

Here's the best part $24.99. My wife found it and bought it for me a couple weeks ago.

www.sunforceproducts.com
info@sunforceproducts.com
1-888-478-6435

Thanks
Alan
Item #50012

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:21 pm

Sounds like a trip to Frys is in order!
Maybe tomorrow at lunch I'll head down there!!

Thanks for the input Alan !!!
Scott