The unit tested here was sold in Canadian Tire under the house brands "MotoMaster" and "Eliminator" for $29.95 CAD. However it is identical in appearance, and has identical specifications, to the Sunforce model 50012 12V 1.8W (125mAh) solar charger.
The house brand appears to have been discontinued; it is no longer on the Canadian Tire web site, and only the Sunforce version was available in local stores at various prices. However, the Eliminator version is still widely available on eBay (as of publication of this article).
Features of the Sunforce 12V 1.8A Solar Power Panel
The Sunforce 12V 1.8A Solar Power Panel has the following features, according to the manufacturer:
- Maintains car, SUV, Boat, ATV, and power pack Batteries
- Easy Installation
- Charges in all weather conditions (voltage varies with light level)
- Plugs into cigarette lighter for automotive use
- Alligator battery clamps included for boat, ATV, or power pack use.
- Mounts on windshield or side window with suction cups, included
- Frame and backing: ABS Plastic
- Solar panel: amorphous silicon with glass cover
- Temperature Range: -40° to 176° F
- Max Output 1.8 Watts (125 mAh)
Sunforce 50012 Solar Battery Charger Specifications
- Product Name: 1.8 Watt Solar Battery Maintainer
- Product Number: 50012 (Sunforce)
- Warranty 5 Years
- Accessories Included: Male DC (cigarette lighter) Plug, Alligator Battery Clamps & Suction Cups (MotoMaster version also included 0.25 barrel plug)
- Country of Origin: China
- External Dimensions: 20" x 1.5" x 6.5"
- Weight :1.4 Lbs.
- Inner Dimensions 7.9" x 7.3" x 20.1" (exposed area of solar panel)
Comparing Sunforce 50014 1W and 50012 1.8W Chargers
How does the Motomastor Eliminator (Sunforce 50012) 1.8W solar battery charger compare with the Sunforce 50014 Solar Sports Charger?
Aside from the similarity that both are 12W chargers and the obvious difference in wattage and milliamp-hour ratings, the major similarities and differences are
- The 510014 (1W) is weatherproof, while the 50012 (1.8W) is NOT, requiring the 50012 to be located inside the vehicle for charging (this is also a good idea for theft prevention)
- The 50012 has a larger exposed solar panel
- The 50014 has overcharge protection; the 50012 does NOT
- Both solar chargers have reverse discharge protection (a simple blocking diode, in all likelihood)
- The 50014 has a 1 year warranty; 5 years on the 50012.
- The 50012 delivers closer to its rated power under load than the 50014 (see tests, below)
Testing the Sunforce 50012 12V 1.8W Solar Charger
The Sunforce 50012 Solar Charger will provide a trickle current at a sufficient voltage to maintain the charge on a small lead-acid battery. However, this unit will not not be able to charge a fully discharged battery.
The Sunforce 1.8W solar charger will deliver peak performance under ideal conditions, which include
- Clear, sunny skies with no overcast
- Car window or windshield wiped clean
- Solar panel wiped clean of fingerprints or film
- Panel mounted so that it faces south and will receive direct sunlight for as much time as possible
- Panel oriented perpendicular to the sun (tilted or mounted to window or windscreen rather than laid flat on dash)
Under these conditions, at an ambient temperature of +8 °C, the panel delivered the rated 1.8W of power.
- 22.5 V @ 125 mA (no load)
- 20.4 V @ 85 mA running a 12V electric motor (1.7 W)
- 12.7 V @ 44.8 mA charging the lead-acid battery in an SUV (almost fully charged) (0.57 W)
The suction cups, intended to stick the charger to a window, did not always stay attached to either the glass or to the charger frame. If the solar panel is affixed to glass using the suction cups, it is best to ensure that the weight of the panel rests against the dashboard or the door panel. Under these conditions, the unit will remain in place.
Conclusions
Based on the tests, and in comparison to the manufacturer's quoted features for both the 50012 and 50014, the following conclusions should be helpful to anyone looking to buy a Sunforce charger:
- The Sunforce 50012, because of its larger solar panel area, delivers a higher current than its smaller cousin, the 50014 Solar Power Sports Charger, making it more effective for maintaining charge on larger (higher CCA) batteries.
- Its lack of overcharge protection makes it unsuitable for smaller 12V batteries unless monitored; for that, the Power Sports Charger is preferred.
- The fact that the 50012 is not weatherproof may make it unsuitable for field charging (tractor, quad) in all but ideal conditions.
Similar products:Sunforce Solar Sports Charger
Thomas Alan Gray - Tom has been writing for over 30 years; curiosity leads him to dig into a wide variety of topics.
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