Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer Review

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The Solar Panel: Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer

With the more we learn about power, the more we understand that it is not infinite. I believe that many people expect to turn on lights, machines and other objects that use electricity and expect them to work every time. Some people don’t even realize that certain items need electricity! If you’re going to use the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer I’m guessing that you know what you’re doing. If you don’t, it might not be for you.

Best Uses

In the questions section on Amazon.com, one person asked if you could us the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer to work a stereo and their TV. Now, first, that person should be asking themselves why they’re even going camping if their bringing their home audio/visual entertainment system with them. Second, that isn’t what the Schumacher Battery Maintainer is for.

This device is a “Maintainer”. This is not going to get you out of a jam if you’re car battery dies in the parking lot because you left your lights on when you spent the day at the mall. This is going to maintain the batteries on the machines and devices that you may not use as often and want to get the most out of your batteries like second cars, ATV’s and riding lawn mowers.

Specifications

Features:

  • It is environmentally safe
  • No electricity needed for operation
  • Amorphous technology allows charging on cloudy days
  • Rated for indoor and outdoor use
  • Complete with battery clamps and 12 Volt plug

Technical Specs:

  • Charger Type: Manual
  • Accessory: Quick Connect Clamps, Auxiliary Plug Adapter
  • Amperage Control: Push-button
  • RoHS Compliant: No
  • Energy Star Compliant: No
  • Certifications: UL
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Dimensions: 0.5″ x 7.4″ x 14.6″
  • Weight: 1.7lbs 

Price

The Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer isn’t going to break the bank. It lists for $49.99 but it can be found for as low as $23.00.

This isn’t the solution to your all your power needs though, so don’t go thinking that this is going to power your entire life for you. This is a maintainer, not a complete charger.

Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer Reviews

The Good

I want to make it clear again: this is a MAINTAINER, no a charger! If there are complaints about this unit, that is usually the source.

If you’re looking for a maintainer, the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer works as advertised. Most reviewers that love this unit use it to make sure that the batteries in their cars, ATVs or other 12 volt battery devices and machines. If you don’t use these types of machines very often, the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer is going to make sure that they’re ready for you when you do.

The other great thing about the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer is that it doesn’t need direct sunlight to work so cloudy days aren’t going to ruin you.

The Bad

There are some definite downfalls to this device, but most of them come from people not really understanding what it is for and thinking it is a charger. IT ISN’T A CHARGER!

That point being driven home are not the only complaints that people have. Most notable is the fact that the charging chords are somewhat short. Yes, there are both battery clamps and a cigarette lighter inputs. However, it does need to be noted that if you’re using the cigarette lighter, it won’t work if your particular vehicle’s battery is not attached to the wiring in the cigarette lighters. Make sure you check that if you’re using it in that. It’s not the end of the world, but you will have to hook this up directly to your battery, which may be too much of a pain for some people.

Also lacking are charge controls and status lights. There is no way to tell if the Schumacher SP-200 2.4W Solar Battery Maintainer is doing its job with a status light and, if you leave it plugged in, it is going to keep charging. While this unit doesn’t necessarily have enough power to do too much harm, you should be aware of this.

Recommendation

I’m going to say it one last time: This is not a charger. If you’re looking for something that is going to charge your electric equipment or set up a home theater in the middle of the woods, this isn’t it. This is for those people who continuously find dead batteries waiting for them in their cars or other recreational vehicles that use batteries. You could do worse.