Is a Solar Powered Battery Charger Good for Charging a Trailer Battery that Powers a Winch

Updated 11/21/2016 | Published 11/19/2016

Products Featured in This Question

2.5-Watt Solar Battery Charger

(119)

$42.25

Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger - Dual Input - DC to DC - 12V/24V - 40 Amp

(87)

$620.00

Question:

Not sure which solar battery charger would work best for battery operated winch on a car hauler. 2.5 watt solar battery charger or goal zero maintainer 10 trickle charge solar charger.

asked by: Bernadette K

Expert Reply:

A solar powered charger such as # PTW2997 is a great option but can take a long time to charge a battery; especially a battery large enough to power a winch. If you go solar make sure that the battery is fully charged before winching so that the charge (hopefully) lasts the whole time you need the winch. That way you aren't relying on a charger to charge up the battery since it will take a while.

Another option is a DC to DC charger that you can keep mounted on the trailer and attach the 12 volt hot lead from a 7-Way to. It will charge a battery faster than a solar charger. We have one, # 331-BCDC1240D. It can also have a solar panel attached to it if needed. This charger will not only charge the battery and do it faster than solar power but can also recondition a battery allowing it to last longer. A viable option if you use the winch a lot.

expert reply by: Michael H