Solar Maintenance Chargers

84stix on 28/11/2023 - 18:21

I have been looking at Solar Maintenace Chargers for a while to keep in the car when camping and came across one for $25 on ebay. Arlec 5w Maintenance Solar Charger.

I know its only 5 watts but it will charge battery I use to run lights when off grid Camping

My question is, would one be sufficient to keep charging 3 batteries (thinking time wise and sun conditions) or should I buy one for each small car battery ?

Does anyone have any experience with these Solar maintenance chargers and has anyone got any hacks where it can be used to charge other things? Rather than the battery. It doesnt have a usb on it but can one be added?

Supercheap has 1.5w $39.99 and 4.8w for$69.99 in their own brand , so $25 for the Arlec 5w one seems ok

Thanks

Home & Garden Solar Panel

Comments

  • Mechz on 28/11/2023 - 18:30
    +1

    I got one from Jaycar. Was cheaper than the above at the time. I would just get 1 per battery.

  • GordonD on 28/11/2023 - 18:35
    +2

    Solar maintenance chargers are designed and sold to only maintain car batteries at full charge when the car isn't used for a period of time. Car batteries slowly lose charge, and there's usually some things that keep drawing small amounts of power even when the car's ignition is off. Solar maintenance chargers just keep the battery topped up so that when you need the car the battery isn't flat.

    You don't use them to recharge batteries that are being drained by being used to run lights off when you are camping. They don't pump enough charge into batteries fast enough to be used for that purpose.

  • brendanm on 28/11/2023 - 18:44

    5w is a complete waste of time and money.

  • Muzeeb on 28/11/2023 - 19:02

    This is what you need

    • 84stix on 28/11/2023 - 20:18

      That one too expensive and takes up to much room, hence the $25 Arlec one

      • Muzeeb on 28/11/2023 - 20:25

        At least it will charge your batteries. Up to you

      • brendanm on 28/11/2023 - 20:34

        It'll actually work though.

  • mapax on 29/11/2023 - 07:19

    only 5 watts but it will charge battery I use to run lights when off grid Camping

    Doubt.

    would one be sufficient to keep charging 3 batteries

    No.

    Does anyone have any experience with these Solar maintenance chargers

    Yes. The Arlec one I had barely kept the battery charged over summer and the battery went flat over winter. This was on a Suzuki Sierra with practically no computer BS like modern vehicles have.

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