Small solar trickle charger? please comment if you have experience w/ this!

[NM95Bronco]

Alright members,
So I have to admit I don't daily drive the Bronco as much as I would like, but this ole 1995 5.0 Bronco eats the gas $$$$
I have a viper alarm on the rig, which drains the battery really slowly, and I just replaced my battery with a yellow top AGM by Optima.

I know, I know, drive it a bit each week to keep the amps up, but is there a backup plan in case I am gone for a bit longer?

Has anyone had luck with solar trickle chargers that have their own controller built in? I am looking into a few that have hundreds of reviews in the positive, but
I would like to hear opinions from like-minded people who aren't potentially amazon bots!

Let me know your thoughts on this.

=)

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I have an old Harbor Freight one with no controller and it'll fry your battery if you forget about it...

 

[pl626]

I'm assuming the Bronco is parked outside? Solar is definitely a good option, if you don't want to mess with routine driving to charge the battery. You can add a charge controller if you're concerned about overcharging. Otherwise, use a smart charger to trickle charge. Only issue with smart chargers is that they won't charge if the battery voltage falls below a minimum, usually about 10.5V.

Solar Charge controller

 

[NM95Bronco]

I am going to try one that has a controller and an anti-reverse charge diode on a separate battery to see how effective it is, before it goes on my rig. CYA right

 

[smritte]

My buddy has something like that one. He leaves it on the dash where it will get light a good part of the day. His battery still lost charge. It turns out, he plugged it into the cigarette lighter which is disconnected from power with the key off.
I gave him some magnets. It now sits on his hood, with clamps to his battery

 

[bcmedicxj]

I've used this one since last April and it has worked very well. Amazon has it for about $110.00. It was $85 last year...inflation I guess. I maintain a deep cycle battery that I keep stored in my trailer box for my 12v power source at night.

 

[NM95Bronco]

Excellent. I purchased a bluetooth battery monitor off amazon for 24 bucks, I'll get an alert when or if it's low, and can monitor it.

 

[MOAK]

Keeping your AGM battery topped off is the best thing you can do for it. At home I use a Schumacher 3 amp charger/maintainer. Not cheap. At camp we keep em topped off with a solar array and a Renogy Adventurer controller. It's a little more money but I'd go with a separate 20 watt panel ( 30 bucks or so ) and an inexpensive Renogy controller, (10 amps for 20 bucks) That way if you ever decide to go with solar power at camp, it's all there and ready to go, just get a bigger panel. It's kinda like home stereo components, separate amps, integrated amps, receivers, etc are always better than integrated receivers. Good luck with your search.

 

[ZombieCat]

If you’re going to be gone for a while, why not just remove the battery, put it in your garage and use a trickle charger? I do this with the lead acid deep cycle battery for my trailer’s solar system in winter. I have a Schumacher SC1280, which cost about $50 from Amazon. 15v rapid charge/3v float charge, controller to prevent overcharging. Schumacher has a variety of products.

 

[FishinCrzy]

Following this thread because I need some solar chargers. I have way too many batteries to keep up. I love my Schumacker chargers, I have two of these since most of my batteries/chargers can be connected to the grid. This one is really light and portable:


I didn't pay quite that much but everything is getting more expensive. Still worth it. I reckon solar is getting more expensive too. Solar seems good for maintaining but sometimes my problem is recharging trolling batteries when fishing multiple days in remote locations. Only answer I can come up with is either multiple backup batteries or use a generator which is also problematic. Li ion batteries charge quick but to dang aspensive for most uses. I do have one 1000 watt/hr Li that I have contemplated plugging the charger into to charge a bank on a boat that can't be swapped.

Technology seems to be advancing rapidly with solar. What I need is the thin, light, flexible panels to mount on my hood, roof, RTT, etc., to keep my Li Ion with built in controller charged. I know it's out there, just haven't talked to anyone who is doing it. Anyone? Weight and durability is my main concern for that application.

 

[DMS1]

Use a Battery Tender 5-45 Watt Automatic Solar Charge Controller with that panel so you dont fry your battery.

Battery Tender 5-45 Watt Automatic Solar Charge Controller

 

[ZombieCat]

I realize this is a bit off the main topic, but @FishinCrzy brings up several important points regarding solar panels: Durability vs. weight and positioning of the panels. I currently use two 300w Jackery power stations with 100w panels. I’d originally ordered the Rockpals setup, but the flimsy (yet lightweight) solar panels were a no-go for many areas of the western U.S. due to windy conditions. Yes, Wyoming, I’m talking about you…and sometimes California. The Jackery panels are a bit heavier, but their rigidity seems to render them a bit sturdier. I either tie them flat to the rack on top of my trailer or use tent stakes/guy lines to anchor them to the ground. The actual power station is kept inside the trailer or truck. They’ve held through some pretty harsh winds, so no complaints.

 

[FishinCrzy]

There are options available like these:

Toyota Tacoma Parts & Accessories | TACOMABEAST

Tacomabeast is your one-stop shop for everything Toyota Tacoma! Choose from our great selection of parts and accessories. Buy now! Fast shipping.

tacomabeast.com

Lots of $ for the watts though. Hard to justify that. I have two hundred watt panels that I have never really used because they are just a little too heavy to haul around. Doable but... Good for backup when the apocalypse comes.

 

[pl626]

There are options available like these:

Toyota Tacoma Parts & Accessories | TACOMABEAST

Tacomabeast is your one-stop shop for everything Toyota Tacoma! Choose from our great selection of parts and accessories. Buy now! Fast shipping.

tacomabeast.com

Lots of $ for the watts though. Hard to justify that. I have two hundred watt panels that I have never really used because they are just a little too heavy to haul around. Doable but... Good for backup when the apocalypse comes.

That is a nice system, and it's available for more than Tacos, but sure costs a lot of tacos...

 

[FishinCrzy]

This looks like what I've been looking for. Seems like a fairly new product from Renology.

200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The Renogy 200W Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel enhances module efficiency while minimizing its weight. It is the perfect option for any off-grid solar system, especially for transportation applications such as RVs and boats. This solar panel frame features a lightweight substrate and...

www.renogy.com

Now, if I can figure out how to secure it on my RTT? Anyone have any insights?

 

[NM95Bronco]

Amazing replies so far everyone! as for RTT I think the question is what rtt you have and if its a shell its obvious, but if it's not then maybe hang it? I have a renogy 175 thats semi flexible.. and i use that for my jackeries,,,,. but a rooftop tent is a challenge.

 

[HighVoltOverland]

This looks like what I've been looking for. Seems like a fairly new product from Renology.

200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The Renogy 200W Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel enhances module efficiency while minimizing its weight. It is the perfect option for any off-grid solar system, especially for transportation applications such as RVs and boats. This solar panel frame features a lightweight substrate and...

www.renogy.com

Now, if I can figure out how to secure it on my RTT? Anyone have any insights?

On a previous rig I used “eternabond roof seal” to essentially tape the panel to the top of my rtt
They were both flat so it worked well
No leaks, pooling, any issues for the three years they were attached

I now have a condor overland
I have a cheap set of unistrut crossbars that mount to the panels (rigid) and then to the T track on the tent it is a bit bulkier but allows me to keep the panel of when around town and not needing the extra weight

 

[Boucher]

I use this from amazon mounted up on top of the vehicle (the roof rack) , has worked really well for past 2 years

 

[Prerunner1982]

Not a bad deal right now for a Renogy 50w flexible panel and controller. Would need a short run of cable but that's easy enough.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've been using a Battery Tender 10W solar charger I place in the windshield and plug in to the lighter port. Keeps my AGM above 95% at all times.