Remembert those solar panels VW  dealers used to have in the windshields of cars sitting on the lot. I got one somewhere and I think it was rated at 18? watts. Would that maintain a battery? I think they only used them for one model year.
Spencer

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sun, Sep 3, 2017 8:47 pm
Subject: Re: solar battery charger or tender options

These small solar battery maintainers are really only useful for overcoming a batteries self-discharge and the small parasitic loads of unused vehicles such as clocks and radio memory etc. They do not produce enough power to handle any real loads, not even charging your cell phone. Overall most of these are best use for cluttering your glove box or other cramped storage areas. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Caron
Sent: Sunday, September 3, 2017 5:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: solar battery charger or tender options

Hi volks,

        I noticed in the go westy flier a solar battery tender.  A friend mentioned having one years ago for his RV and used it for many years with good success. 

        I don’t plan on a big set up any time soon but I’ve seen solar auto chargers or tenders on amazon for $20.00 and up. 

I thought about getting a simple one to put in the windshield when camping off grid to boost my house battery a little.  

Anyone have any thoughts about this or any experience ?  Or even a recommendation on which one?

Eric Caron