Solar trickle charger from Maplins

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12mp82
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Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:12 pm
Location: outside

Solar trickle charger from Maplins

Post by 12mp82 »

A post on another area got me looking for more information, justy how capable are the Maplin solar trickle chargers when attached to a liesure battery, So I looked at a few motoring forums I read and found this on http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=69513
A £10 Maplins charger at 1W will give you 0.08A at full efficiency. Assuming you have the average 110Ah battery, that means it would take nearly 14 hours of bright sunlight to charge the battery 1% (1.1 / 0.08 = 13.75).
I somehow thought a flat to full leisure battery would likely take a bit more than 12 hrs., it looks like it is only 1% in 14 hours, so I,ll need to look for something a bit bigger for the garage light :(

Anyone got a set up for a remote garage light using solar please?
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short circuit

Re: Solar trickle charger from Maplins

Post by short circuit »

I got some cells of ebay and nocked up a 70w pannel on a bit of board there a sod for cracking when soldering them but it works
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madmedic
Posts: 244
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:03 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Solar trickle charger from Maplins

Post by madmedic »

if it is to keep it charged it works fine. i have one on the landrover. but i wouldnt rely on it to keep charging the battery if you are using it.. just to stop it going flat when im not
Give a man fire and he will be warm for a day..
Set him on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his life..
junmist
Posts: 1496
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 5:39 am

Re: Solar trickle charger from Maplins

Post by junmist »

Have you looked at the shed solar lighting that you can get mine worked for quite a while until the horse got it that is :lol:
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piglet
Posts: 276
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:49 pm
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Re: Solar trickle charger from Maplins

Post by piglet »

:idea:
I have a number of 12v leisure batteries I use occasionally for various, but am not reliant upon.
I try not to let them drop below 50% discharge.

When one does need charging I simply permenently connect it to a small 4w solar panel that is constantly set up in a position to receive maximum sunlight.
At this time of year it takes something like 2 weeks to bring it back to full charge.

For my needs, at this time, it works well, but one would need to scale up according to your needs.

Big is better....but adapting is cheaper

piglet
ain't settlin'