As you may know, for a standard battery charger to work, it must be plugged into a power outlet. On the other hand, solar battery chargers only work if you have access to a clear view of the sky above. However, if it’s cloudy outside, you might be waiting up to 13 long hours for a full charge. This leads to our next point. Are you wondering if a solar battery charger can deliver enough power to charge a vehicle’s battery?

Do solar car battery chargers work?

The short answer is, yes, solar car battery chargers do work – but how effective are they? They are not nearly as powerful as regular car battery chargers. With this in mind, they probably won’t charge your battery as quickly as you’d like. Solar car chargers only put out a small amount of current, which is beneficial if you only need to top off your charge.

How do solar car battery chargers work?

According to Lifewire.com, “Solar battery chargers work by converting energy from the sun into electricity that can be stored in a battery. This is accomplished via a photovoltaic solar panel, which is the same basic technology used in residential and commercial settings to provide on-site power.”

Solar battery chargers are nothing like solar panels on a house, though. Although the technology and science behind it are the same, solar battery chargers can only put out about 500 to 1,500 mA – and that’s on the higher side.

One of the best ways to use this charger is to provide more amperage at the beginning and ramp it down as the battery gets close to a full charge. High-quality chargers can do this automatically, while other chargers come with manual controls. It just depends on the charger you have.

How much does a solar battery charger cost?

Generally, a solar battery charger will cost you about 50 dollars for a 10-amp model. Of course, if you think you’d need one with more amps, you’ll be paying more. If your main goal is to charge your battery for a quick drive, you’ll get your money’s worth with the 10-amp option.

Do solar car battery chargers charge dead car batteries?

Not many people know this, but a solar car battery charger will not be able to charge a fully dead car battery. They are not meant to do this. Solar car battery chargers are trickle chargers, meaning they charge at the self-discharge rate.

Lead Acid Battery – These flooded batteries were the industry standard for many years, and recent improvements have made them last longer. They are the least expensive batteries on the market, but will only survive a few years of regular use. These batteries require some maintenance, should not be housed inside your living space due to potential off-gassing, and fluid levels should be checked regularly.

AGM Battery – Absorbent Glass Mat is a type of sealed lead acid battery which uses a fiberglass mat between the battery plates. This allows the electrolyte solution to exist in a “dry” or suspended state, rather than in a free, liquid form. AGM does not require any additional fluid, off-gasses minimally, and is maintenance free. With a wider temperature range, they can be a popular choice for folks in colder climates.