Questions and Answers

Solar Battery Chargers Q. I was wondering if perhaps you could give me some insight on solar powered battery chargers for cars? Do you know how safe they are? Safe as in they won't mess up my battery? Do you know how effective they are? Are they worth it buying?

The reason I ask this is because I usually use up a lot of my battery and have even started considering getting a DC power inverter so that I can connect small appliances to my battery i.e. a small vacuum cleaner. But I'm concerned that using an inverter will kill my battery. The solar powered chargers and inverters that I've been looking at are on the Radio Shack web site and ICP Global Technologies makes the solar powered chargers they sell. Any possible advice you could give me would be highly appreciated, even if you have to tell me to get a life, I'll still thank you.

A. I looked at the ICP web site and I saw that all there solar chargers do have over-charging protection and as long as they do, you will not have a problem with hurting your battery.

Working near a major interstate I have many motor homes come in and I have seen them equipped with solar chargers. The people who use them swear by them and I haven't heard a bad thing about them.

I don't know if it will charge the battery faster than your vacuum will drain it, but it's certainly better than running the car while you use it. I would look for one with as high an amperage rating as I could if you plan to only use it when you are using your appliances and make sure it does have the charge controller.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA