Solar 5 watt w/no controller

[bruce10]

I was talking with a man at a camp ground couple weeks ago and I was have trouble keeping my battery charged and he told me that with a 5 watt solar panel I did not need a controller as it would not over charge my battery. I have never use the solar panel because I did not have a controller. I am not well versed on solar but I don't want to ruin my battery. Comments ?

[Fire Instructor]

Five watts, in very bright sun, tilted to the correct sun aspect, might provide enough of a trickle charge to overcome the parasite load of the three detectors (gas, CO, and smoke). It won't cover the 12v circuit draw of a fridge running on propane, nor will it handle much (if any) lighting uses.

[RubenZ]

At minimum I would get this 15Watt Charger with this Controller

[CorpusBragg]

I'm in agreement with RubenZ. Had to use the 15W panel I bought from Harbor Freight just to keep up with the drain referenced by Fire Instructor.

[BackInAction]

Assuming I get the 15W setup listed above, does the battery get charged from the solar panel while driving or only from the TV?

I'm looking for a minimal setup that will keep my battery topped of while in storage and (if possible) assist with charging while I'm driving between campsites (I'm expecting to have several back-to-back "one nighters" on a trip next year).

[miatared]

Me thinks you should simply install a Disconnect switch and shut everything down between those one-nighters.

That is what I do - best bang for the buck.

I think they are too many variables: view of the sun, how much sun and so on, even 15W will not produce that much...

[BackInAction]

Originally Posted by miatared

Me thinks you should simply install a Disconnect switch and shut everything down between those one-nighters.

That is what I do - best bang for the buck.

I think I know what you are saying, but let me try repeating it just to be sure.

For storage, just install an on/off switch and don't worry about the parasitic drains.

For a multi-day trip with possible back-to-back one nighters between full hook-ups, solar isn't worth the trouble, just let the TV charge the battery while in-route to the next destination.

Sound about right?

[f1100turbo]

sounds right to me !