Solar Power: Keeping Your Backcountrys Vehicles and Campers Batteries Charged

[Wicked Monkey]

In this topic, I was wondering your ideas regarding solar power for vehicles and Campers/Trailers. While being a member of Steelsoldiers.com, I came across a topic regarding a product used by the Military and other uses. It's called Solargizer. It retails for over $200+. Although I have seen it go for as low as $30 on eBay. While collecting the suns energy, it has a "Trickle" charge of about 2-7 watts and 1/4-1/2 amps (Pending the model), slowly charging your batteries. More then one Solargizer can be used to help charge faster. I think it's worth a shot to try it out!

What other ideas regarding Solar Power is out there? Feedback is greatly accepted!

 

[SAMI]

I dig... But why not on the roof?

 

[Wicked Monkey]

I dig... But why not on the roof?

I think this blazer owner said there was no room on the roof. If I remember right... I'm sure gonna get this and try it out! I hate coming home to dead batteries or having to connect/disconnect them all the time...

 

[SAMI]

Ah I see. I thought this was your rig, and you'd gotten the idea from someone else. I'm on the same page now.

 

[Tacoma]

there is a company by the name of Goal Zero that makes a huge battery that can charge pretty much anything you've got-- it uses two solar panels to charge, and has an intelligent display to inform you of input charge and time to charge, etc etc. http://www.goalzero.com

 

[Wicked Monkey]

there is a company by the name of Goal Zero that makes a huge battery that can charge pretty much anything you've got-- it uses two solar panels to charge, and has an intelligent display to inform you of input charge and time to charge, etc etc. http://www.goalzero.com

Wow this is great! They have great options and packages. Their prices seem about right! From charging small devices to base camps, they got it all! Great find Tacoma!

 

[ckkone]

Cal-Ranch on 7800 S. had a bunch of Brunton solar panels and accessories on clearance last time I was in there a couple weeks ago. I like the idea of solar as a backup just in case, although I have yet to fully drain both my batteries and I normally don't stay in one place long enough that they wouldn't recharge.

 

[MikeGyver]

It's called Solargizer. It retails for over $200+. Although I have seen it go for as low as $30 on eBay. While collecting the suns energy, it has a "Trickle" charge of about 2-4 amps

Are you saying that panel puts out 2-4amps?
The size of that solar panel puts it around 1 watt. or about .080 amps at 13v output.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

Are you saying that panel puts out 2-4amps?
The size of that solar panel puts it around 1 watt. or about .080 amps at 13v output.

I'll research this more and get back to ya

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...I like the idea of solar as a backup just in case, although I have yet to fully drain both my batteries and I normally don't stay in one place long enough that they wouldn't recharge.

That is kinda where I'm at, I've spent a bunch of time researching the different solar options over the years and in every case I come back to dual batteries or even a dual battery setup and a portable power pack (such as the popular National Luna option), more versatility, guaranteed power on cloudy days and cheaper in the long run. That said I don't normally base camp for more than 2-3 days before moving onto the next site thus charging everything back up. If I were in a week long camp mode I would look into solar as a viable option.

Are you saying that panel puts out 2-4amps?
The size of that solar panel puts it around 1 watt. or about .080 amps at 13v output.

Agreed, if that put out 1/2 ah in the bright of the sun I would honestly be surprised. I think it would be perfect for trickle charging a vehicles battery that could sit in a storage yard for months on end but for any practical purpose powering 12V accessories or rapid charing batteries that are seeing 3+amp/hour drains from lights, fridges, comm devices, etc I don't think it would be worth the investment or holes in your sheet metal.

 

[jackjoh]

At home or in storage a $10 to $15 trickle charger would be easier and cheaper. Most of the solar trickle chargers I have seen are $20 to $100 and 5 or 7 watt at 12 volts which is .4 to .6 amps. Also most of them are carried in a box and attached at camp instead of a permanent mount.

 

[Wicked Monkey]

With all this new technolgy, there has got to be a product out there that isnt el hugo and will break the bank. A friend of mine said he bought two 4'x 6" solar panels for his camper. He had them mounted on the roof. He said they pushed 35watt and kept his batteries charged with all accessories running all day and night. I think he had 4 batteries. It was 20 years ago when he bought them. He said with this modern tech the same size does 120 watt.

I'm thinking a custom made system, specifically for your needs, is the best route.