Lister Engine Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: guest23837 on November 26, 2018, 04:15:45 PM

Title: Solar Chargers
Post by: guest23837 on November 26, 2018, 04:15:45 PM
I have been reading a lot about solar panels and chargers (thanks Glort) so I thought I would look on  a well known auction site for a brand name charger. Sealey is quite a big name in tools in Ireland UK

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-12V-Car-Van-Boat-Caravan-Camper-Solar-Panel-Trickle-Battery-Charger-SPP01/391318364802?epid=1504301032&hash=item5b1c646282:g:u8UAAOSwaPNb9AOo:rk:1:pf:0

Note that this isn't waterproof!
Title: Re: Solar Chargers
Post by: BruceM on November 26, 2018, 04:33:48 PM
Sealy no doubt is just labeling products from China.  I would not be afraid of the simple, inexpensive on/off type charge regulators from China.  Basic designs, and totally adequate for the job.  I still use one for my engine shed 12V system, in service for 10 years, still going despite a lightning strike which fried some other electronics.

Title: Re: Solar Chargers
Post by: guest23837 on November 26, 2018, 04:41:21 PM
I would have thought that being able to be outside in all weathers was a prerequisite for a solar panel  :-\
Title: Re: Solar Chargers
Post by: mike90045 on November 26, 2018, 07:01:22 PM
In America, there's an ongoing market for dashboard panels used to keep car batteries charged while being shipped overseas for delivery to dealers.  VW uses many of them.   Since they sit inside the car on the dashboard, they are not waterproof
Title: Re: Solar Chargers
Post by: guest23837 on November 27, 2018, 09:41:02 AM
Hi Glort  thanks for the info! I have what used to be a coal shed it's not wired for power. We keep logs and stuff in it and it's damp so I don't want to put 230v into it. I thought a car battery and a 12v PIR light would be the easiest way to light it. Obviously the charger I linked to would be useless I really didn't think it would do I was just wondering why Sealey would even add their name to what is basically a toy solar panel. I know you can get a solar shed light that comes with a little panel you mount outside but I imagine its pretty pathetic in terms of the light it produces but of course  I could be wrong. I have a little cree torch which seems to be left lens down and in the on position whenever anyone uses it, Grrrr. There is a small hand squeezed dynamo torch in the shed it seems to be too much trouble for modern people to use all that squeezing really takes it out of you apparently!
So in order to maintain and maybe top up a battery what size charger would I need? Would it require a charge controller. The battery I have is 36 amp small car battery