Solar trickle charger (it works)

[Steve Wolf]

I keep the engine battery on my motorhome charged using the device shown in the link. It is a solar trickle charger and has worked extremely well. I monitored the voltage closely, and it is working. My Maverick is in the garage on a plug-in trickle charger, so I don't normally need it. However, I have ordered and received another should the truck find itself alone, seemingly abandoned while outside and away from a plug.

http://www.wolfswords.com/motorhome...eBattery/MiniWinnieSolarForEngineBattery.html

OH! You must find an always-on 12-volt line to attach it to. The cigarette lighter outlet won't work.

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[Ozarkbeard]

I keep the engine battery on my motorhome charged using the device shown in the link. It is a solar trickle charger and has worked extremely well. I monitored the voltage closely, and it is working. My Maverick is in the garage on a plug-in trickle charger, so I don't normally need it. However, I have ordered and received another should the truck find itself alone, seemingly abandoned while outside and away from a plug.

http://www.wolfswords.com/motorhome...eBattery/MiniWinnieSolarForEngineBattery.html

OH! You must find an always-on 12-volt line to attach it to. The cigarette lighter outlet won't work.

Use alligator clamps and connect it to the Hybrid jump points in the engine compartment on the driver's side.

 

[bill67]

I keep the engine battery on my motorhome charged using the device shown in the link. It is a solar trickle charger and has worked extremely well. I monitored the voltage closely, and it is working. My Maverick is in the garage on a plug-in trickle charger, so I don't normally need it. However, I have ordered and received another should the truck find itself alone, seemingly abandoned while outside and away from a plug.

http://www.wolfswords.com/motorhome...eBattery/MiniWinnieSolarForEngineBattery.html

OH! You must find an always-on 12-volt line to attach it to. The cigarette lighter outlet won't work.

You can hook up the directly with the other line provided with solar charger. Use another nut on top of existing post.you can buy protective covers when not in use. Started this in Nov 2022.

 

[WolfWoosh]

@bill67 Is there a point behind the rear seat that a solar panel/charge controller/maintainer can be hooked into? I want to add a 50W solar panel to the forward top area of my tonneau cover to be used to maintain the battery. Just don't want to mess up the BMS. I'm sure the jump point under the hood has to route to the rear seat 12v battery with some large wire somewhere. I'm still looking wiring diagrams and such but haven't found much yet.

 

[bill67]

@bill67 Is there a point behind the rear seat that a solar panel/charge controller/maintainer can be hooked into? I want to add a 50W solar panel to the forward top area of my tonneau cover to be used to maintain the battery. Just don't want to mess up the BMS. I'm sure the jump point under the hood has to route to the rear seat 12v battery with some large wire somewhere. I'm still looking wiring diagrams and such but haven't found much yet.

What was told is not to use more than 2watt if you leave hooked for any long length time.The person who works my camper told me that. I use 1.8 watt hooked directly to battery. The only way to get to the battery is from tonneau cover would be through flap door and screen behind rear seat. It relieves pressure in cabin when closing doors.

 

[WolfWoosh]

What was told is not to use more than 2watt if you leave hooked for any long length time.The person who works my camper told me that. I use 1.8 watt hooked directly to battery. The only way to get to the battery is from tonneau cover would be through flap door and screen behind rear seat. It relieves pressure in cabin when closing doors.

I'll be putting a charge controller in between the solar panel and battery so it'll stop charging if the battery is full. Have a 50 watt that'll fit perfectly on the front part of the tonneau cover. Plus other panels I could add in (total of 380w on a 30 amp controller). I work remotely and camp a lot so it's nice to keep things charged and have an off grid setup. 12v cooler and such. Looking forward to some adventures in my new ride.

 

[inline_five]

I'll be putting a charge controller in between the solar panel and battery so it'll stop charging if the battery is full. Have a 50 watt that'll fit perfectly on the front part of the tonneau cover. Plus other panels I could add in (total of 380w on a 30 amp controller). I work remotely and camp a lot so it's nice to keep things charged and have an off grid setup. 12v cooler and such. Looking forward to some adventures in my new ride.

