Anybody using a solar battery charger/maintainer?

  • TheFamousGrouse
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 11660
    March 4, 2015 at 11:21 am #1519497

    Wondering if anybody is using one of those little solar panels to charge or maintain equipment batteries?

    I’ve got a hunting property with no electricity and the electric start equipment like the 4 wheeler tends to sit for long periods of time in the winter. But removing the battery is too much of a PITA.

    Anyone using one of those little solar chargers? I figured I could just put one up in the south facing window of my shed and plug it into the ATV. Would it still work through the window glass or do they have to be outside?

    Since I’m looking at getting a tractor as well, I figure this could be a good little technology to keep batteries fresh. If they actually work.

    Anyone using them?

    Grouse

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    March 4, 2015 at 5:49 pm #1519715

    I’ve seen small solar panels that were hooked to a battery to charge an electric fence. If they will keep an electric fence battery charged they ought to keep batteries fresh.

    Art Green
    Brookfield,WI
    Posts: 733
    March 4, 2015 at 5:59 pm #1519724

    Maintaining a charge- yes. Charging -not so much. They can charge small batteries over a long period of time.

    jbvial
    boscobel wi
    Posts: 4
    March 4, 2015 at 6:07 pm #1519728

    art g is correct, will maintain a charged battery but will not charge a battery. have used on a boat battery the last three years.

    jbvial
    boscobel wi
    Posts: 4
    March 4, 2015 at 6:10 pm #1519737

    art g is correct, will maintain a charged battery but will not charge a battery. have used on a boat battery the last three years.
    to add to your question, mine does charge thru a south facing glass block window.

    sidescan
    Posts: 73
    March 5, 2015 at 9:20 am #1519955

    I use the small ones to maintain my battery’s on a shelf inside shop window all winter to keep them fully charged.Two boat deep cycles, Two motorcycle battery’s,jetski battery, Marcum camera battery and flasher battery’s get hooked up after they have been charged.I have one on my snowmobile soon as I park it at the end of a fishing trip. Leave and forget for past three season’s all winter long, works great for me. Fish safe.

    TheFamousGrouse
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 11660
    March 5, 2015 at 9:24 am #1519961

    Exactly the info I was looking for, thanks everyone. Biggest thing I was wondering about was would they charge through a glass window.

    This should be just the thing I need to keep the ATV battery topped up. It’s sitting in a frozen shed for weeks between uses in the winter, but I don’t want to hassle with removing it.

    I stopped by Northern Tool and found they had the Coleman brand 1.5 AHR on clearance for $14.99. And then I had a $5 off coupon.

    We’ll get her hooked up next time I’m up there.

    Thanks.

    Grouse

    eyekatcher
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 966
    March 5, 2015 at 5:35 pm #1520238

    Might be a difference if it is high performance glass.

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