Solar Chargers for car batteries

Solar Car Battery Chargers: Best Buying Tips

As a handyman mechanic, I have been working with car batteries and alternators for about 20 years. Also during the last 8 years, I have been installing solar power systems in houses-4 so far. So, in my experience, I have found that car batteries, and deep cycle lead acid batteries can definitely be charged on 13.2 volts and in fact I am doing one right now off a Hard Drive 12 V power pack, putting out 0.2 Amps into my 50 AmpHour battery for my boat. It has been in trickle charge state for 36 hours and is now up to 13.7 volts, having started at 12.4 volts(which means it is only 50% full). When it gets to 14 V, I will turn it off and let it sit for 3 hours and check the voltage. I would like a resting voltage of 12.75 if possible. Batteries in reasonable condition can sit on 13.2 whilst charging at low amps indefinitely, all winter if you want. The problem comes if your charger has no regulation and takes the battery to 14.5 volts and leaves it there. Generally car alternators charge a battery at 14.5 volts and should also drop back to lower voltage after a time (depending on the car, it may only take 15 mins for the alternator to restore full charge after starting). Another feature of batteries, is the Equalising charge which a solar panel array will have built into it in the charge controller. So once a month, the controller will allow the battery pack to be slightly over charged, depending on the type of battery and the charging algorithm. Mine used 15.5 volts for 6 hours, only once a month, and this is intended to stir the electrolyte and reduce sulphation, the big battery killer. As far as I know, car charging doesn't do this. Anything over this is NOT GOOD for starting batteries, not even for fast charging. It is likely to heat the battery, bubble off electrolyte and buckle the plates. Good luck with yours, Roger Levy

Coleman Coleman Solar 12 Volt Battery Maintainers - Twin Pack, Model# 58215
Lawn & Patio (Coleman)
  • Built-in overcharge/discharge protection protects the battery (12V battery not included)
  • Maintenance-free, weatherproof solar panels for long life
  • Includes 2 sets of suction cups for easy mounting to the windshield
  • Comes with two sets of alligator battery clamps, two 12V DC plugs and wiring attached to each panel for quick and easy connections
SOLAR SOLAR Pro-Logix PL2320 6/12V Battery Charger/Maintainer - 20 Amp
Automotive Parts and Accessories (SOLAR)
  • Charge and Maintain 6 and 12 Volt Batteries
  • 2/10/20 Amp charge rates for added versatility
  • Fully automatic operation
  • Advanced multi-phase charging process
  • Properly charges all battery types
Schumacher Schumacher SPC-7A 12 Volt Solar Charge Controller
Automotive Parts and Accessories (Schumacher)
  • For use with 12 Volts solar panels and batteries only
  • Provides overcharge protection to the battery and optional load connection to manage discharge of the battery
  • Handles up to 7 ampere of array current and up to 100 watts of solar power
  • Versatile quick-connect clips make easy connections between 12 Volts rechargeable battery, solar panel and load application
  • Environmentally safe - no electricity needed
Excelvan Excelvan 12V 4.5W Portable Car Solar Battery Charger Panels with Cigarette Lighter Plug Mono Crystalline Silicon Motorcycle Solar Panels Charger
Lawn & Patio (Excelvan)
  • Brand: Excelvan (1 year warranty and friendly customer service)
  • Charges in all daylight conditions, even on cloudy days
  • Mono-crystalline silicon solar panel guarantees its high efficiency
  • Supplement power to all your 12V car batteries and creates 4.5 watts of energy
  • Constructed with a built-in blocking diode in its cigarette lighter and clips to prevent reverse discharging
bayite bayite DC 6.5-100V 0-100A LCD Display Digital Current Voltage Power Energy Meter Multimeter Ammeter Voltmeter with 100A Current Shunt
BISS (bayite)
  • Voltage test range: DC 6.5~100V; Current test range: 0~100A
  • Store energy data when power off(can be reset to 0). The blue backlight can be turned on/off manually
  • With overload alarm function(If active power is larger than threshold, backlight and power will flash)
  • Large-screen LCD (display voltage, current, active power, energy at the same time)
  • Note: only display and shunt are included. It doesn t include any wire or accessories

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