Cheap solar panel

[lhurley]

Hi all,

As my patrol is no longer my daily driver I have been thinking of way to keep the battery topped up in between runs. I have a 240v charger that will trickle charge but I don't have any power points where I keep the car but also don't want to run a huge extension lead out all the time either.

So that got me thinking about solar. This panel specifically

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Regulated-Solar-Panel-10-Watt.aspx?pid=306345#Recommendations

I have a super crap gift card I need to use so ideally that would be good. The panel won't need to be high out put as it just to keep the battery up, with almost nothing running off it (alarm and elec rust protect).

Is something like this going to work or am I just going to have to spend another few hundred on getting a good regulator making the cheap panel worth less?

I really I don't want to have to spend heaps doing this.

Thanks in advance.

[Bob]

That would be quite adequate for keeping your Battery topped up.

[threedogs]

X 2 it will put about .5 ah back in and keep your battery busy

[Cuppa]

Yes it will do the job provided the alarm & rust protector don’t use more power than the panel can provide.
However it is quite expensive for what it is.

Compare to this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10W-12V-SOLAR-PANEL-2-amp-REGULATOR-with-USB-Free-Freight-TRICKLE-CHARGER-/321873746532?hash=item4af12b9a64

[threedogs]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10W-12V-Portable-SOLAR-TRICKLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-for-car-RV-camp-marine-atv-/351441498394?hash=item51d38bb11a

Plenty of affordable panels out there.
save the Super Cheap card for service items when on specials

[bazzaboy]

I just bought a 10w panel to keep my camper trailer battery charged. Ebay for $32 with regulator and free post and it looks identical to the supercheap one. ( the small ones are probably all the same )

Bazza.

[Winnie]

I just bought a 10w panel to keep my camper trailer battery charged. Ebay for $32 with regulator and free post and it looks identical to the supercheap one. ( the small ones are probably all the same )

Bazza.
Hey mate, got a link? Been thinking about this for a while because my car just sits around for weeks at a time

[threedogs]

Hey mate, got a link? Been thinking about this for a while because my car just sits around for weeks at a time

That last link of mine Winnie would suit your needs and affordable too

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10W-12V-Portable-SOLAR-TRICKLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-for-car-RV-camp-marine-atv-/351441498394?hash=item51d38bb11a&clk_rvr_id=902105781324&rmvSB=true
Make a lead onto the bar or somewhere out of the way directly to your battery so you just plug it in

[Cuppa]

That last link of mine Winnie would suit your needs and affordable too

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10W-12V-Portable-SOLAR-TRICKLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-for-car-RV-camp-marine-atv-/351441498394?hash=item51d38bb11a&clk_rvr_id=902105781324&rmvSB=true (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/705-53470-19255-0/1?campid=5336709507&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fitm%2F10W-12V-Portable-SOLAR-TRICKLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-for-car-RV-camp-marine-atv-%2F351441498394%3Fhash%3Ditem51d38bb11a%26amp%3Bcl k_rvr_id%3D902105781324%26amp%3BrmvSB%3Dtrue)
Make a lead onto the bar or somewhere out of the way directly to your battery so you just plug it in

No mention of a regulator on that one. I did once have a battery boil dry when left connected to a small unregulated panel over a long period of time - admittedly a much smaller motorcycle battery - but my preference would be for a regulator, even if only a cheapie. Hence the panel I linked to earlier in the thread from a seller I know to be reputable.

It is also possible for a battery to discharge through a panel at night. Connection via a regulator will prevent this occurring.

[AB]

I'm the same as Winnie, car can sit for a while and is killing my battery but all I can find on supercheap site is a little 4w unit with no regulator so you may as well buy cuppas link for that money.

[maasa2002]

Yes. I would think to get one.