Don't get fooled by specs. A solar panel rated at 4 watts will rarely put out more than 2.5 watts in bright sunshine. That 4 watts is basically theorectical and only happens in rare situtions with extreme cold weather and a few other factors like snow cover and high reflection. Solar panels over-produce in cold temps. Long story short - a 4 watt panel is worthless for what you want. If you have a lot of sun, it could be used as a battery maintainer, not a charger.
Also, 6 volt panels are not common. Even 12 volt panels are getting a bit scarce, as 24, 48, and 72 volts become more common. You might need a controller if you buy certain panels - and with a controller - you have more loss.
Take tha 2.5 watts - and you've got less then 1/2 amp at 6 volts - which isn't much.
I live in a poor sunshine area of New York, and I have several solar battery maintainers for tractors that spend most of their lives sitting. I use 15 watt panels and they work well enough to maintain batteries that are already charged. Not to charge run down batteries.
You can buy some pretty good 15 watt panels with battery cables for $60 if you shop around.
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Today's Featured Article - A Lifetime of Farm Machinery - by Joe Michaels. I am a mechanical engineer by profession, specializing in powerplant work. I worked as a machinist and engine erector, with time spent overseas. I have always had a love for machinery, and an appreciation for farming and farm machinery. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Not a place one would associate with farms or farm machinery. I credit my parents for instilling a lot of good values, a respect for learning, a knowledge of various skills and a little knowledge of farming in me, amo
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