Solar Charger by Battery Tender- Anyone here use them?

[Dendy Jarrett]

Hey, Guys:
I have always heard nothing but good things about Battery Tender.
They have a solar charger now that has the same intelligent chip in it that keeps them from over charging.

Any reason why this wouldn't work for my trailer? If I have a dual battery set up- would I need two chargers?

They have three versions: 5w, 10w and 15 watt.

Looking for some sound advise, as I would like something that will power the National Luna, and a small selection of National Luna lights we have. We are using two AMG batteries in this trailer.

Thanks
Dendy

 

[UglyScout]

I don't have the stats in front of me but your fridge pulls 50+ watts by it self.... (I know it doesn't run 100% of the time, but it still runs more than a 15w panel will be able to charge during daylight hours)

So, you'd need a lot of those little charges to keep up. IF you only need the charger to 'maintain' the batteries when you aren't using them I'd go with the 15 watt model.

 

[Corey]

Dendy, when I did my research a few years ago, Martyn from Adventure Trailers told me to go with his 60 watt panel, as I use the rigs stock battery to power my ARB fridge.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ing-trips-installed-6-27-2009?highlight=solar

The 60 watt panel has worked out great.
Also it can put out enough juice to run a fridge on its own with no battery if you had it in sun most of the time.

 

[dzzz]

Battery tender solar is just a charge controller. All solar charge controllers provide the voltage limit function. Battery tender seems sized to keep unused batteries from discharge. As Uglyscout says you'll want more watts to actually run lights and appliances.
There's a couple recent threads on inexpensive solar and the power needed to run a frig. It's a bit tricky with a trailer to know how well the tow vehicle charges the house batteries. Whatever you buy I suggest sizing the charge controller and wire assuming you will add a another panel in the future.