I was at the local checkers auto store today looking for a solar battery charger. They were out, but the guy said that this charger http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=SHU&MfrPartNumber=MC1&CategoryCode=3014 was powered by the battery that it is charging. Is that possible? He said the closed round connectors (I can't think of their name) went on the post with the wing nuts and the alligator clips connect to the post. I don't know how that would/could work. Any one know?
Posted 2008-09-04 8:59 AM (#90948 - in reply to #90920) Subject: RE: battery chargers
Expert
Posts: 1877 Location: NY
I can not say if this will work or not but I do not see how it would were is the outside power coming from??? what is the battery get its charge from??? just my thinking on this
If this is the one he showed you, then...... It's just a regular 120 volt A/C powered 6 or 12 volt D/C output, 1 amp battery charger..... Nothing "SOLAR" about that charger, it's got to be plugged into a 110 A/C, "wall socket"!! How many time did the parts guy say, "DUH, AH it's sorta like a DUH!!"
Posted 2008-09-04 9:06 PM (#90987 - in reply to #90951) Subject: RE: battery chargers
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
He didn't say they were solar. He said that the battery had two sets of leads. One connected to the small posts with the wing nuts and the other had alligator clips that attatched to the posts. He said that the charger drew power from the "wing nut post" and "upped it" and charged the battery through the big posts. It didn't make any sense to me. Maybe he just thought I was a stupid female......
Posted 2008-09-05 9:19 AM (#91023 - in reply to #90920) Subject: RE: battery chargers
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Some batteries have two sets of terminals, one being the standard post type used in automotive applications, and the other a spade type allowing the usage of screws and wing nuts, commonly used in the RV and marine environments. They are mechanically connected together, and share the same polarities and voltages. They are just a different means, to universally attach the differently installed cables, without the necessity of stocking two different batteries.
Any charging method, whether it is solar, transformer, alternator, generator, inverter etc, will attach to the same terminals and charge the battery. The chargers add current to the battery, not take from it.
The solar panel creates electricity from the available light. It is a one way path from the panel to the battery. It doesn't use electricity and amplify it to work. Either the terms are being confused, or the sales person is not knowledgeable about what he is selling.
A small solar panel doesn't create enough amperage to run much more than a light bulb. It is considered a maintenance or trickle charger, recharging a small amount over a long period. When any current draw is effected within your trailer, the battery provides the amperage, with the solar panel recharging the battery as well as its capacity allows. Only panels almost the size of the roof of your trailer, in direct sunlight, could provide enough current to directly run an appliance.
Posted 2008-09-05 8:52 PM (#91053 - in reply to #90920) Subject: RE: battery chargers
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I went in LOOKING for a solar charger. I was looking for the battery maintainer that you set on your dash and plug into your ciggarette lighter. They were out of them so the guy showed me this one. I guess I'll call BS on the way he said worked. It didn't make sense to me that the battery could power the charger from one type of post while the charger charged the battery through the other type.
battery chargers
.jpg)
