[Shop-talk] Solar car battery chargers

[Randall]

> It says it has a constant desulphation phase--can the EEs opine on 
> whether that's marketing speak or legit

Probably legit, as that's the way most of them seem to work.  "Constant"
meaning it repeats over and over of course.

>  I 
> also don't see anything on that page that says (to a 
> moron--me) that it 
> regulates the charge and so won't overcook the battery when 
> it's topped off.

IMO it's basically self-limiting, due to limited power output and limited
duty cycle (only supplies power when exposed to sunlight).  Plus, the
desulfating circuit must draw a certain amount of power itself.  According
to their data sheet at
http://www.pulsetech.net/productinfo/product_sheets/SolarPulse_Specs.pdf
the 2 watt version won't even keep up with a 20ma drain.

> Is that the one I should buy?

Sorry, no comment on that.  I've not tried any of them as yet.

Randall