Solar battery charger harbor freight

saz468

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I was at harbor freight today and noticed the 1.5 watt solar battery charger
Has anyone used this ?
Is it a good idea?
Or it a waste of money
Any thoughts :)
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civicls

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For your car do you mean as a "trickle charge" or for another purpose?
 

MaxPower

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I'm guessing this is the charger you're referring to: https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-62449.html

I have no experience with this thing, but the reviews are generally pretty positive. I'm struggling to understand how it works, though. You can charge your car's battery through the cigarette lighter? Is that really a thing?
 
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saz468

saz468

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For your car do you mean as a "trickle charge" or for another purpose?
I’m assuming it’s a trickle charger for the car the solar panel sit on the dash and you plug it into the cigarette lighter
 
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saz468

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I'm guessing this is the charger you're referring to: https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-62449.html

I have no experience with this thing, but the reviews are generally pretty positive. I'm struggling to understand how it works, though. You can charge your car's battery through the cigarette lighter? Is that really a thing?
I’ve seen the reviews on it Yes they are positive
I was wondering if someone on this forum used one I’ve had very good advice on this forum
 


Jeffers

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I was at harbor freight today and noticed the 1.5 watt solar battery charger
Has anyone used this ?
Is it a good idea?
Or it a waste of money
Any thoughts :)
Won't work unless your cigarette lighter is always powered on, with the ignition off.
You'll need to hard wire it into your car. Having said that, they do work. And if your car sits for long periods of time they will help keep the battery charged.
 

TheDeadlyFlamingo

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If you're willing to spend a bit more money, I recommend the this Audew (not solar):

https://www.amazon.com/Audew-20000mAh-Starter-Battery-Charging/dp/B07GR17R3X

I watch this channel on Youtube called Project Farm and in one of his videos he pits against 8 or so mobile chargers against each other to see which one is better through the tests he does. You can watch it below if you're interested:

 
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saz468

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Won't work unless your cigarette lighter is always powered on, with the ignition off.
You'll need to hard wire it into your car. Having said that, they do work. And if your car sits for long periods of time they will help keep the battery charged.
True I forget about that so hardwire like a dashcam
 

sLing

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You need to buy a voltage regulator in addition to this solar panel otherwise it would overcharge your battery.
 

Hydrolic11

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You need to buy a voltage regulator in addition to this solar panel otherwise it would overcharge your battery.
Yeah, I would assume that's the case too? Would be great to use, to prolong having my dashcam staying on in parking mode... on sunny days :)
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