On 3/18/05 9:50, "Barb Cotton" <cottonscrafts@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> I need some advice. I am getting an Optima battery installed to run my stuff
> when I am camped, and want to get a solar charger to keep the power up when I
> am parked. I am looking at 2 different ones in the Northern Tool and Equipment
> Catalog. One is small enuf to sit on the dash, maintains 12 volt car, truck,
> MC, boat, or RV batteries for $29.99. The other does all that plus says it is
> ideal for deep cycle, otherwise similiar to the cheaper one, for $69.99. Also
> quite a bit bigger. I don't want to spend more money than I have to, but want
> to get one that will work for me. Will the smaller one work,  or should I get
> the bigger one??
> 
> 
> Barb
> 83 Westy
> 
> Never regret.
> If it's good, it's wonderful.
> If it's bad, it's experience.
> Victoria Holt

These solar panels are only good for keeping a battery "topped"  they are
useless for anything else.  Did a project using 8 of those small panels and
found that even that many were not of any real use.  You need a minimum of
about 30 watts from a solar charger to do any recharging of the battery.  If
you are not using anything on that battery you will be recharged in about 24
hours.  (if the sun was out for 24 hours).  That means you really need about
90 watts output to charge a battery in one day.  These panels are about 4
foot long and two foot high and run about 420 bucks a panel.  Can be found
at RV stores.
����������������������������������������
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com