Solar Charging Panels

[Piperflyer]

Thinking of buying a portable solar 15 watt 12 volt solar panel from harbor freight to keep my tractor battery charged when not in use. Don't use the tractor much. Do these things work that well and is it worth while to buy one?
Thanks

 

[k0ua]

Thinking of buying a portable solar 15 watt 12 volt solar panel from harbor freight to keep my tractor battery charged when not in use. Don't use the tractor much. Do these things work that well and is it worth while to buy one?
Thanks

I use a little 1.5 watt one for my small JD lawn mower, and yes they work well, it stays on it all winter, never have battery discharge problems any more. I don't know if you need on as big as 15 watts to keep a battery on trickle charge though. My little lawn mower is in a building without electricity, but has a south facing window, the solar trickle charger is mounted at about 45 degrees in that window.

1.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger

James K0UA

 

[Ehanson]

I would figure the charge rate a panel gives to a battery. I would suggest using a controller so that if battery voltage reaches 14.5 volts or so, it dumps the charge off.
I use a small 3"x12" panel in the window of my pick-up throughout the winter and the battery was well charged in the spring. I now use the charger throughout the summer to charge a battery for LED lights in a garden shed. Works very well.

 

[crazyal]

A coworker has a 2008 Ford 3/4 ton diesel. He rarely uses it and lately he would find the battery dead. He bought one that fits on the dash and plugs into the cigarette lighter and never had an issue again.

 

[HUCKthe1]

I use one to keep the battery charged on my welding machine generator. I have another one I fit up with LED's, and wired my porch to be lit at night. I have a small motorcycle battery connected to that panel and the lights are on all night. I never have a dead battery on my welding machine now either. Works great.