Posted August 15, 20186 yr Good morning all I have a bakkie I only use once a month and almost every time the battery is either flat or just about. I want to build (or buy) a small solar trickle charge that will keep the battery floating, any ideas?
August 15, 20186 yr Hi Antony, I like these: https://optimate-battery-charger.co.za/product-category/chargers/ The also can tell if the battery is on its way out, or dead.
August 15, 20186 yr Just buy a small panel and connect it. Car alternators have no fancy charging electronics, they just supply the current the battery requires. I have a a 15W panel I use to keep my tractor battery topped up, but I'm sure a 50W or 100W panel would be fine without a charge controller.
August 15, 20186 yr Author 2 hours ago, DeepBass9 said: Just buy a small panel and connect it. Car alternators have no fancy charging electronics, they just supply the current the battery requires. I have a a 15W panel I use to keep my tractor battery topped up, but I'm sure a 50W or 100W panel would be fine without a charge controller. So I just couple + to + and - to -? Does the panel not short out (or drain when the sun is down) the battery? Found this on BOB https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/359107081/12V_4_5W_Portable_Solar_Panel_Power_Car_Boat_Battery_Charger_Backup_Outdoor.html
August 15, 20186 yr There are diodes on the panel to prevent the battery being drained. Just connect it up and you are good to go.
August 15, 20186 yr 3 hours ago, DeepBass9 said: I have a a 15W panel I use to keep my tractor battery topped up, but I'm sure a 50W or 100W panel would be fine without a charge controller. I would keep to the 10W/15W range, any more than that would almost definitely cook your battery if you are not using a charge controller.
August 15, 20186 yr 9 hours ago, DeepBass9 said: Just buy a small panel and connect it. Car alternators have no fancy charging electronics, they just supply the current the battery requires. I have a a 15W panel I use to keep my tractor battery topped up, but I'm sure a 50W or 100W panel would be fine without a charge controller. Actually a car's alternator is limited to about 14.5V @Anthony I use a small DC-DC buck converter, limited to 14.2V to keep some car batteries charged from a 20W solar panel. it's not as efficient as a MPPT, or probably a PWM charger (10A would cost about R300) but it does it's job
October 2, 20186 yr 1 hour ago, Anthony said: Wrong @Anthony @Antony H sorts before O... I have a suspicion you're going to get mentioned a LOT more often now :-)
October 2, 20186 yr We all have 24V DC power supplies in a box somewhere at home, just buy a small 5A PWM charger and you are set. Like this one: https://thepowerstore.co.za/collections/charge-controller/products/epsolar-landstar-5a-pwm-charge-controller-12v Sorted.
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