HELP! Need answers on “Solargizer” project.

I have happened upon a Solargizer, which, from my understanding is a solar battery charger. For those unfamiliar with this item, I will describe it....It is one solar panel that is 4.5"x 5.5". It has 2 wires, one black and one red, coming from the panel and going to a small black box, which I do not know what it does, but I am sure that someone here does. Two other wires then leave the black box and have attachemnt points, basically washers, on the end. This device is found by searching, "Solargizer IS-24-L 735x150". It is commonly sold to the US military for charging 24v batteries on HMMVWs. Ok...so here is what I want to do. I want to be able to use this thing, assuming it works. I have also acquire d a 12V 8Ah AGM cell battery that is common for RC cars. It is manufactured by Power Patrol batteries and has the product #RCE1250. It has two connections on the top, one positive and one ground I assume- is this correct? From my research on the Solargizer I have discovered it has a small red light on top of the black box that indicates that it is charging. I have connected the battery to the connections from the Solargizer (Connected simply by touching/crimp). When placing the whole system in direct sunlight, I did not see the red light and assume the battery was not charging. I do not even know where to begin on assessing where I may be wrong, but I was hoping that someone would be able to help me out. GOAL: I would like to be able to charge the 12v battery and eventually hook it up to a 120ac inverter in order to charge small electronics. I am aware that I will get all sorts of responses being that this is the internet, but I assume that in a professional forum, I will get professional responses. I am willing to try nearly anything to get this to work or to troubleshoot the problem. I have attached a picture of the setup and below is the key for that. Thank you for taking the time to look at this and assess the problem(s). A-SMALL BLACK SOLARGIZER BOX. HAS "SOLARGIZER BATTERY MAINTENANCE SYSTEM" WRITTEN ON OUTSIDE. B-12V AGM CELL POWER PATROL BATTERY. READS "SEALED AGM MAINTENANCE FREE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY" IT IS A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND HAS NOT BEEN USED. C-SMALL SOLAR PANEL DESCRIBE ABOVE. PART OF SOLARGIZER SYSTEM.

You mentioned 24V batty and then you mention trying to charge a 12V battery? Something is amiss. Also you should disconnect the battery and check the voltage of the leads going to the battery )no load) to see what that voltage. My guess is that the voltage you measure will be lower than the 12V battery and therefore will never charge.

Ok. That sounds like it might clear up some of the issues. I do know what you are saying about the 12V battery. I thought it would be able to charge it either way. Guess not. Like I said, just had these pieces around the house and figured I would try and rig something up. Maybe it isn't going to work, but if anyone has answers on how I could get a Solargizer to function properly or check its ability to do so, that would be good. I will check the voltage on the leads tommorow, as it is dark at the current time. Once again, if anyone has more information on the Solargizer or systems of this sort and know how to utilize them correctly it would be much appreciated.

Well at least measure it. Let's say it's low, then you need more solar cells, better to actually get a one piece that supplies let's say 15 - 20V and more amp capacity. Not good to try hooking up different types and makes of cells.

Solar cells can be bought on the web, I wouldn't say a dime a dozen but inexpensive. Now the converter box, is a different issue if you don't know the specs. So is your goal to use 120VAC, then if that goes or is unavailable run off the solar panels, both or what?

I really think it boils down to that converter box and what exactly the specs are, who knows it may work.

Oke the black box is a simple battery charger.
As you know by know you can not expect more than 2 - 3 watt & 8 hours sunshine is only on lucky days so it is best to work with 6 hours.

as a result a 5 watt LED light will give a 2 hours light.
Also it is best not to discharge the battery below 50%, so it gives 1 hour light.
What you have is used to avoid that self discharge of battery's not to recharge after loading.

For what you want look for solar battery.
p.s. a 50 Watt Eee pc asus ( i am typeing on it now) needs a 160Watt 24V panel to charge and give 5 hours work.

These Solargizers came out around 15 - 20 years ago. They are NOT designed to charge a dead battery. Given that the tiny panel is only around 3 Watts, it would provide max 200mA @ 13.5V during a sunny day. These units are designed to keep a charged battery charged when it is not being actively used in a vehicle i.e. battery not getting charged via a vehicle's charging system enough to keep up with normal self-discharge. Also, so the manufacturer claims, the patented circuitry has a pulse charge feature in which some of the charge current is diverted into a capacitor and later released in a pulse. The theory on that is that it prevents or slows down cell plate sulfation. Pallet loads of Solargizers were sold to Uncle Sam to keep the batteries in military vehicles charged up when they are idled for extended periods of time. Consequently, the Solargizer is ideal for an RV or other personal vehicle that is not run very often. I have been using one on my old pickup truck which may go for several months without being started. It always starts, even if I have to pour a little gasoline down the carburetor and crank the engine for a while -- the battery has enough reserve to start the engine. So the Solargizer isn't 100% Snake Oil. However, one could do better with a larger used 50W solar panel. I don't know how much the pulse technology actually adds to the battery's life.

Sorry I missed this awhile ago, but if your still watching, this the Solargizer is a form of charge controller, you can think of it as a voltage regulator. Solar panels really don't have a standard operating voltage like batteries. They will operate within a range of voltages. So to charge a battery you need to:
1. Limit output voltage so you don't overcharge the battery
2. Prevent battery drain so that the battery does not discharge during the night
3. Operate the solar panel in an manner that maximizes the output of the panel.

The best charge controllers are MPPT which is too big a subject to go into here. The next best and cheaper are PWM controllers that should cost less than $100 US. They are sold based on amps, The higher amps that the unit can handle the more they cost. Your small solar panel will only require a small unit so I would expect to pay about $20 for one that will do what you want. Many are field settable for 12 or 24 volt so you may be able to charge those batteries properly.

A quick web search came up with one that's cheap($8.99). I have no experience with this brand and this is not an endorsement:
http://www.lightinthebox.com/y-solar-20a-sola...r-12v-24v-auto-switch-cmp12-20a_p2916540.html

Honestly the solar panel in your pic is very small and to fully charge a auto battery could take a few sunny days.