Added 20w solar panel to keep batteries charged

[kb5zcr]

I welded up a mount and added a 20 watt solar panel to my jeep to keep the batteries topped off.

I've had it on a couple of months and it seems to be working great.

I welded some small C-clamps to it's support frame so I can remove it anytime I need to carry something big or long in the bed.

Its wired into the 7-pin plug extension that I added for the headache rack lights.

I put a voltage meter in the box and it almost always reads 12.7 at night when the sun isn't shining. The voltage reading doesn't show up well in photos but it reads 12.7 v.

The solar panel came from Amazon and has overcharging protection and won't drain voltage from the battery at night.

Im happy with it.

Sponsored

 

[WILDHOBO]

I welded up a mount and added a 20 watt solar panel to my jeep to keep the batteries topped off.

I've had it on a couple of months and it seems to be working great.

I welded some small C-clamps to it's support frame so I can remove it anytime I need to carry something big or long in the bed.

Its wired into the 7-pin plug extension that I added for the headache rack lights.

I put a voltage meter in the box and it almost always reads 12.7 at night when the sun isn't shining. The voltage reading doesn't show up well in photos but it reads 12.7 v.

The solar panel came from Amazon and has overcharging protection and won't drain voltage from the battery at night.

Im happy with it.

Simple and effective. I like the wrench handles.

 

[AstroZombie]

NICE!!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

@kb5zcr Do you have a link to this one on Amazon and am I reading right it has a charge controller with the kit?

 

[Mud Pie]

Nice !! I like the waterproof box for the connections. Like Bandit Lair, I assume you have a charge controller somewhere in line ? Sure, you can connect a panel directly to the battery, but it's better to go through a charge controller to monitor and protect things. Panels can go wonky.

 

[kb5zcr]

@kb5zcr Do you have a link to this one on Amazon and am I reading right it has a charge controller with the kit?

Here is a link for the solar panel I mounted. I had trouble finding it since I had put it on a wishlist so didn't buy it myself.

The controller is a small box that is mounted on the back of the panel.
Hope this helps. Its working great so far.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CH8Q52...0R58AUSNZ&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Sponsored