Summit Racing 12v Solar 5.5 Watt Charger

[d30gaijin]

Might anyone have any experience with this or similar 5.5 Watt solar battery chargers? I will only be using 12v DC for three interior double fixture 12v DC incandescent lights and a single fixture porch light, and that at night. I have no other use at this time for 12v DC in my trailer. I plan to go with a 27 series battery and am wondering how this charger might do with respect to those specifications?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-900148
Thanks for any help,

Don

[bdosborn]

A panel that size probably won't do much more than maintain a fully charged battery, its too little. And its expensive. I'd look in the 40-60 watt range if you want a panel that will keep up with your usage. Try eBay for panels that cost less per watt.

Bruce

[Ageless]

Watage is at the best; gonna give you 60 - 75% of advertised value. Even at rated wattage, you will be getting less tham 1/2 amp/hour. These units are meant to maintain a battery with no load.

Even with your minimal usage; you will need at leasyt 2 amps of charging; and that's if you can get 100% sun exposure.

The 3 panel 45 watt set-up from Harbor Freight is about $170; yea it's bulky, but cheaper per watt.

[wannabefree]

The HF panels are really inefficient. I got a 20W panel that is half the size of one HF 15W panel for $70. Shop around; you can do a lot better than HF. You will probably also want a charge controller.

[Ageless]

I'd rather go with a wind generator. The sun only is up and useful for limited hours. Wind will generate at night.

[Engineer Guy]

Find your math 'comfort level' at one of the Sites linked below, and then run the numbers. Even though your usage is slight, it's worthwhile to size the Panel to the Battery to avoid an under-performing system, or wasting money by oversizing a component:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=c ... ery+sizing

[TPMcGinty]

Ive got one of these to top off my battery during the day. So far it works well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Briefcase-Solar-Panel-Power-charger-Quality-13-Watts-/320492249276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

[d30gaijin]

Thank you all for your excellent advice and links. I now have a much better idea of what I will need in terms of solar power, and the Summit kit isn't it.

Don