Solar Trickle Chargers?

[The Codfather of Sole]

Just a quick question.... are these worth bothering with Hooked one of the cheapies from Maplin (£9.99) up at the weekend.....

Any experiences on using them would be helpful ;D

Cheers

Dale

[sandpipper]

Ive got one screwed to the outside of my garrage to charge my batterys and must say it works a treat.Tony

[monkeynuts]

hi dale
not much of a fan of them
we've fitted loads to boats at work and then removed them next year, cos thay dont make any real difference.and thay were ment to be the dogs danglys
might be ok for helping keep your battary up over winter if kept warmish and when its not been used. but it wont replace charge lost from using equipment,lights, engine cranking and frost discharge.
not saying to suck eggs but id stick with putting your battarys on charge the old way and keep the water levals up.

bit off topic but might be of intrest for us boat owners , esp as lead is getting pricey.
is if you look after a battary. ie:- keep water topped up, regular charges from engine(for at least 20min) or mains and dont leave it in the frost with out using for long peroids of time thay will normally last 5 years problem free, after 5 years its a ticking bomb.so id replace and keep it as a spare for nite fishing lighting till its death.
know it sounds bit simple but most people dont bother and then pay the price

cheers john

[BrianR]

Hi
A few boats near mine have them, good for keeping the battery topped up while on the mooring, (replaces what the auto bilge pump uses).

Regards,
Brian

[brianjb61]

I have put one on my boat which is sitting on the drive at the moment. The little led is flashing to say it's charging under the street light on the end of the drive, when I get a couple of minutes I'll put a meter on it and check it.