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View Full Version : Anyone use a solar trickle charger?

Caffeind
08-31-2010, 08:20 AM
For those long days on the water with the FF and bait pump running. Hoping to keep the juice up longer to use the nav/deck lights into the eve if necessary.

Its a pain to swap batteries on the water with my setup.

Found this one I could strap on the crate or bait tank and wire into the system, but no idea what kind of wattage would be good for this application. This is a 1.8 Watt. They get bigger as the wattage increases.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50012-1-8-Watt-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0006JO0KG/ref=pd_sim_ol_2

Thoughts or suggestions? I'm not too savy with electrical crap. :confused:
Thanks.
Bob Madore
08-31-2010, 08:47 AM
Use a portable diesel generator. They are more reliable.
Caffeind
08-31-2010, 09:10 AM
Use a portable diesel generator. They are more reliable.

I'm sure my X could handle it...but I might not hear them sporties and PBrs comin my way :bigear: :)
467echo
08-31-2010, 11:38 AM
what about a switch for 2 batteries? Install 2 batteries and a switch that goes from one to the other so they are not hooked up at the same time.
Dan
08-31-2010, 11:43 AM
i've used one for charging off the water....i would change your setup so you can access your battery and just pack two.
dfroggy54
08-31-2010, 03:38 PM
what about a switch for 2 batteries? Install 2 batteries and a switch that goes from one to the other so they are not hooked up at the same time.

X2

Maybe if you use the diesel generator you'd be able to generate 1.21 Jigawatts haha
roadx
08-31-2010, 04:12 PM
i believe a rule 360 pump uses 2.1 amps per hour at 12v, the solar panel 1.8 watts would only put out 0.15 amps per hour at 12v

so..... it would help but you would need a few panels or a bigger panel to make a big difference
TheBentRod
08-31-2010, 07:20 PM
Unfortunately the ad mentions it is not weatherproof.
Caffeind
09-01-2010, 06:33 AM
what about a switch for 2 batteries? Install 2 batteries and a switch that goes from one to the other so they are not hooked up at the same time.

That's probably what I'll do. I'm thinking of taking it in for a re-wire already anyways to get the switches off the deck, might be the time to do that. Thanks for the tip.

i believe a rule 360 pump uses 2.1 amps per hour at 12v, the solar panel 1.8 watts would only put out 0.15 amps per hour at 12v

so..... it would help but you would need a few panels or a bigger panel to make a big difference


Unfortunately the ad mentions it is not weatherproof.

Well, that about answers it too. Guess I'll file this one away with all those other lame brain ideas and revert to the fact that if it worked, everybody would already be doing it, eh? Thanks guys.