Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
Cheap Solar Powered Battery Charger
If any of you are interested, Maplin do a car solar battery charger that sits on the dash and plugs in through the accessory socket to keep the battery in tip-top charge whilst you are away. Probably not necessary if you use the car every day, but if you don't...
Anyway this panel outputs enough to trickle the battery and even works here in the dark north. I went to get another on Friday as my existing one sits connected to the 'summer car' in the garage over the winter. The nice lady in Maplin rang it up, told me it was £19.99 then said that if I wait until Wednesday this week (21st) it is reduced to £9.99 as a special offer. She then cancelled the sale and said she would put one aside for me! What a nice lady.
This is a really good gadget and for £9.99 it is a bargain. And since mine is being kept aside, I can tell all of you about it.
If you're going to use it with the D3 you'll have to connect it directly to the battery as the 12v sockets are only live when the ignition is onThe End
Yep 'spose you could do that too. Question then is is it up to the job of charging a D3 battery which requires a bit more 'oomph' than a normal car battery for a proper charge, if it's just trickle charging then maybe it'll do enough to keep it viable until it's next started
Hmmm, queue TFC to give us the facts and figures me thinks The End
18th Feb 2007 11:34 pm
Alex08
Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
It is designed as a top up - I wouldn't use it to charge a flat battery - that would take a VERY long time. But is enough to cope with replacing the drain from all the bits you can't switch off. As I said it keeps the SLK charged up over the winter months when it only gets the occasional outing.
I've just put a standard car battery charger (set to trickle) on a timer switch in my garage. Every day for 15 minutes the battery is getting a wee top-up. Don't know if there is wisdom in this or not
slk.....summer car????....wimp!.....thats what the roof is for, now, an aerial atom....that IS a summer car 2007 HSE Java Black.....sold
2007 B150 Horizon Blue
2008 Toyota Aygo Platinum
--------------------------------------------------
The Master of Suave !
Ding-Dong Matron
19th Feb 2007 12:13 pm
Alex08
Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
You mean that the roof comes off on the SLK?
Now living in Glasgow you will know that a summer car has a roof! Or a large drain hole in the bottom.
19th Feb 2007 3:27 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72788
Alex08 wrote:
Or to the live towing electrics pin? It comes with battery crocodile clips or the accessory plug.
Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
Yes - that is it.
19th Feb 2007 4:27 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72788
How will you get a permanently live accessory socket??
19th Feb 2007 4:29 pm
Alex08
Member Since: 09 Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1600
As said above - there is the towing pin option. On the SLK I just attach directly to the battery. On the D3 I plan to make a slight modification to allow access to a permanently live feed inside the car. That way the panel can sit on the dash when in use. It has to be disconnected before starting the car though.
It's maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but it suits my needs.
Got one to day just to try it on the off road trailer to keep the battery topped up 8)Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication [email protected] D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
21st Feb 2007 12:05 pm
stapldm
Member Since: 11 Sep 2006
Location: Swine Town
Posts: 2330
I got one of these for Mrs S' car - which was struggling to start as it is only used for short < 5 mile journeys once or twice a week when the Disco isn't available. The journey time never comes close to restoring the charge used during the start. I too picked it up for £9.99 last year from Maplins, and believed there was no chance it could make a difference. Wrong!
From failing to turn over at every other start attempt, the car now starts first time every time, even when it's been cloudy all week. The panel points North and never gets direct sunlight.
Thanks for the heads-up re-the special price, I will be getting another one for the Disco!
p.s. I checked the voltage in bright sunlight - 18 to 24 volts open circuit! This drops to close to the battery voltage when connected and current starts to flow. The flashing blue LED looks Halfords warrior naff, but I believe this causes the voltage/current to pulse up and down slightly to assist the charging process; so far not enough for the alarm to think it's being tampered with. Mine has a strip of black tape over the LED to introduce a semblance of taste... Dr. Ian Malcolm:
"Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
Transgenic tomato anyone?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
