🚀 go-pugleaf

ramesh@world.std.com (ramesh m chandak) writes:

>While I am at it, let me mention the following :
>
>THE SOLAR CHARGER WILL CHARGE YOUR CAR BATTERY AGAINST NATURAL DISCHARGE
>ONLY.  A COMPLETELY USELESS, DEAD BATTERY WHICH CANNOT BE CHARGED BY
>ANY TRADITIONAL MEANS WILL ALSO *** NOT BE CHARGED *** AND I REPEAT
>*** NOT BE CHARGED *** BY THIS SOLAR CHARGER. 

To be more accurate, this is a solar trickle charger.  Given enough
sunny days, it will likely keep an already-charged battery at full
charge indefinitely without help from the alternator.  It's probably
a good idea for a boat or car that is only started once a week or
once a month.

On the other hand, suppose you have a perfectly good battery that
is partially discharged, and needs charging.  This is what a
"battery charger" is usually used for - note the name.  This solar
panel is essentially useless for this purpose because the current
output is so low.  At best, it would take all summer to charge the
battery once.  In comparison, a cheap 10 A AC-powered battery
charger will fully charge a car battery in a fraction of a day.

Finally, keeping a battery fully charged might prolong its life
a bit, but it certainly won't make it last forever.  That part
of the ad is a simple lie.

Summary: If you have a car or boat that is seldom run, this solar
device may be useful.  But if you need to recharge a partially-
discharged battery, forget it.