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General => The Shed => Topic started by: ceres on August 29, 2009, 20:12:55

Title: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: ceres on August 29, 2009, 20:12:55
Anyone got one/know if they're any good?
Title: Re: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: chriscross1966 on August 29, 2009, 22:53:36
I've used one of the bigger ones (5w) and they maintain ok, I've also got a bigger array (30W) that will keep my liesure cell in the game if I'm ion a festival site where I can't sneak a power feed out to my bus.... that said I've found an easy way to do that now by making sure I'm the guy running power to the stage managers caravan.....
Title: Re: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: hippydave on August 29, 2009, 23:14:30
i use 1 to keep my 2 car batteries topped up on in the lottie shed that is use for the lights and it works very very well.
Title: Re: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: Al37 on August 30, 2009, 01:16:11
Its a case of getting the highest wattage salar charger you can afford.
Anything described as a trickle charger is exactly that. They will keep a maintenance type charge on a car battery over the winter so worth having.
However, if you want something to actually charge a car battery then I would rcomend 12watts or over.
Al
Title: Re: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: RobinOfTheHood on August 30, 2009, 07:13:57
I have a couple of 1.5w chargers, a tenner each from Maplin. One hooked up to a standard size petrol car battery will only maintain charge in the summer months, so I tend to hook both up to one battery, which is much better.

On the other hand, I am not using it a lot so it's not too difficult a job for the chargers - I would say get at least 5w for even the smallest loads you intend to use, and as said above, the bigger the better.  :)
Title: Re: Solar Trickle Chargers
Post by: tim on August 30, 2009, 07:35:18
Have always kept mine plugged in in the car. But Daughter pointed out that there was no red light.

Blpwn fuse!!