Storage solar battery charger

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We’ll be storing our truck outside without electricity for 3 months or so. I’ve heard of others who have connected a small portable solar battery charger of sorts to there truck while sitting for long periods of time. Anyone on Tugnuts with this experience and or a product recommendation?

Jim F

 

[Pilotnavigator]

We have a small solar charger from Canadian tire in Canada that you plug into the cigarette lighter and leave on the dash. You don’t need many amps. My truck measures 0.5 amps per hour. So a 5 watt charger is all you need. Other option is to disconnect the negative line at the battery. You will loose radio configuration etc. But will ensure nothing happens to the electrical system while you are gone. The charger works for us but we only leave it for a few weeks.

 

[Trisailor]

I use a small solar panel (Battery Tender) for my dinghy battery while it sits stored on the trailer. It maintains the battery pretty well. I've been using it now for about 5 years with no issues. it comes with a charge controller built in and a nice plastic frame. I think it would work well sitting on a dashboard.

 

[ixlr8]

For 3 months, you need to either disconnect the neg battery terminal, or put it on a solar panel charger. If you get a solar panel charger, make sure it has some sort of charge controller. Even a 10w solar panel can cook a battery if voltages get too high with out some sort of control/regulation.

 

[chicagosam]

Go to Harbor Freight in Traverse City and buy this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-watt-s ... 63940.html

I have a few for some work trucks I store at my yard, 2 amps max DC wont cook your battery.

Place on your dashboard facing the sun .