Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: LifesGrand on April 09, 2009, 11:01:22 AM

Title: 1.8W 12VDC Solar Battery Charger Question?
Post by: LifesGrand on April 09, 2009, 11:01:22 AM

I have thought about carrying a solar trickle charger in the truck for emergency & found a 1.8 WATT 12V on sale.
Can anyone tell me if this will work for my heeps battery or is this more for a bike or ATV application?
Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: 1.8W 12VDC Solar Battery Charger Question?
Post by: w squared on April 09, 2009, 11:46:13 AM

1.8 Watts at 12 volts = 0.15 amps.

Technically, yes this will charge a vehicle's battery..but it will take you at least a week of sunny days to get enough of a charge into the battery to make a real difference.

You could maybe use it to maintain a charged vehicle battery if you were not going to use the vehicle for a while - or use it to "top up" a 12 volt system if you were running a low current drain appliance off of it (portable radio, LED lighting, phone charger, etc.).

Title: Re: 1.8W 12VDC Solar Battery Charger Question?
Post by: LifesGrand on April 09, 2009, 11:58:04 AM

Thanks for the reply...
This may not be the application I'm looking for then.
I'm looking for something that will save me if I'm out camping alone & the batt dies, guess I'll have to look into a rechargeable boost pack then & they cost a bit more then I was hoping to pay for.

Happy Easter!

Title: Re: 1.8W 12VDC Solar Battery Charger Question?
Post by: w squared on April 09, 2009, 12:16:20 PM

Gotcha.

I just took a look at Ukranian Tire, and any solar panels that will make an appreciable difference in a Heep's battery are more expensive than their 300 amp boost pack.