Solar Trickle Charger

[3RRL]

This may have been discussed previously, but does anyone have any information about solar powered trickle chargers with that "float mode" feature? It's a feature that charges the battery when it's low and shuts off when it's full... Then turns on again when the battery falls below maximum charge... Repeating the cycle as needed to keep from overcharging the battery.

I am interested in solar because I have no power where my tractor is except a generator at this time. I would apprciate any information, weblinks or suggestions.
Thanks,

 

[IslandTractor]

Most solar trickle chargers are not high enough capacity even in bright summer sunshine to overcharge a automobile/tractor battery. Adding such circuitry just ups the price unnecessarily.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with the other poster.. Most solar chargers are doing good at pushing a few electrons along thru the battery in directlight. This staves off discharging due to setting.. I use the 9.99$ cheapies from the chinese tool store to 'tend' my cargo van and ih cub.. that get driven like once a year... they both always have strong batteries during that '1' start.

Soundguy

 

[yugo]

Rob, On your solar power charger, you might look at www.harborfreight.com. As Sound Guy said you can spend $10- $200. Just don't confuse watts with amps(most solar panels are listed in watts). This site has several options. Good luck - Yugo

 

[crazymike]

It's cheaper to make your own trickle charger.

The solar panel is like $50-$100 and the battery tender/charge controller is like $15

http://store.sundancesolar.com/conincommor.html

 

[Soundguy]

I imagine a 12v solar 'game-feeder' charger.. or the harbor freight ones I mentioned would be a tad easier on the wallet..

The HF units actually have a not-so-chincy microcontroller in them to controll charge voltage.. etc.. not exactly a float charger.. but close as you can get for 9.99$ and free soalr energy..

Soundguy

 

[crazymike]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I imagine a 12v solar 'game-feeder' charger.. or the harbor freight ones I mentioned would be a tad easier on the wallet..

The HF units actually have a not-so-chincy microcontroller in them to controll charge voltage.. etc.. not exactly a float charger.. but close as you can get for 9.99$ and free soalr energy..

Soundguy )</font>

That device is hardly chincy. It runs my live stock water tenders all winter long in -20c and below. I havn't had to replace one yet.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I picked up a cheep solar unit at harbor freight. Now I am looking for an exterior cigarette lighter plug I can add to my tractor to plug it into. I have looked on the net an can not find an exterior cigarette lighter plug any ideas/sorces?

 

[HGM]

Try this... You can probably find it at Radio Shack too.

 

[Scrounger]

Tom

Check out Powerlet. http://www.powerletproducts.com/products.php?mid=1 I use them all the time for my snowmobile, ATV and motorcycle use. If you call them they will have exactly what you need and its all waterproof.