Charging with Solar Panels

[Big Rig]

Does anyone have experience??? A buddy gave me a 25 watt panel and I am wondering if I can hook up a trickle charger to charge my bike battery....

[Rams]

My experience with solar powered chargers is not all that good.   But my neighbor used one to keep his bass boat trolling batteries charged and according to him, they worked well.   He bought some really expensive versions, I had a cheaper version.   I guess, you get what you pay for.
Good luck with that unit.

Rams

[gordonv]

I used to store my car outside after I transferred my insurance to my MC, and put a 1W solar panel directly to the battery. This kept it charged for the summer.

[pais]

    Not looking to hi-jack but, no sense in starting another.
    Wondering if anyone has used the Harbor Freight solar set up? Last couple of years been thinking of buying one. I would like to use it to power our swimming pool pump.

[The emperor has no clothes]

    Not looking to hi-jack but, no sense in starting another.
    Wondering if anyone has used the Harbor Freight solar set up? Last couple of years been thinking of buying one. I would like to use it to power our swimming pool pump.

I've used one. I kept it on our motorhome to keep the batteries charged. I don't think it would have enough power for your pump.

[da prez]

  V W include a solar battery charger with the 2006 and 2006 Jettas. I kept them both. We had a patio party and I plugged an electric cooler into the car and used the charger to see what would happen. Six or eight hours later , the car started. On an earlier trip , I left the cooler running in the car and the car would not start the next morning.
  If I needed another one , I would search flee-bay or amazon to see if they are available. It is a plug and play.  V W is not including them in the newer cars.

                                              da prez

[Jess Tolbirt]

    Not looking to hi-jack but, no sense in starting another.
    Wondering if anyone has used the Harbor Freight solar set up? Last couple of years been thinking of buying one. I would like to use it to power our swimming pool pump.

check the wattage of the pump, or the amperage, to power a pump you will need a few of them, solar panels are usd to charge batteries and the batteries power an inverter, if the load is more than the capabilities of the panels your batteries will die..your pump probably pulls at least 10 amps, and you would need 5 panels to keep up..plus the cost of the inverter. that is single phase 120v.. if your pump is 220v then a more expensive inverter will be needed..

[t-man403]

25 watt is a lot for a battery without a voltage regulator so you don't overcharge the battery.

I bought a small one for my truck as it sits for lengthy periods. Plugs into your 12 volt socket.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-2-5-watt-12-volt-solar-battery-maintainer-0112007p.html

[semo97]

check out livestock electric fence charges that are solar to battery

[Big Rig]

The panel is from HF...

I will let you know how it works...

[Stephenlac]

Hello Folks,
    I use 2 of the Harbor Freight Solar panels and the controller that has a volt and amp meter.
They keep 3 group 27 deep cycle lead acid batteries charged while the boat sits all week on the mooring.

[Big Rig]

   Not looking to hi-jack but, no sense in starting another.
   Wondering if anyone has used the Harbor Freight solar set up? Last couple of years been thinking of buying one. I would like to use it to power our swimming pool pump.

I was giving one this summer as a gift...I put it on my boat and use it as a trickle charger....battery is always topped off...now would the battery not be topped off if I did not use it??? maybe...

I will let you know if the battery dies while I am running my fish finder...

Over all, I am happy that the battery is always ready to go when needed...

[Valkorado]

25 watt is a lot for a battery without a voltage regulator so you don't overcharge the battery.

I bought a small one for my truck as it sits for lengthy periods. Plugs into your 12 volt socket.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-2-5-watt-12-volt-solar-battery-maintainer-0112007p.html

Yes, get a regulator for that.  It will also prevent overcharge and backflow at night or on a cloudy day.  You don't want to go over 10 watts for a direct connection from panel to battery.

Something like this. This one uses SAE connections like many of the HF panels.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panels-Charge-Controller-12V-Battery-Regulator-7A-Safe-Protection-12Volt-Solar/283603003366?epid=27028267801&hash=item42080e67e6:g:rUYAAOSw~oldboHi

[Gryphon Rider]

25 watt is a lot for a battery without a voltage regulator so you don't overcharge the battery.

I bought a small one for my truck as it sits for lengthy periods. Plugs into your 12 volt socket.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-2-5-watt-12-volt-solar-battery-maintainer-0112007p.html

Yes, get a regulator for that.  It will also prevent overcharge and backflow at night or on a cloudy day.  You don't want to go over 10 watts for a direct connection from panel to battery.

Something like this. This one uses SAE connections like many of the HF panels.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panels-Charge-Controller-12V-Battery-Regulator-7A-Safe-Protection-12Volt-Solar/283603003366?epid=27028267801&hash=item42080e67e6:g:rUYAAOSw~oldboHi

T-man's panel has diodes to prevent discharging the battery, and at 2.5 Watts connected to a car battery, should be fine without a regulator.  But, yes, a charge controller should be used with a higher wattage PV system.