Crazy Idea to Trickle Charge? (Apartment Life)

[ShadowsPapa]

Does this look like what you’re talking about? It looks like it has a cigarette light ‘input’ direct to the trailer connector..

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Motorcycle-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket/dp/B0DPC6JK9K/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1ZOMP8FIUTOO3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dJ1gOU_C7vqG_1n3yU3WxXMUcWCoIXMeMhQr92fRe3O96W_KOcFRLDiXQLqJtCrRcmkD0Zzhv4KyJrYEFLI5dub4cn_b7_hvtIA4WgMFXr1hrIw2BRTKSll83y_HfwPOhTf_v4G188Y2pBmWZ2Ecm5jrOJEWM7ku4FHU0B2TMgIzKTqnQvLrrmGnrnK-r2MhG1pl_-MuzcYsukLyQnqOUQ.qvPwYw5-luwjNRJ7aTDOGFZN7N5mmBNa4fG2LDOj22M&dib_tag=se&keywords=7+pin+trailer+connector+to+12volt+output&qid=1746128002&sprefix=7+pin+trailer+connector+to+12volt+output,aps,238&sr=8-3

That will work - it's even fused.

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[bill61]

@ShadowsPapa
So, here are my thoughts..
Connect this 20 watt solar panel to the end of that cable and set the solar panel in my dash as I am like the OP in that I have no power out at my parking spot.
Is there anything I am missing (safety wise or other)? I am fairly electrically literate but have never connected a solar panel as a trickle charger.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ACOPowe...est-Fridge-Freezer-Cooler-HY020-12M/316771824

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The specs I see on that page suggest the output is 12 volts. That won't be enough to keep batteries up where they belong.
The voltage of a fully charged AGM battery is 12.8 (give or take, depending on the battery itself)
So you'd need at least that much to keep it at that level, more to actually bring it up if it's low.

 

[bill61]

I want to maintain my OEM batteries, so is 18 volts too much? The one I am looking at has an output of 15 watts which seems low to me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Seems to me you'd be better off with some sort of a "charge controller" made for solar panels.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GX19KT...apan_dp_QHMZFGZGEWX1B9WHSC5A&starsLeft=1&th=1

 

[MattK]

Good news! I found a socket nearby my parking spot and asked permission to use it overnight on occasion.

Is this the correct nut to attach negative to from the NOCO 10 to charge both batteries in parallel? The one right above the IBS. This is a 2020.

 

[SamJ3]

Seems to me you'd be better off with some sort of a "charge controller" made for solar panels.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GX19KT...apan_dp_QHMZFGZGEWX1B9WHSC5A&starsLeft=1&th=1

I actually have that exact panel and charge controller. It did indeed recharge a 'dead' (8v) battery to 12+V for me. The controller is a MPPT type, which is the 'better' option, but it does not have any specific settings for AGM, standard lead-acid, lithium, etc.

Regarding that specific product, be warned that the polarity of the connectors are inverted compared to convention. That is, the exposed pin relative to your battery on the SAE connector is positive (+), not negative (-). That becomes a risk because you could easily touch ground to an open hot wire. I ended up reversing the connections where I plug it to avoid this hazard.

 

[bill61]

Good information!!

 

[MattK]

Good news! I found a socket nearby my parking spot and asked permission to use it overnight on occasion.

Is this the correct nut to attach negative to from the NOCO 10 to charge both batteries in parallel? The one right above the IBS. This is a 2020.

Hey @Mr._Bill or @ShadowsPapa - you two were great help on my replacement thread. I was hoping you could look at this picture and see if I'm using the correct negative bolt/stud to maintain the batteries while fully connected in place. Thanks!

 

[Mr._Bill]

Good news! I found a socket nearby my parking spot and asked permission to use it overnight on occasion.

Is this the correct nut to attach negative to from the NOCO 10 to charge both batteries in parallel? The one right above the IBS. This is a 2020.

Yes, that's a good spot for the negative connection.

 

[Einsteiger]

GLAD you found a source for occasional AC power for a charger. The solar panel ideas are all good, but since you live in an apartment, there is always the specter of theft and vandalism.

 

[MrBones]

Reviving this thread. I just picked up a 10 W solar trickle charger from Harbor Freight for my wife's Compass. The charge controller looks to be similar to the one pictured in one of the links above (Blue, Red and Green lights). She drives it once a week for about five miles. The charge voltage never dips below 14.5 V. Got 20% off with ITC membership. Hope it works as good as some of the others out there,

 

[ShadowsPapa]

She drives it once a week for about five miles

That's really hard on batteries. Ouch.
And really - it's hard as heck on the engine, too. It needs to be taken out once a week and driven enough to get it fully hot and run that way for several minutes. The engine won't do well otherwise, and oil changes will be needed more frequently.

 

[MrBones]

That's really hard on batteries. Ouch.
And really - it's hard as heck on the engine, too. It needs to be taken out once a week and driven enough to get it fully hot and run that way for several minutes. The engine won't do well otherwise, and oil changes will be needed more frequently.

Yeah. I'll have to get it out a few times per week

 

[MattK]

Reviving this thread. I just picked up a 10 W solar trickle charger from Harbor Freight for my wife's Compass. The charge controller looks to be similar to the one pictured in one of the links above (Blue, Red and Green lights). She drives it once a week for about five miles. The charge voltage never dips below 14.5 V. Got 20% off with ITC membership. Hope it works as good as some of the others out there,

Thanks for chiming in. Let us know how it goes. I haven't had to use mine yet since I am able to get at a plug with an extension cord as needed in my apartment complex.

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