Solar Panel Mod

Keeping your batteries topped off while boondocking can be a challenge. While we can always crank the generator for a quick charge, I often wondered how effective the small solar panel chargers would be. Thanks to a good friend, I no longer have to wonder.

While camping at Oceano Dunes last June, my friend pulled out a solar panel he had purchased from Harbor Freight and hooked it up to his batteries. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first as to the solar panels ability to keep his batteries topped off. Much to my surprise, the panel was able to keep his batteries charged even with moderate usage.

The next day, while discussing the solar panel over a cup of coffee, I told my friend that I was going to purchase a solar panel like his after we returned from our trip. He walked into his trailer and to my delight came out with another solar panel and handed it to me. Like a kid with a new Christmas present, I preceded to instal it on my trailer and monitor the charge.

After returning home, I made a couple of modification to make setting up the charge easier. I could have mounted the panel to the roof and wired the charger directly to the batteries, but I wanted the liberty to use the solar charger for multiple applications. I needed an easy way to connect and disconnect the charger to my batteries. I came up with the following mods:

I began by purchasing a two wire 12 volt connector from Napa. I drilled a hole through the battery box high enough so the lid would cover the hole when closed. I then ran the wire through the hole and attached the female side of the plug to the positive terminal (this helps to protect against shorts) and the male side to the ground. I left just enough slack in the wire to allow the connector to protrude from under the cover about an inch. When not in use, I can push the connector and wire up under the cover. I then soldered the other side of the 12 volt connector to a cigarette lighter. You need to remember that the positive side is the male side on this connector. On the cigarette lighter, the positive is the center and the negative is the barrel.

I can now connect my new plug to the battery without opening the cover. This also allows me to operate other 12 volt devices on the outside of my trailer. When I am ready to hook up the Solar Panel, I just place the panel on the roof, plug the solar panel into the adapter and then the adapter into the plug. Then I pray for sunshine!