Charging a power tank with solar power

[Wildwood]

Hi.

I have a Sky-Watcher 17Ah Power Tank which I currently charge from the mains.

I'm wondering whether it is possible to charge it using a solar trickle charger instead. Has / does anyone currently do this and if so, what do you use?

I see Maplins sell trickle chargers but these are terminating in either a male cigarette lighter adaptor or crocodile clips. Can I use either of these to charge the Power Tank or not? Do I need another piecce of kit to connect the two?

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone that currently uses a similar set up.

Many thanks.

[chiltonstar]

I'm charging a Halfords 17 AH jump car starter from a Maplin solar battery charger (1.5 W) - seems to work.

Chris

[Wildwood]

Thanks.

How do you connect the two?

May seem a silly question but the Power Tank manual only makes reference to charging using the socket at the rear of the unit.

I want to make sure that I can charge this without using this socket as the connection on the solar chargers is a different fitting.

[Peter_A]

I use a pair of Maplin 17Ah batteries which I charge using an intelligent charger. This doesn't overvolt the batteries, cuts out when the batteries are fully charged and charges again when the voltage has slowly dropped over weeks, i.e. the charger is left connected all the time. I guess it isn't using free sunshine but it is worth looking after batteries because they cost so much in the first place, even "cheap" Maplin ones. The intelligent charger was about £35.

[The Sailor]

Have my solar charger in an upstairs bedroom window, happily charges my power tank even on a cloudy day, unplug and use the tank at least once a month . Just an afterthought, I took the back off my power tank and installed it in a flight case with charging port and a number of outlet ports, photos in my Equipment link below.

Jim

[Wildwood]

Thanks for the info Peter.

I am however particularly interested in whether I can power the Power Tank (as I've already purchased it) using solar energy alone.

[Wildwood]

Have my solar charger in an upstairs bedroom window, happily charges my power tank even on a cloudy day, unplug and use the tank at least once a month .

Jim

How do you connect the two?

[The Sailor]

Wildwood, sorry I edited my reply as you asked the question, take a look at my Equipment link .

Jim

[Wildwood]

Very impressive set up you have there, but I'm still uncertain how I could connect a solar charger to the Power Tank without the skills that you clearly have.

Is there an easier way that I could connect the two?

[The Sailor]

Have sent you a message with some explanation, it will mean doing some cutting off of plugs and splicing, just make sure you continue the correct polarity. You can do all this without going to the lengths I have, just solar panel to power tank.

Jim

[Wildwood]

Thanks Jim. Much appreciated.

[The Sailor]

If you do a search on power tanks you should find a very good thread on the subject, can't remember but someone done a very good job with just the batteries in a case, far better than I could, I done mine on the cheap .

Jim

[BAZ Senior]

Keep your eye's open in Aldi, they sell the intelligent chargers for around £13, and look very similar to a C-Tek one, which retail around the £40 mark.

I know it's not solar, but well worth the money.