Schumacher SPC-7A Solar Charge Controller

I bicycle to and from work most days, but must have access to a vehicle should I need to go meet with customers across town, or to avoid the road dangers on my route from inclement weather. Accordingly, I park my 2000 Odyssey at work. Unfortunately, the battery will slowly discharge if the car is not driven, and on several occasions, I have needed a jump start.

I thought I was so smart when I bought a small, Shumacher solar panel to trickle charge my battery (via the 12V power outlet. However, I failed to do enough research. It turns out that at night, this particular solar panel would allow current from the battery to run in reverse, thereby draining the battery. Your voltage off the solar panel varies significantly, depending on the intensity of light to which it exposed. Apparently, the voltage from the solar panel can run from around 3V to around 19V or 21V. At the low end, you get reverse current through the solar panel if the car battery is charged reasonably well; at the high end, your voltatge across the battery is not all that healthy for recharging/trickle-charging the battery. (You want your charging source to be running at 13-14 Vdc.)

Bottom line if your solar panel does not have a voltage regulator/charge controller, you need one.

The Schumacher SPC-7A provides that capability at a reasonable price. It will handle up to 7 amperes coming off a solar array, and it will give you an indication of whether you are generating a charge, and it will warn you if you have a low voltage (below 12 V) coming off the solar panel. It has standard, 12V line plugs to connect to the solar panel output, to connect to your charging line for a 12V battery (either battery clamps or a 12Vdc power plug). there is a third ouput cable for an alternate load device.

I have found that the low voltage indicator (an LED) is useful for ensuring that the solar panel is positioned properly. I just orient the solar panel so that the low voltage light goes off, and then I know that I am getting a useful trickle charge.

My fault for chosing a trickle charger without a charge controller. But this modestly priced device got me back on track.

Check first and see if you really need this.... It works as it should, but if your just charging a battery and or just run a smaller sized pannel, this may not be needed. Again, if you have a battery bank and a larger power producing solar pannel(s) this Item is for you....

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We use this in conjunction with a solar panel to keep RV battery charged. It has worked very well for our needs.

Read Best Reviews of Schumacher SPC-7A Solar Charge Controller Here

I have it hooked up to a 20W panel for about 6 weeks now and no issues so far. I like that it has LED lights to inform you what is active. Each of the connections are labeled and use the quick connect plug. not much else to say since it is a simple device.

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Very easy to plug in and it works fine. Just what we needed. you will like this to yes yes yes

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