Solar charging through cigarette lighter?

O

Ozma

New member
I purchased a portable 50 watt solar panel to charge the batteries while anchored. Instead of using the supplied clamps to connect to the batteries, I would like to plug into the 12v lighter on the panel. Has anyone done this with success?

Dan Wilcox on board the 22' CD cruiser Ozma
 
It would be better closer to the battery's to minimize the voltage drop. 50 watts isn't all that much you will want it pointed directly at the sun not flat on the roof.
 
Yes, I've charged through the cigarette lighter. Not on my boat, but I have a Polaris Ranger that has a 2W solar panel because I often make short rides around my property and the battery doesn't get fully charged. It's just a trickle charger.

For a 50W panel, I'd wire direct to the battery through a solar charge controller. A $12 solar charge controller can make the charging so much more efficient that it doesn't make much sense to go just through a lighter socket except as a temporary solution.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAVVI8E/re ... 4689475003

Mark
 
Thank you all for your input. The panel does have a charge controller and it does make sense to go directly to the battery to minimize voltage drop.

Dan
 
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