12 volt solar chargers?

[macmac]

In the Northern Tool catalog there is a few solar 12 volt chargers.

They give watts, as 1.8, and 5.

I used watts/volts+ amps.

So 1.8 watts / 12 volts = 0.15 amps.

Or 5 watts / 12volts = 0.416 amps

I just gotta wonder if this even makes sence to drop any dimes.

There is another unit that is 15 watts for 75 bucks.

15 watts / 12 volts = 1.25 amps, which is a little more like it.

Any of you guys run solar chargers? This is more for the van than the bike, but it would be nice for the bike too.

[ringadingh]

I had one given to me a couple months ago. I have the 1amp version. I used it once but havn't been able to make a good opinion about it yet. My brother and pal have them as well and say that they work ok. The units here are available for about $20-$30.00 at Princess Auto. Thats a lot better price than you show. Try looking at Harbour Freight, they may have one at a similar price.

[waterman]

If all you are doing is trying to maintain a charge on the battery, the small ones should be good enough.

[VulcanE]

My dad uses one to keep his batteries charged on his bass boat. I don't know the wattage of it, but he thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread. :D

[ringadingh]

There is one made for ATV's, which is weatherproof, thats probably the one I should have got to keep my Argo charged up. I have the regular panel so I'll probably keep in in a sealed bag to keep it dry.

[ray2]

I, have one that says 1.5 amp I use it over winter I plug it into my powerpoint that is wired direct to the battery with a 10amp inline fuse. I store my bike where there is no electric so I put the solar panel in the window (inside of window my pannel is not weatherproof) and have had no trouble. Works fine and don't have to worry about overcharging the battery.this would work on your van if your just wanted to maintain the battery.

[replay13]

I had one to play with, picked it up at a yard sale... about the only good thing I see about it was no worry on over charging anything! On a nice sunny day it would play a small radio. Might be good to maintain a battery if you have good sunshine. On a cloudy day it put out next to nothing.
James

[macmac]

Ray, 1.5 amps is about right IMO.

The 1.8 watts cost 17 bucks and change, but what good is 0.15 amps?

The other one at 5 watts might be ok as it is almost 750 mili amps. Costs about 45 bucks.

I must be missing something. IMO I think I want a solar rig that puts out 1.5 Amps.

I kinda want it for the van. I don't run the van a whole lot. But it might be nice on the bike for a trip, not that any trips are in my plans. Mostly I saw the add, and wondered what the watts was in amps. Once I figured that out, I wondered what good this little amps was?

[ray2]

mac I should have said 1.5 watts not amps.the unit is small but it does work. here is a web site anyway. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422045_200422045?cm_sp=Upsells-_-Top%20Sellers-_-Product%20Page

[macmac]

In that case Ray I wonder what 0.125 watts is good for? Like I said I must be missing something.

[rolfe]

Ive been using a solar charger $15 and its not the weather proofed version but I did chaulk it and works super. I am using it on my John Deere thats sits in a shed. Its the low end model and works SUPER. This will be my 2nd year on the unit. What I like about solar is very little risk of fire from a short. Harbor Freight has the model I have, but I picked it up at the Depot. =r=

[macmac]

Ok, well I'ld like some readings at the battery with a solar charger 'On'. What readings are likely? Do you see 13.33 dcv? That is the reading my shumaker auto float / anti sulfation pulse reads.

[markpenn1]

Mac... go to www.batterystuff.com and view their "tutorial" page. IMHO a lot of helpful info. on solar power/panels/chargers. No $15 chargers; etc..; but some info..anyway.

[ray2]

checked the solar pannel output with multimeter sun is out but pannel is in the shade now got a reading of 0.04 DCamp will check it when it gets in full sun.

[aeropilot]

I'm planning a multi day trip next summer where I'll then be camping for a few days before riding back home, this seems like a good option to trickle the battery while we camp for a few days.

For those that have one, just powering into the tender plug or an accessory plug an option? Those are fused to the battery, but does this solar thing have a diode or something that only allows electrical flow one way? Seems like the "BatteryMinder" one in the link above is setup properly and would plug right into my current tender lead.

[macmac]

Well I have never had a solar anything yet. So I am not sure what I might want in a charger, but a guess is a rating of 1.5 amps out at 13+ dcv.

I would dangerously 'assume' any dcv charger has a diode bridge of some sort to make dcv with polarity, but I don't know that.