No matter the size the charge controller won't let it hurt the battery. I have a 35w panel in my airport car that sits for days in freezing temps, I've used these solar chargers for decades and they work well.

 

[computerpulse]

No matter the size the charge controller won't let it hurt the battery. I have a 35w panel in my airport car that sits for days in freezing temps, I've used these solar chargers for decades and they work well.

I want to do this on my 23 Maverick. Leave it connected at all times. From what I read, it won’t hurt the battery. Just install the solar panel and attach it to the points under the hood.. what is your thought on this?

 

[inline_five]

I want to do this on my 23 Maverick. Leave it connected at all times. From what I read, it won’t hurt the battery. Just install the solar panel and attach it to the points under the hood.. what is your thought on this?

Yes would do. They come with a BMS that won't charge over approx 13.5v.

Also I looked it up, it's a 20w panel.

https://www.amazon.com/POWISER-Waterproof-Maintainer-Automotive-Cigarette/dp/B08CHC1J78/

Just wire it to jump points under hood. Also fyi when they get hot the glue squeezes out from under the lamination so don't place it on your dash. I plan to place it with a mount in my bed.

 

[computerpulse]

Yes would do. They come with a BMS that won't charge over approx 13.5v.

Also I looked it up, it's a 20w panel.

https://www.amazon.com/POWISER-Waterproof-Maintainer-Automotive-Cigarette/dp/B08CHC1J78/

Just wire it to jump points under hood. Also fyi when they get hot the glue squeezes out from under the lamination so don't place it on your dash. I plan to place it with a mount in my bed.

I noticed they make a nice looking one that fits on the hood. I’m thinking that’s where I’m placing mine.

 

[Dave O]

I never owned a passenger vehicle that required a trickle charger so I could use it when I need to use it. Is this really where technology has taken us?

 

[oysterville]

I never owned a passenger vehicle that required a trickle charger so I could use it when I need to use it. Is this really where technology has taken us?

The Maverick does not, not even the hybrid. Some folks just really like interior lights to work, and not even increasing daylight hours will keep them from doing stuff like this

I regularly deal with it, and lack of remote features is a bummer but I don't see it to be the crisis that others believe it to be.

To each their own, even if it seems an overreaction to an inconvenience.

 

[inline_five]

I never owned a passenger vehicle that required a trickle charger so I could use it when I need to use it. Is this really where technology has taken us?

The Maverick does not, not even the hybrid. Some folks just really like interior lights to work, and not even increasing daylight hours will keep them from doing stuff like this

I regularly deal with it, and lack of remote features is a bummer but I don't see it to be the crisis that others believe it to be.

To each their own, even if it seems an overreaction to an inconvenience.

In my case, I park my vehicles for 3-5 days at a time sometimes in cold temps. When I get back, I want them to work.

Also, to give the battery the best lifespan as possible, keeping a FLA battery fully charged is the best way to do so. I have an $80 walmart special that is five years old and still going strong.

In addition, new modern vehicles deep cycle the batteries when parked running cooling motors, fans, etc. and this is bad for batteries in general.

So, you can either replace every few years or use some sort of method to keep the battery charged while the vehicle sits outside. It's dealers choice.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

What was told is not to use more than 2watt if you leave hooked for any long length time.The person who works my camper told me that. I use 1.8 watt hooked directly to battery. The only way to get to the battery is from tonneau cover would be through flap door and screen behind rear seat. It relieves pressure in cabin when closing doors.

I use noco 5 amp genius maintainer. When battery gets up to 80% or so it is smart. Reduces to float voltage and is soon to 2 volts and drops until at 100% it goes into standby and checks voltage every 24 hours and charges to 100% at that temperature, if needed. Can leave it on indefinitely. Most maintainers do that these days and will not over charge.

 

[The Real Maverick]

The only way to get to the battery is from tonneau cover would be through flap door and screen behind rear seat. It relieves pressure in cabin when closing doors.

There are additional means:

Center high mount brake lamp is one.

There are also premade holes from the hybrid battery box that go to the underside of the truck.

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