Community Forums

BeckyFe · 10-13-2018, 07:39 AM

Time to buy a solar powered trickle charger. Any recommendations? I have two 12 v. house batteries that will be in storage over the winter. My RV is wired for solar, but I am not sure if it has an inverter or not. What all will I need to hook the batteries up to solar panels? Thanks as always for your advice.

A32Deuce · 10-13-2018, 07:42 AM

You don't need an inverter for solar. Just the panels and a controller.

BeckyFe · 10-13-2018, 06:30 PM

Thanks, that helps.

trenchmonkey · 10-22-2018, 06:56 AM

Costco had one awhile back 100 Watts w/controller for ~$100

Harrysait · 10-31-2018, 12:12 PM

Depends on where you are for winter storage, if in snow zone solar won’t help much. If in full sun all winter maybe a 50 watt panel, I would use a minimum of 100 watts with a controller, this will give you some charge in cloudy days also.
Pre-wired could be anything, usually an advertising gimmick. Check size of wire that you have.
Wire down to controller which should be close to the batteries. Wires from controller to batteries, that’s it.
That is for house batteries, how are you charging the starting battery?

OldBeaver · 10-31-2018, 12:28 PM

No need for 100 or even 50 Watts when in storage.
I have used much smaller panel to keep my 2 boat batteries charged before with a solar panel that was maybe 5 Watts.
I bought mine from West Marine and it was smaller than 2'x2'. It came with 2 swappable connectors - battery terminal clips and cigarette lighter plug.
I used the clips.

I have also used that panel to keep a car battery charged over several months.. I set it on the back deck (rear dash) for full exposure.

That is only true if you have nothing turned on inside.