Solar trickle charger question.

FishVan · 02-19-2009, 10:44 AM

I saw in the West Marine ad last week that they have a small solar trickle charger for keeping batteries fully charged. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these. Do they work? Would a small one be suffecient to keep two 650 amp starter batteries up?Since my boat is outside all day, was thinking of adding a small one to my T-top. Might keep me from having to drag my trickle charger and extension cord out.

Tuna Man · 02-19-2009, 10:48 AM

Yes they work. I have one that the VW factory installs into the cars they ship. It plugs into the cigar lighter and has 4 suction cups to stick onto the windshield. I'm sure that the ones they use cost some bucks as they are supposed to be shipped back to the factory.

bullet175 · 02-22-2009, 10:20 PM

Hey I have one of those VW solar chargers. Never used it for anything. Is it safe to leave it plugged in all the time. Im sure its not waterproof though is it?

sosmarine · 02-22-2009, 10:37 PM

I have one from Harbor Freight that I used in my service van. Plugged it into the accy plug and it kept two batteries charged without a problem. The low amp output ones are ok to leave connected, but the ones with a higher output require a monitor/regulator and can get expensive.

Rich · 02-23-2009, 02:18 AM

I got one from Boaters World. Use it all the time and it works great. Only thing is you want to keep it dry so I left it in the blister package it came with and ran the wire out.

60hertz · 02-23-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Rich (2/23/2009)I got one from Boaters World. Use it all the time and it works great. Only thing is you want to keep it dry so I left it in the blister package it came with and ran the wire out.

:withstupid

Tuna Man · 02-23-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

bullet175 (2/22/2009)Hey I have one of those VW solar chargers. Never used it for anything. Is it safe to leave it plugged in all the time. Im sure its not waterproof though is it?

Safe to leave plugged in all the time...well I'm sure it is otherwise VW wouldn't use then as they are installed for a long time. In the manufactures lot, on the boat shipped here and on the receiving lot. They are not removed until they are picked up to be delivered to the dealer.

As for waterproof ...ummmm probably not since they are installed inside the car. Suction cupped to the inner windshield. If I needed it to be exposed to the elements I'd have it protected some way.

FishVan · 02-23-2009, 10:15 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I looked at one when I was in the store shoping for some other stuff Saturday. IMHO, the one they had looked a little cheesy. I was thinking it was something I could mount on my T-top permanent like. There were other accessories alongside it (voltage controller, monitor, etc.) something like these would probably be necessary if it was going to be left installed for a long period of time. And, not sure if it is waterproof or not. It would be a bummer to go out to the lift after a wind storm and find it floating in the bayou.

Get'n Wade · 03-01-2009, 12:39 PM

Here are some that are waterproof.

http://www.campingworld.com/search/i...p;x=25&y=9

DOUBLE "D" & LV · 03-01-2009, 12:49 PM

Nice!

02-19-2009, 10:44 AM	#1
FishVan Senior Member Mingo Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Somewhere near a sunset Posts: 139	Solar trickle charger question. I saw in the West Marine ad last week that they have a small solar trickle charger for keeping batteries fully charged. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these. Do they work? Would a small one be suffecient to keep two 650 amp starter batteries up?Since my boat is outside all day, was thinking of adding a small one to my T-top. Might keep me from having to drag my trickle charger and extension cord out.

02-19-2009, 10:48 AM	#2
Tuna Man Senior Member Grand Slam Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calera, AL....25 Miles S of Birmingham Posts: 6,584	RE: Solar trickle charger question. Yes they work. I have one that the VW factory installs into the cars they ship. It plugs into the cigar lighter and has 4 suction cups to stick onto the windshield. I'm sure that the ones they use cost some bucks as they are supposed to be shipped back to the factory.

02-22-2009, 10:20 PM	#3
bullet175 Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 30	RE: Solar trickle charger question. Hey I have one of those VW solar chargers. Never used it for anything. Is it safe to leave it plugged in all the time. Im sure its not waterproof though is it?

02-22-2009, 10:37 PM	#4
sosmarine Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Navarre/Town Center Posts: 1,982	RE: Solar trickle charger question. I have one from Harbor Freight that I used in my service van. Plugged it into the accy plug and it kept two batteries charged without a problem. The low amp output ones are ok to leave connected, but the ones with a higher output require a monitor/regulator and can get expensive.

02-23-2009, 02:18 AM	#5
Rich Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 99	RE: Solar trickle charger question. I got one from Boaters World. Use it all the time and it works great. Only thing is you want to keep it dry so I left it in the blister package it came with and ran the wire out.

02-23-2009, 10:15 PM	#8
FishVan Senior Member Mingo Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Somewhere near a sunset Posts: 139	RE: Solar trickle charger question. Thanks for all the responses. I looked at one when I was in the store shoping for some other stuff Saturday. IMHO, the one they had looked a little cheesy. I was thinking it was something I could mount on my T-top permanent like. There were other accessories alongside it (voltage controller, monitor, etc.) something like these would probably be necessary if it was going to be left installed for a long period of time. And, not sure if it is waterproof or not. It would be a bummer to go out to the lift after a wind storm and find it floating in the bayou.

03-01-2009, 12:39 PM	#9
Get'n Wade Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 607	RE: Solar trickle charger question. Here are some that are waterproof. http://www.campingworld.com/search/i...p;x=25&y=9

03-01-2009, 12:49 PM	#10
DOUBLE "D" & LV Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: pensacola Posts: 1,023	RE: Solar trickle charger question. Nice! __________________ ___________________________________________ Davlor Marine, LLC 850-777-7303 davlormarine@hotmail.com www.davlormarine.webs.com

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode