GLPoomobile 958 Posted March 5, 2007 I was thinking of getting one of these solar charger and fitting it in my car. Since I don't drive it much, the battery goes flat if I leave it for more than 2 weeks without a drive. Just wondered if they are much cop, or a waste of time? And the car is on the street, so no access to mains power before anyone mentions using a a battery conditioner or something like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildCards 0 Posted March 5, 2007 Spose so. Stick it on the dash and leave it. Seem cheap enough, give it a go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robsbc 0 1 Cars Posted March 5, 2007 Spose so. Stick it on the dash and leave it. Seem cheap enough, give it a go. Tried one as was having same sort of problem as you...Didn't help, only cure was to buy a new house with garage and use a trickle charger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemagical 1 Posted March 5, 2007 would a new battery not help? my car was unused for about 3 weeks and started first time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted March 5, 2007 Tried one as was having same sort of problem as you...Didn't help, only cure was to buy a new house with garage and use a trickle charger. OK, I'll have another look through the Machine Mart catalogue and see if they have any houses for sale. Hope they are not more than about £40 though. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fencer 0 Posted March 6, 2007 Tried one as was having same sort of problem as you...Didn't help, only cure was to buy a new house with garage and use a trickle charger. sounds some good advice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted March 6, 2007 the 18watt one might be effective, but the 2watt one won't do sh*t Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted March 6, 2007 would a new battery not help? my car was unused for about 3 weeks and started first time. Not great idea, if it goes flat then battery life is significantly reduced so best to take the neg lead off and/or remove teh battery and charge if on a regular basis. Re-fit battery when needed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted March 6, 2007 So with all things considered then, I guess I just need to go for a good drive once a week. I won't be taking the neg lead off as I prefer to have the alarm working, even if it is the smallest of deterents! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemagical 1 Posted March 6, 2007 it turns out that it takes 4 weeks for my battery to go flat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard 0 Posted March 7, 2007 the 2 watts one wont do anything mate. I have one and its a load of old tosh if you leave anything on. your alarm for example will probably suck most of that away on its own. Combined with earth leaks etc... Get the 18w one. That should at least provide some current for the battery. I'll be getting one at some point in the near future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted March 7, 2007 Just don't think I can justify the cost of the 18w one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted March 7, 2007 (edited) Just don't think I can justify the cost of the 18w one! depends how often you have to replace your battery i guess, three or four batteries would = the cost of that (ish) i think Edited March 7, 2007 by tom_m Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorr 0 Posted March 7, 2007 I would just stick on a bigger battery. My standard battery would drain after 2 weeks, stuck on one from a Clio diesel and it managed to start with no issue after being left for over 3 weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted March 7, 2007 Incidentally, I was trawling the FCCUK forum last night and one of the guys on there had commented that he had a £35 solar charger on his boat and it would be fine after being left for months. Having said that, he probably doesn't have an alarm draining his boat battery! I've asked him what it is and where he got it anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gizzmo 3 1 Cars Posted March 7, 2007 got one to charges battery to run lights in me garage as i have no permanent supply. works ok. havent riged it up to to charge the car battery though, but can,t see any problem but setting the panel to the right orientation can be a bit of a problem as it has to be mounted at around 70deg and facing the arc of the sun for best results, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard 0 Posted March 8, 2007 Another consideration is the tinting of the windows. This will knock down the amount of current being produced. So that 2w panel may only give you 1w in bright sunlight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted March 8, 2007 I would just stick on a bigger battery. My standard battery would drain after 2 weeks, stuck on one from a Clio diesel and it managed to start with no issue after being left for over 3 weeks. thats a good point actually, my battery is a diesel spec, its been left for at least three weeks and still fired first time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
