12v Solar Charging

[captmoto]

I'd like to install a solar charger on a 6 horse trailer. No living quarters, just want to maintain the battery for lifting and lights when loading. I know it charges when connected and towed so I would think all it needs is a trickle/maintainer. No electric near it's storage so I can't just plug anything in. I know nothing about them so simple explanations work best. A vendor recommendation would be good too. I'm handy enough, just need to know how to get started.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[JunkBonds]

Do you intend on using a solar panel or one of those cheap solar chargers?

if using a solar panel you will need a solar controller to take the voltage from the solar down to a voltage appropriate for your battery. i.e 13 volts or so. For the cheap one just plug it in.

 

[WisJim]

What kind and size of battery are details you need to get started. Larger amp-hour battery may need a bigger panel, but that also depends on the solar exposure of the panel, and that depends on where it's mounted and where the trailer is parked (shade and solar orientation).
My personal preference would be a decent sized panel, probably considerably over-sized for the minimum requirements, and a charge controller to make sure it doesn't overcharge, rather than some cheap all-in-one solution. But I have lots of panels sitting around and have been messing with solar electric for over 40 years.

 

[MongoTA]

I'd like to install a solar charger...just want to maintain the battery for lifting and lights when loading. I know it charges when connected and towed so I would think all it needs is a trickle/maintainer. No electric near it's storage so I can't just plug anything in. I know nothing about them so simple explanations work best. A vendor recommendation would be good too. I'm handy enough, just need to know how to get started.
Thanks,
Steve

Do a search for "solar 12v battery charger", I have one similar to this one that I picked up several years ago. Mine looks slightly different due to age. I've used it on my tractor and my wife's car (seldom gets driven). I picked one up during COVID after my car battery died due to parasitic draw. Battery was old so it wouldn't take/hold a proper charge even trying a few recharge/renewal methods. Pricey replacement battery was ~$200 for that car.

 

[Jerry1985]

A simple 10-20 watt panel with a built-in charge controller from Renogy or Victron would be perfect for just maintaining the battery - dead simple to wire up and no need to overthink it.

 

[captmoto]

Thanks guys, on to YouTube and Google.

 

[jhelrey]

Watch Project Farm. He did a review on them recently.

 

[UserNameAttempt3]

Honestly, I used a harbor freight 100w solar kit for years on our camper when boondocking in the woods. We didn't use a whole of the trailers features, but definitely kept the battery towed off pretty well for lights and water pump usage and pulling the slide in and out. Just gotta clean the panels every few weeks so they stay in top performance.

 

[Mikes61]

Another vote for the Harbor Freight Solar panels. They have several different sizes, from the small maintainer size to the 100 watt recharge daily size.

 

[The Metric System]

I've used this one for more than a year, both to keep motorcycles in the shed topped off and to run the shed work lighting.

Amazon.com

It works great, no complaints.

 

[BobnCO]

Focus on RV guys, this is way simple a huge percentage of RVs add a simple system, I did our hybrid bumper tow 10+ years ago. Bought 1 panel and the controller from the same company; it kept our 2 inexpensive Walmart deep cycles charged great while stored and extended remote camping days (only lighting, water pump, and occasional radio). Cheap and easy these days, you will have more fretting over how to mount the panel than what to buy or how to hook up the two wires!