solar panel trickle chargers

Post by **Doggy** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:07 pm

Now that I have a work van my shorty safari spends nearly all of the week just sitting around doing SFA. It has always had a problem with draining the voltage very slowly as I run some 12v things on a 24v system. I already have a 24v - 12v trannie in for my immobiliser and a couple of other bits but regardless it will still lose voltage. Now to the question at hand, I was thinkering of putting a couple of little solar panel trickle chargers on my dash to try and slow or stop the voltage drain. What would be better, 2 trickle chargers with 1 hooked up to each battery, 2 chargers with both connected over the 24v or 1 charger hooked up across the 24v

Another question/s who uses these or has used them in the past, what is everyones opinion of them and how much are they? I'd imagine they are readily available from Jaycar but am unsure of the price
Thanks guys

Post by **mickyd555** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:25 pm

why dont you just put a battery isolator in instead, probably cheaper and you should be able to find something in the back of that busted arsed express van youve got. or you could make sure you take her for a spin every few days, thats what i do. it keeps all the moving bits going too.

ill see ya at the servo in the morning anyway, ill teach you my young padewon...............

Post by **Doggy** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 7:16 pm

I could isolate the batteries biatch but, this was also something I could use while out camping when the stereo is going during the day and if I dont drive during the day then run camping lights at night. My camping lights are pretty strong as I got 2 halogen dichroic lamps put them on a length of pine and made a couple of brackets to hang it off. The f**cker lights up about a 30 metre area

I do take it for a spin during the week and my girlfriend also drives it to give it a run

Post by **De-lux** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:24 am

i'm not too sure about your idea about how to wire it, but i have seen a trickle solar charger that you put on your sun visor at Autobarn @ slacks creek for about $30

Post by **Area54** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:22 pm

The trickle panels are not worth it, especially looking at the loads you are talking about - stereo, lights etc. Taking the rig for a drive would be the best method. C'mon doggy, you should know this sort of stuff.

Remember that winter will always reduce the output of wet cell batteries.

Website · Post by **murcod** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:35 pm

Don't waste your money on those cheap solar trickle chargers- they output stuff all charge current. Plus most come with a cigarette lighter socket; I don't know too many vehicles that have the lighter socket connected to the battery with the ignition off....

Post by **Doggy** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:42 pm

Hmmm fark the idea then huh. I guess I shall just stick to charging it up when it goes flat.
I wasnt planning on hooking it up through the lighter socket murcod, I was planning on putting it straight to the batteries or somefink

Nevermind...it was just a wonder...a wah wah wah wah wonder

Website · Post by **murcod** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:33 pm

You could buy a decent solar panel and regualtor and hook that up- but it would cost a bit of money....

Another option could be one of those 240V float chargers that can be installed in the engine bay and left on charge permanently? Might be a bit difficult if the vehicle is not under cover though- running a 240V cord into the engine bay.

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