Links for simple self contained solar panels

[Telcobilly]

I want a cost effective solar panel to put on my dash. I would like to plug it into 12v receptacle to keep the truck battery topped off. It would need to have the regulator built in. I saw some at West Marine. I'm just wanting this to overcome the parasitic losses of the security system and plugged in electronics. The first two panels at WM look interesting at 1.8w and 5w. Would they work?

Thanks, Will

 

[peacetara]

I'm sure they will work, but the question is, will they do what you want them to do?<br><br>You need a solar panel that will output about 5x more than whatever your load is over a 24hr period (assuming a constant load), if you want to keep the battery essentially full.&nbsp; (you need at least 5x, because you can get about 6hrs of sun in a day, but from the dashboard probably even less than that).<br><br>Those small battery 'tenders' that are solar powered that plug into your cigarette lighter receptacle are small.&nbsp; maybe the large ones are 5 watts peak.<br><br>I have no idea what the load is for all of your stuff.&nbsp; They work, sure they work.&nbsp; Walmart even sells them.&nbsp; all of those small panels come with everything you need.&nbsp; Harbor Freight, Walmart and most auto parts stores probably sell them.<br><br>They are built to handle the very small loads of things like the security system built into your car, the clock, etc, they are not designed to handle powering things like laptops, etc.<br><br>If you want to power things like laptops, DVD players, etc, etc. Then you probably should look at more substantial solar panels, in the 100+ watt range, and mount them on your roof or something, and having an electrical system completely separate from your engine battery.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara