Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to charge your car battery, but there is no outlet around? Solar car battery chargers are an excellent solution to avert a situation like this. You can use these chargers to power your car anywhere in the world. As long as you have sunlight available, it shouldn’t be a problem at all!
However, you do not want to mess with subpar products when it comes to your car. Choosing a high-quality solar charger becomes very difficult with various varieties available online.
This review has narrowed down the 7 best solar car battery chargers. Moreover, the buying guide for this product consists of every minute detail you need to know about!
Read on for our expert reviews of the best solar car chargers available. Check the latest prices to ensure you get a great deal!
Contents
- 1 Our Top Picks
- 2 7 Best Solar Car Battery Chargers
- 2.1 1. TP-solar 20 Watt 12 Volt Solar Trickle Charger
- 2.2 2. POWOXO Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger
- 2.3 3. AA 12 Volt Solar Battery Trickle Charger
- 2.4 4. AA Car Battery Solar Charger
- 2.5 5. ECO-WORTHY L02EP10BB18V-1 12 Volts 10 Watts Solar Panel Battery Charger
- 2.6 6. DAIDA Solar Panel Kit 20 Watt 12V Waterproof Solar Battery Charger
- 2.7 7. Sky-solar Solar Battery Charger
- 3 Solar Car Battery Charger Buying Guide
- 4 Case Study: Implementing Solar Car Battery Chargers for Residential Use
- 5 Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers About Solar Car Battery Chargers
Our Top Picks
Image | Name | |
---|---|---|
TP-solar 20 Watt 12 Volt Solar Trickle Charger | ||
POWOXO Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger | ||
AA 12 Volt Solar Battery Trickle Charger | ||
AA Car Battery Solar Charger | ||
ECO-WORTHY L02EP10BB18V-1 12 Volts 10 Watts Solar Panel Battery Charger | ||
DAIDA Solar Panel Kit 20 Watt 12V Waterproof Solar Battery Charger | ||
Sky-solar Solar Battery Charger |
7 Best Solar Car Battery Chargers
1. TP-solar 20 Watt 12 Volt Solar Trickle Charger
If you search for the perfect travel companion, this solar charger is worth investing your money in. It has everything you are looking for and more, and it comes at an affordable rate. One of the best features of this solar car battery charger is its versatility, among many others.
Features
Easy to carry around
This tiny solar car battery charger is perfect for travelling. It weighs 2.09 lbs and is no bigger than 14.1×13.1 inches in size. You can simply put it in your car and carry it around with you anywhere you go. Not only is it great for vehicles, but it also works well with RVs.
Great battery backup
It can help keep your car’s battery charged on long trips easily. It is highly versatile, so it goes well with Wet, Gel, SLA, AGM, and Deep Cycle batteries. It comes with high-quality solar panels, so you can trust this device to have your back when driving in the middle of nowhere and needing assistance.
It comes with a circuit shut off
This solar charger also has a circuit shut off. This way, when the charger’s voltage is low at night, your car battery does not discharge, and there isn’t a backflow of electricity. You can use it at night to keep your car or RV battery charged too.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Suction bulbs for easy attachment
- Circuit shut up
Cons:
- Battery discharges quickly over time
2. POWOXO Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger
Solar car battery chargers that do not drain your battery over long periods are hard to find; however, this is our top pick in this department. You can take this along with you on road trips and use it to recharge your car battery, and it will not drain it.
Features
Great for the outdoors
This solar car battery charger is waterproof, dustproof, and UV resistant. You can use it outdoors in any terrain, and it will not succumb to natural forces. This makes it the perfect travel companion for your endeavours.
Great battery output
Its quick one-way connector makes it the right choice for every household. If you have vehicles you barely use, or if they have a dead battery, you can use this charger and its 12 V output.
It does not need any maintenance
It is straightforward to use and has a sturdy body. You can use this for years without worrying about it breaking down. Additionally, the only maintenance you need to do is clean the surface of the solar panel regularly so that it can absorb sunlight.
Pros:
- Thin film technology
- Prevents back current
- Amorphous solar panel
- Versatile
Cons:
- Set up can be overwhelming
3. AA 12 Volt Solar Battery Trickle Charger
If you search for something affordable you can use daily, this product is right up your alley. This small device is perfect for emergencies and can be used by anyone on the road. You get decent features for the price you pay, and it saves you a trip to the mechanic.
Features
Lightweight and portable
One of the best features of this product is its high functionality, given its price and size. It is portable and easy to use in most situations of dire need. This product weighs only 2.2 kg, and it is 44 x 34.5 x 6.2 cm in size. Its dimensions make it the perfect companion for long road trips.
Maintains good battery life
While this product cannot revive a dead battery, it can certainly keep one alive for longer. If you are struggling with your battery and its overall performance and are worried it might give way, this charger can keep it alive. It maintains battery health with a 12 V supply of electricity.
Comes with connector
The solar car battery charger comes with connectors that directly attach to the car battery. It is elementary to figure out, and you can use it in your car even if you have no prior experience with car battery chargers.
Pros:
- Portable
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not waterproof
4. AA Car Battery Solar Charger
This solar car battery charger is the most accessible tool you can use to keep your car battery alive for longer. It may look small, but it can hold a beat down car battery alive for longer. If you are going on a road trip, you must keep it handy and cannot trust your car battery!
Features
Lightweight
This product is lightweight and very easy to install in your car. It comes with an instruction manual with detailed yet precise information to help you get started. If you have no prior experience using car battery chargers, you should go through the manual once before getting started.
Connects directly to EOBD socket
It comes with connectors that can be directly attached to the EOBD plug socket. You can connect it once and then let the solar panel continuously supply electricity to your battery. This way, you can travel without any concerns or restrictions.
Discharge protection
It comes with a circuit attached to it, which prevents energy backflow. This way, when the solar car battery charger voltage is low, it does not take in electricity from your car battery. This is a widespread phenomenon in most lead-acid batteries.
LED lights for better understanding
The solar car battery charger also comes with LED lights for indication. You can look at these lights to tell if the solar charger is supplying electricity to your battery and whether it is discharged or not. The easy comprehension makes it an excellent choice for anyone on the road.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Cons:
- The solar panel can degrade after exposure to dust and water
5. ECO-WORTHY L02EP10BB18V-1 12 Volts 10 Watts Solar Panel Battery Charger
When you are on the road, you need something reliable you can trust. If you know your car battery will give you trouble, you need to make sure you take the proper steps to avert any possible disaster. This product is precisely what you need in such situations.
Features
It comes as a complete package
This solar car battery charger comes with everything you need to get started. The package includes one 12V 10W solar charger with a 57-inch cord, an alligator clip adapter that has a 22.8-inch cord, one cigarette lighter adapter that is a 22.8-inch cable, and four PVC Suckers.
It has a powerful battery
If you want to elongate the lifespan of your car battery, then you cannot leave it discharged. This charger supplies your battery with 10 W 12 V of electricity to keep it alive. You do not need to supervise the charging process because the battery charger is safe to use and will not harm your car.
Perfect for the outdoors
People who are on the road a lot barely have time to worry about how they will look after fragile tools. However, this solar car battery charger is as sturdy as they come. It is dustproof, waterproof, and does not affect the sun. So, you can use it anywhere you like in any weather conditions.
Pros:
- Prevents battery discharge
- Has two connection modes
- Perfect for a wide range of batteries
Cons:
- Product is expensive
6. DAIDA Solar Panel Kit 20 Watt 12V Waterproof Solar Battery Charger
If you do not have any expectations from a small solar car battery charger, this product is here to help break this stereotype for you. Though small in size and inconspicuous, it can keep cars and RVs, motorcycles, and even lawnmowers charged when they are not in use.
Features
Outdoor friendly
Make this your permanent travel buddy. This item is dust and waterproof and can withstand severe weather conditions easily.
Versatile
While you may buy it to use it in your car, this product can be used in RVs, boats, motorcycles, etc. This battery charger can fire up any dead battery with minimum effort in absolutely no time.
Safe to use
If you are not very sure about how battery chargers work, refer to the manual provided. However, this product is very straightforward, and you will have no trouble understanding it once you take a look at it.
Pros:
- High-quality solar panel
- 10 W 12 V battery output
- Can withstand wind, water, and snow
- Works on cloudy days
Cons:
- Can drain your battery if used incorrectly
7. Sky-solar Solar Battery Charger
This highly efficient solar car battery charger is one that you can use in countless situations. It is compelling and is one of the highest-rated products available online. With its solar efficiency as high as 22.5%, you do not want to miss out on this.
Features
Durable
This solar car battery charger is exceptionally durable and does not degrade when it comes in contact with water, dust, or snow. It is also built from solid and durable materials that last you years.
Efficient
This solar car charger is exceptionally efficient and has a solar efficiency of 22.5%. Additionally, the battery output of this device is also remarkable at 18W 12V 18V.
Flexible
One of the most striking features of this product is the flexible solar panel. It can be manipulated and fixed in uneven spaces too. This maximises its exposure to the sunlight.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- High-quality solar panel
- Great battery output
- Highly efficient
Cons:
- Can discharge car battery
Solar Car Battery Charger Buying Guide
What is the best way of knowing which product is worth buying and which one is a complete waste of your money? Well, you might have to do a little homework on the product itself. This buying guide will tell you all about solar car battery chargers so that you can tell a good product from a terrible one.
Key Takeaways
- Solar car battery chargers are portable devices that can recharge your car’s battery using solar energy, making them suitable for remote locations and road trips.
- These chargers use photovoltaic solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, offering a reliable and eco-friendly solution for powering your car battery.
- The benefits of solar car battery chargers include reliability in emergencies, ease of use, quiet operation, environmental friendliness, and the ability to prolong and protect your car’s battery life.
What are Car Battery Chargers?
A solar car battery charger is a tool that you can use remotely to recharge your car’s battery. If you find yourself in a situation where you do not have access to a power switch or a traditional battery charger, you can use this product.
Solar car battery chargers are small and inconspicuous. You can carry them around with you on road trips, camping, etc. Unlike most traditional car battery chargers, this does not require an electrical connection to jumpstart a dead battery.
If your battery is low on power, you can connect this charger to the battery and place the solar panel in the sun. The panel will use solar energy and convert it to electricity to power your car battery.
This works for most vehicles and batteries. Even if you think your car battery requires a lot more power than the solar car battery charger can provide, you can always use this as a temporary fix.
This works well for people on the road who cannot find a garage nearby and quickly need to recharge their car battery. Once charged, you can reach a garage safely and conduct a thorough check of your car.
How do Solar Car Battery Chargers work?
If you know anything about solar panels or have owned them before, you are probably aware of how they work. Solar panels have a very straightforward mechanism. They use the energy provided by the sun to power appliances in our homes and otherwise.
Solar car battery chargers are not very different from regular solar chargers. The only difference between the two is their source of energy. While traditional chargers need a powerline or an outlet connection, solar chargers use sunlight.
These chargers come with photovoltaic solar panels. These panels absorb the light from the sun and then convert this energy into electricity to power your battery. The solar panels supply a DC to your battery. When not wholly used, this DC is stored in the battery for later.
Solar car battery chargers are not as powerful as commercial battery chargers. Most can only generate about 1500 mAh of electricity. While this is not enough, in the long run, you can still use these battery chargers on the road to jumpstart your car in case of a dead battery.
What Are the Benefits of Solar Car Battery Chargers?
Using solar energy is one of the best ways to save some money and do your bit for the environment. While solar panel installations for your home are a great place to start, you can also benefit from smaller appliances like solar car battery chargers. Here are a few excellent ways you can benefit from them.
They are Reliable
If you ever find yourself stuck in a pickle where you cannot find a power outlet to recharge your car battery, you can trust your solar companion. This tool is very beneficial to people who are usually on the road and require mechanical assistance.
The solar car battery charger will help you power your car battery if you have trouble on the road. You no longer need to look for garages en route or worry about your car breaking down.
They are Safe to Use
People who do not have any experience using battery chargers find it difficult to work their way around them. However, solar chargers are easy to use, and it will take you less than 15 minutes to figure them out.
This ease makes it a perfect tool to have in the boot of your car, no matter who you are. It’s convenient to set up and charge your car battery anywhere on the road too.
They are Quiet
Solar chargers do not make any unnecessary noise. Most repair equipment is chunky and noisy, which can be a hassle. However, this is not the case with solar car battery chargers.
They do not disrupt your peace in any way and make absolutely no sound. If you are worried about being loud on a deserted road, this tool is a perfect choice. You will not attract unwanted attention when you are stranded on the road.
You Use Clean Energy
Today one of the biggest priorities we all have is reducing our carbon footprints. The amount we consume cannot surpass the amount of energy we generate. An excellent way to do your bit for the planet is by adopting solar energy.
You can start by using solar-powered appliances like solar car battery chargers and then move on to more extensive investments. The more you invest in solar energy, the more significant the impact on battling climate change.
They Elongate Battery Life
Solar car battery chargers are safe for your car batteries too. Car batteries are very fragile if they are not handled with care. Using solar-powered tools can help you elongate their life. This is because solar chargers are not reckless with their energy supply like traditional battery chargers.
A solar car battery charger uses DC, suitable for your car battery. It makes your car battery run smoothly since it provides the perfect electricity. This way, you will never face any trouble with your battery while charging it with a solar car battery charger.
They Prevent Any Electrical Damage to Car Batteries
When a lot of electricity is supplied to your battery in a short period, the chances of it breaking down significantly increase. This is because lead-acid batteries need a continuous supply of electricity in the right amount.
Traditional battery chargers that require power lines are generally unable to do this for you. Additionally, you could end up spending a lot more fixing your car battery if something goes wrong.
They are Cost-Effective
If you are using your own solar car battery charger, you are essentially not spending any money charging your battery. Your charger will use sunlight as its primary energy source, free of cost.
Unlike most other car battery chargers, there is no electricity use, so you do not need to worry about racking up your electricity bill either. Additionally, this will also save you a trip to the garage!
Case Study: Implementing Solar Car Battery Chargers for Residential Use
Background
At Solar Panels Network, we understand that homeowners are increasingly looking for sustainable solutions to power their everyday lives. A recent project involved a family living in a semi-rural area who sought a reliable and eco-friendly method to keep their car battery charged, especially during unpredictable weather conditions and potential power outages.
Project Overview
The primary goal was to provide the family with a solar car battery charger that would ensure their vehicle remained operational at all times, regardless of access to the electrical grid. The solution needed to be cost-effective, easy to use, and capable of maintaining the car battery’s health over the long term. We recommended a high-quality solar car battery charger with sufficient capacity to meet the family’s needs.
Implementation
- Needs Assessment and Selection: We began by assessing the family’s vehicle specifications and typical usage patterns. Based on this information, we selected a solar car battery charger with a suitable output and battery capacity, ensuring it could handle the car’s power requirements even on overcast days.
- Installation and Setup: Our team installed the solar panel in an optimal location on the family’s property, ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day. The charger was connected to the vehicle’s battery, with an easy-to-understand setup guide provided to the family for future use.
- Training and Support: We offered training sessions to the family, explaining how to monitor the battery’s charge levels, maintain the solar panel, and handle any potential issues. We also provided a support line for any queries or assistance needed post-installation.
Results
- Reliable Power Source: The solar car battery charger provided a dependable power source, ensuring the family’s vehicle was always ready for use. This reliability was particularly beneficial during unexpected power outages and severe weather conditions.
