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Dan_Johnston · 05-03-2020, 07:04 AM

My knowledge of electric stuff is being able to put D cells in my flashlight. I want to put a small solar powered trickle charger in my 2010 Fleetwood Pluse. Suggestions on what I need to buy would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

Mark_K5LXP · 05-03-2020, 08:49 AM

How much work and expense are you willing to put into it? Options exist from dropping it off at a service shop and picking it up sometime later with an installed system, to sourcing each part, installing them, running wiring and doing the setup all yourself. Nothing wrong with either one, but the roll your own option will test your engineering and mechanical skills.

Either way, I wouldn't put in just a "trickle" charge system. The effort and expense involved installing a small panel vs a larger one is nearly the same, so might as well capitalize on the effort and get something for it. A nominal 120W panel and controller will not only trickle charge but also give you a bit of a boost when boondocking. From there you might decide to expand by adding one or more panels at a future date.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

BCam · 05-03-2020, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

Either way, I wouldn't put in just a "trickle" charge system. The effort and expense involved installing a small panel vs a larger one is nearly the same, so might as well capitalize on the effort and get something for it. A nominal 120W panel and controller will not only trickle charge but also give you a bit of a boost when boondocking. From there you might decide to expand by adding one or more panels at a future date.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I totally agree with Mark, the exception being a small, plug-in, portable panel that would only be used in storage. If you go this route, I suggest figuring out how to mount it so it's not easy to forget (entrance door, windshield, etc.) If I were to go this route, I'd opt for a 25w - 50w panel with a controller plugged into a hard-wired outlet, not the tiny ones that plug into a 12v, cigarette lighter type outlet. The sun exposure angle doesn't have to be perfect since you'll be charging all-day, every day with no draw.

Camper25 · 05-03-2020, 09:17 AM

My camper is in storage, I bought a cheap solar charger from Harbor Freight... it's kept my batteries fully charged for 3 months now. I'm happy...

RollinStone · 05-06-2020, 01:43 PM

Check out this solar trickle charger Battery Tender when your RV is in storage without access to an electrical outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...s%2C570&sr=8-3