Fireslayer
West Coast
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Joined: 10/20/2009
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I have a small solar panel that is about 6X18, and it plugs into a cig. lighter.
If I leave it in my window for numerous days, will it draw the current from the battery at night? It really doesn't put out much juice, but something is better than nothing, so I'll use it if it won't cause damage.
Thanks
Dave
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eaw46
Regina Sask. Canada
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Joined: 03/23/2007
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If its in the sun all day the then it will put more charge in during the day that the small LED light will draw out at night. Make sure snow does not cover the windshild and block the sun from getting to the panel or it will not work. Eddy
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Electricity from the Sun by phred
If this does not help try a search. In general small solar panels are not very effective. They must be in direct sun and then may maintain a battery. You might add the wattage of your panel to your post. I would suspect 15 to 20 watts.
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trucker_101
Regina SK Area
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Fireslayer wrote:I have a small solar panel that is about 6X18, and it plugs into a cig. lighter.
If I leave it in my window for numerous days, will it draw the current from the battery at night? It really doesn't put out much juice, but something is better than nothing, so I'll use it if it won't cause damage.
Thanks
Dave I have the same solar charger. I've used it for at least two years now "full time" it works great,I've never had a dead or low battery of either the starting battery or the other batteries.Where I live it regularly gets down to -30 in the winters, this way I've never had a frozen dead battery.
1973 32ft Airstream
1985 28ft Ford Class C Royal Classic
1986 38ft Enroute 5th Wheel
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Could put a diode in series to prevent that but it would lower the charge rate a little.
Papa Bob
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Fireslayer
West Coast
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Joined: 10/20/2009
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I have the same solar charger. I've used it for at least two years now "full time" it works great,I've never had a dead or low battery of either the starting battery or the other batteries.Where I live it regularly gets down to -30 in the winters, this way I've never had a frozen dead battery.[/color]
Is this something that I can plug in and leave for a month at a time?
Dave
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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I too have a similar panel with the Coleman name on it, rated at 15 watts. It works great for me but mine does not have an LED. I believe the panel has a diode at the output to prevent back current - most of them do. Have you checked to see if the LED remains on in the dark?
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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I use solar to keep four different batteries charged. All work well. Three are 5 watt, and HTTTH is a 15 watt. All mine have a diode built in to prevent battery discharge at night.
Chuck
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trucker_101
Regina SK Area
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Fireslayer wrote:Is this something that I can plug in and leave for a month at a time?
Dave
I should add that the one I use is a "trickle charger" If yours is any larger than a trickle charger then you should use a "Charge controller" to keep your batteries from being over charged.
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murffdog
Poughkeepsie, NY
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I removed the LED light by changing the plug, works great.
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