- Cost Savings: By utilising solar energy, the family significantly reduced their electricity costs associated with traditional battery charging methods. The solar charger also decreased the frequency of visits to service centres for battery maintenance.
- Environmental Benefits: The use of a solar car battery charger aligned with the family’s environmental goals. It reduced their carbon footprint by utilising renewable energy, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle.
- Enhanced Battery Life: The steady, controlled charge from the solar charger helped maintain the car battery’s health, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements. This not only saved costs but also minimised waste.
Summary
This case study highlights the practical benefits of using solar car battery chargers in residential settings. For the family involved, the solar charger provided an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and reliable solution for maintaining their vehicle’s battery. The project demonstrates how homeowners can harness solar energy to achieve greater energy independence, reduce costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability. At Solar Panels Network, we are committed to offering tailored solar solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients, promoting a sustainable and energy-efficient future.
Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers About Solar Car Battery Chargers
Solar car battery chargers are a practical addition to any vehicle, especially for those frequently travelling in remote areas. The ability to harness sunlight for charging not only reduces dependency on traditional power sources but also offers a reliable backup in emergencies.
Lead Solar Technician
One of the key benefits of solar car battery chargers is their minimal environmental impact. By utilising clean, renewable energy, these chargers help reduce carbon footprints and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
Renewable Energy Specialist
Investing in a solar car battery charger is not just about convenience; it’s about protecting your car’s battery health. The controlled and steady supply of energy from these chargers can extend the battery’s lifespan and prevent potential electrical damage.
Senior Solar Engineer
Our Expertise in Solar Products
At Solar Panels Network, our pride lies in the extensive expertise of our seasoned professionals and renewable energy experts. With the rising demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions, we are dedicated to guiding you through the options to harness solar power for your car’s battery. By merging our vast knowledge with practical, real-world testing, we deliver trustworthy reviews.
Why Trust Our Reviews?
- Industry Expertise: Our experts have a deep-seated understanding of the solar industry, including solar car battery chargers. We stay updated with technological advancements to ensure our reviews reflect the cutting-edge options.
- Hands-On Testing: True to our commitment to authenticity, each car battery charger on our list has been tested for performance and durability. We’ve assessed these chargers in various settings to simulate their performance in your car, ensuring you receive reliable recommendations.
- Transparency: We approach our reviews with a clear and open methodology. Every recommendation is presented with an honest assessment of its features and functionality. We aim to provide you with all the necessary information, free from any external influence so that you can make the best choice.
- Experience: Our team’s collective experience is invaluable in discerning the quality of solar car battery chargers. We’ve seen trends come and go and understand what features offer genuine long-term value. This experience is integral to our review process, providing you with recommendations that are not just based on technical specifications but also real usability and satisfaction.
As we look towards a more sustainable future, we are dedicated to helping you find the best solar car battery chargers for 2024. Our selection is designed to offer you a combination of innovation, reliability, and efficiency, perfect for keeping your car powered with solar energy. With our expert advice, you can charge your car’s battery with confidence, harnessing the power of the sun to drive towards a greener tomorrow.
To Conclude With
Solar car battery chargers are your best bet at saving time and money while on the road. They are also very versatile, so you can use them for a wide range of purposes if you keep them handy.
With one of these in your car, you will never have to worry about a run-down battery on the side of the road. You will also not have to think about how you will find automobile assistance in the middle of nowhere.
Make sure you go through the buying guide to understand better how they work. You can also pick one option from our top picks if you don’t want to scour the internet and save some time!
About the Author
Solar Panels Network stands at the forefront of solar energy solutions, driven by a team of seasoned solar engineers and energy consultants. With over decades of experience in delivering high-quality solar installations and maintenance, we are committed to promoting sustainable energy through customer-centric, tailored solutions. Our articles reflect this commitment, crafted collaboratively by experts to provide accurate, up-to-date insights into solar technology, ensuring our readers are well-informed and empowered in their solar energy decisions.