solar battery tenders...

so I often don't drive my tacoma for multiple weeks in a row, as its basically a utility/vacation vehicle. when I go to start it today, sigh, weak battery, barely turns over, doesn't catch and start. so I stuck it back on my charger, and I'm sure it will be fine tomorrow, except I wanted to use it today. this is the 2nd or third time this has happened.

thinking I should get one of those 10 watt solar panels that plugs into the cigar lighter, as a battery tender/keeper. BUT... I'm pretty sure the cigar lighter is on switched power and goes off with the key, so that wouldn't work very well. what do you all do, wire a SAE connector under the dash or something for this?

 

I wired up an always on power port direct to battery and hid the port in the cup holders in the back of the center console. I added this when I wired up a ham radio and figured I'd make two runs of 8 gauge wire while I had it all apart. I fused it at 10 amps, 8 gauge wire can handle a lot more, but don't need it now.

I've used it several times already to charge a cell phone and an iPad while the truck was not running.

In my old truck I used two of those solar units plugged into two of the power ports (on Chevies, they are always "hot"). I always had a charged battery. I put the panels between the windshield and sunshades. This truck sat unused sometimes for months at a time.

I drive the Tacoma at least once a week and haven't had the need.

 

@Mademan925 don't you have a solar tender on your trailer?

 

I have 100 watt solar panel on my truck and a 100 watt for my trailer. Each have charge controllers.

 

How is that panel wired into the vehicle?

 

Wire does down the edge of the windshield into the engine bay to the charge controller then to the battery.

 

Made,

I remember you posted a list of parts needed for this on someone's build thread. I tried looking for it the other day, couldn't find it.

 

Noob fuck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-with-a-lot-of-bs.460158/page-4#post-13671057

 

Found it

 

#rekt

 

That was for a trailer. For a truck you just need the panel and the charge controller and some wire.

 

I know who you are.

 

so I ordered a 10 watt panel w/ integrated charge controller.

Battery Tender 021-1164 10W Solar Panel Charger and Maintainer with Built-in 3-step Automatic Microprocessor Controller, 540mA, Black, Green

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q86JJ8/

I think I'll put ring terminals right on the battery, hard wired with a pigtail and secure a SAE connector right at the base of the windshield on the extreme left edge... that way I can plug the panel into this SAE without having to pop the hood.

I'll probably stick silicone rubber feet under the solar panel, and set it on the windshield or roof.

 

i know someone who did a real clean install for this. .